My husband and I are thinking about buying a used truck that we came across from a private owner. It is a 93 freightliner with a new rebuilt motor in it. Only has 350 miles on is so far. It will need a new windsheild and 3 new tires to pass Dot inspaction. Private is only asking $6100 with !/2 down and $500 a month for 6 months till paid off. We figured it would take around another $3000 to get it ready to hit the road, figuring in plates and everything else we'll need. We have always wanted to get our own truck and see this as an opportunity with out going in way over our heads. My husband has is an experienced driver and I have my permit .With our own truck I would be able to get my lisence by using our own truck and having my husband be the trainer. He has checked with a company that told him they would let him lease on with them paying him 80% of the loads.We figured that we would be spending around $10,000 for every 10,000 miles driven. Those figures are based on todays fuel prices. If fuel reaches $6 bucks a gallon or more the exspenses go up and our income goes down. At this point we are doing alot of hard thinking on if we should or should,nt make this move. I know there are alot of O/O out there and just wanting to get your oppinion. Even with the high fuel prices is it still profitable if you watch what you spend. I suppose alot depends on what the shippers are willing to pay too.

Well for starters operating cost should be way more than $1 a mile.

Heck my fuel is at that right now.

Figure in these things

Insurance (mine runs about $600 for cargo, truck, trailer a month)

Taxes

Permits

Maintence

Repairs

Now if you start working for him, I think he will be required to carry workman's comp and that is PRICEY.

Why lease on? Leasing on in my eyes is letting someone have you by the balls.

Get your authority, sure there is more paperwork, but heck thats part of doing business and then you get 100% unless you use a broker and they take their cut.

PM me and I will PM you my phone number and you can call me and I will give you some information. You might get some postive, negative responses on here but you have to take everything with a grain of salt.

You are borrowing the money to start? Fuel is at an all time high. ALL major carriers are letting drivers go. You want to lease on with a company. DON'T be emotional about investments. I've always wanted to own a jet but I don't do it because it doesn't make financial sense. Neither does buying a cheap truck to go carting stuff all across the country. So the engine is rebuilt huh? What are you going to do to pay for repairs when it breaks. Credit Card. DO you have 78 million in cash laying around like Werner Enterprises? Be a company driver or stay at home.

Try local container hauling first....

Well they can't be company drivers, all the major carriers are letting people go. Isn't that what you said? Give me a break.

I think the advantages of you two doing this together will out weigh the negs that are trucking today. On those beautiful days out west ,it will have meant somthing to you.When days the god of trucking is crapping all over you,it wont be so bad.Youll just stop in cafe get some grub and figure it out. Your hubby should know the obvious pitfuls as far lousy runs etc.--------------ALSO,your 1$ per mile is too low.Fuel will be 85 to125 cents per mile depending on load and terrain.# $5 PER GALLON.So you need to adjust your method in computing your cost.You have to separate the fixed cost such as ins.and other monthly items.AND THE rolling cost fuel,tires,oil change ,maintance,communication ,personal expences, unpaid dead head miles ,some motels ,etc.then combine them to see how many miles you need to run per week to clear ,say,$600 week. Now add these three #s together including the $600 and this is your break even point.---NOW ADD what you expect to make per week,making means you put in your bank account and dont use for bisness expences at all! This is your earnings.NOW all this together to see what you get as a result?-----Many 0/0 finds good paying runs to offset the low paying runs that do little more than cover cost to the next gravy run. --------------------I still think you should go for it,youll have a good time together! But you need to avoid being used by the industry,I mean really push back ,so you can make a living.ALSO dont forget you will some time off. You need to kwow your total cost.So when some one offers you $1.35 mile you know how much you will (lose) oops,I mean make.--------In a few months you have it all pinned down and making some money. I STILL SAY GO FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE COUPLE THING,BUT,There is one more thing! The truck you are thinking buying is too old to going nation wide non stop trucking in my opinion,Unless,it has been maintained to a very high standard.A rebuilt engine is a very VAGUE term, lose one bearing and !*#$^&$$$#*^*(&T*$$$(*&. A 93 is a very old truck today.But you are right in not wanting a big $ truck loan.A 93 may be too old for some companies. you need to be a very keen shopper and have a real pro check it out before you buy.------I hope some other o/o would chime in on the truck item. BUT,I SAY DO IT JUST PLAN TO DO IT SMART. -------GOOD FORTUNE , GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE WILD BLUE YONDER,---HANDYMAN.:yes2 557:

Hey a 93 is not too old to go nation wide, heck I drive a 89 425 cat mechanical and it is problaly more reliable than most newer trucks. Heck a buddy of mine owns a trucking company and he bought a brand new 379 last year and got 300 miles and was on the side of the road.

Trucks can be rebuilt over and over again and last FOREVER.

Why lease on? Please explain to me the benfiets of leasing versus having your own authoirty BigRedInternational.

I have my own authority and would NEVER lease on!!!!!!

his new 379 was under warranty. but I agree, some what.-----It depends some on this couples mechanical experience etc.

350K, try 1,350,000. 1993, could be even more.

I just gotten out of a 1993 Pete, and the owner of it is selling it, She made nothing, for she was paying all on fuel. I made more than she did. I been paid so far 1700.00 and she been paid 900.00, and she still owes me 2 weeks of running plus expenses..

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you should make more then the owner of the truck does.