How many years should I work with my company before buying my own truck - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

collegeman gone trucking · **^ Top** #1 06.29.2008

I have only had my CDL (class A) for a year and two months, and I just started working for a great company ( UPS ), but at some point, I would like to own truck and start a business.

1. How long should I work as a company driver before trying to purchase a truck?

2. When I do decide to start my own business, I am going to try and purchase a good used tractor: example- 1999 freightliner (cost-$16,000 600,000 miles or more ), then try to go through an on-line broker. I would try and only get loads that pick up and deliver withing a 300-mile radius of my city, so that I will not put too much stress on an old truck, as well as keep fuel costs and other overhead low, and also so that I can still be within reach of my family.

Does the above seem realistic, or am I dreaming?

Lastly, If it is possible to work that way, in your valuable opinion, what kind of income can I expect to make, or what pitfalls am I headed for?

need your valuable and wise advise...... Hold nothing back!!!!

Thanks in advance.....

broncrider · **^ Top** #2 06.29.2008

[/quote] need your valuable and wise advise...... Hold nothing back!!!! [/quote]

run thier truck for a few years, then look at your situation

you will go broke runnin nothin but broker loads, and its gonna be alot differant than runnin for ups

think about it hard and alot

ssbowles · **^ Top** #3 06.29.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by collegeman gone trucking

1. How long should I work as a company driver before trying to purchase a truck?

Thanks in advance.....

With the way fuel prices and everything are going today, there's no way in hell I'd even consider buying a truck right now. Unless of course you had a really good "connection" to some good freight. Also, and I don't mean to offend you, but you don't seem to have a great deal of knowledge about owning and running your own business. Again, I don't mean that as a slam, just saying that you don't seem to be real sure about what you're stepping into.

walleye · **^ Top** #4 06.29.2008

Holy jumped up crumps, You's landed a gig with BIG BROWN, and you want to get goofy and go buy a truck and run yourself broke.
Dosen't UPS have the highest wages, Best Insurance and PENSION in the WHOLE INDUSTRY!!!!!!!!!!
I would think it would be a good idea to see how things go with UPS, and wait to see what happens to the rest of the economy.
You can buy a truck anytime, BUT as I understand it once you leave UPS they will not let you come back.
And for the record I would just about kill for a UPS feeder driver position, I know I would bust out the cutting torch and send my entire rig to the scrap yard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Country · **^ Top** #5 06.30.2008

What exactly are you doing at UPS package delivery or feeder driver, or are you with UPS Freight. Walleye I wouldn't go as far as saying they have the best of everything things aren't what they used to be at UPS. I see he works for UPS Freight.

heyns57 · **^ Top** #6 06.30.2008

The old rule of thumb was six years. However, six years with a company where you call them with your cell phone whenever there is a breakdown is not sufficient. You need experience repairing your own equipment, whether you got it on the farm or driving irregular route for a small fleet owner. Basically, you can not afford to take your truck to a dealership for repairs.

DarkKnight · **^ Top** #7 06.30.2008

need your valuable and wise advise...... Hold nothing back!!!! [/quote]

run thier truck for a few years, then look at your situation

you will go broke runnin nothin but broker loads, and its gonna be alot differant than runnin for ups

think about it hard and alot[/quote]

So why will you go broke running broker loads ?

Ron-MARS Trucking · **^ Top** #8 06.30.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by collegeman gone trucking

I have only had my CDL (class A) for a year and two months, and I just started working for a great company ( UPS ), but at some point, I would like to own truck and start a business.

1. How long should I work as a company driver before trying to purchase a truck? (When you have enough in the bank to sustain you 3-5 months)

2. When I do decide to start my own business, I am going to try and purchase a good used tractor: example- 1999 freightliner (cost-$16,000 600,000 miles or more ), (Are you nuts???? Buy a KW or a Pete, better resale value and more dependability) then try to go through an on-line broker. I would try and only get loads that pick up and deliver withing a 300-mile (I usually find loads less than 25 miles from my yard) (remember, as an O/O., you don't get paid to deadhead) radius of my city, so that I will not put too much stress on an old truck, as well as keep fuel costs and other overhead low, and also so that I can still be within reach of my family.

Does the above seem realistic, or am I dreaming? (Keep perusing the board and get a feel for it. No matter what we say, we're not you and you are not us. More often than not, you'll have to find your own way no matter what anyone else says. Basically, learn from our mistakes and our successes.)

Lastly, If it is possible to work that way, in your valuable opinion, what kind of income can I expect to make, or what pitfalls am I headed for?

need your valuable and wise advise...... Hold nothing back!!!!

Thanks in advance.....

You prove my point.
Truckers come from all walks of life good luck to you

elharrison · **^ Top** #9 06.30.2008

yeah i think 2-5 years will get you the idea of the business...i want to go O/O someday but right now im still learning the ropes, i think everyday i learn something new about the trucking industry

good luck to ya!!

2fuzy · **^ Top** #10 07.02.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by collegeman gone trucking

I have only had my CDL (class A) for a year and two months, and I just started working for a great company ( UPS ), but at some point, I would like to own truck and start a business.

1. How long should I work as a company driver before trying to purchase a truck?

2. When I do decide to start my own business, I am going to try and purchase a good used tractor: example- 1999 freightliner (cost-$16,000 600,000 miles or more ), then try to go through an on-line broker. I would try and only get loads that pick up and deliver withing a 300-mile radius of my city, so that I will not put too much stress on an old truck, as well as keep fuel costs and other overhead low, and also so that I can still be within reach of my family.

Does the above seem realistic, or am I dreaming?

Lastly, If it is possible to work that way, in your valuable opinion, what kind of income can I expect to make, or what pitfalls am I headed for?

need your valuable and wise advise...... Hold nothing back!!!!

Thanks in advance.....

Your Dreaming but thats OK it all starts there
but before advice can be givin I have to ask why you want to be in biz for yourself ?
and do you really have what it takes which is BLB (Brains luck and Balls) better to reley most on the first one because the more brains the less of the other two you need
And does your family want to do the struggles with you ?

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