Sounds like a plan.

WOW... I hadn't been able to check this to see the responses but thanks to all who have chimed in, now let me answer a few questions...

Of course any O/O would love run to 3,000 miles or more per week however I did this analysis based on the premise that freight is so hard to come by that I could only muster up 2,000 per week; my prayer is that I could do much more than that!

I don't drive currently, but I have had my CDL for 14 years and have driven over the road for several years during that time!

My numbers didn't include medical as that is simply too hard to calculate without accurate figures from your insurance company and quite honestly many O/O's don't have any anyway. I would like to highlight that the Health Savings Acct. is a WISE TOOL and every businessman should have one, truckers included! And while we are on this subject, you should also set up a self directed IRA for retirement...

Thus far no one touched this but what reefer/van O/O out there can tell us how reasonable would it be to expect to average at least $1.30 per mile pulling reefer freight. I have seen many quote much higher average rates so I am thinking that finding this freight should be fairly reasonable....

Again, I can't help but feel good and be proud that this discussion has produced plenty of great information and hopefully many more will chime in with their insights and expertise...

I too agree with another driver in response to your comment about waiting until the economy turns around... unfortunately no one has a clue how long that will really take and more importantly at the time it does recover so will higher truck prices as well.

My thinking was I wanted to get in and get entrenched with my team of ace in the hole brokers now while things aren't as rosy so that when it does turn around I am already in very good with them and have done plenty of business with them so that I become one of the obvious choices for delivering their freight....

I agree... and in my summary I said as much! Secondly, please dispute my numbers, this isn't personal instead I am just putting out there a theory/educated guess as to what anyone could possibly do in trucking based on what I am wanting to do. But I do want to hear your insights on this as I am sure it will be a teachable moment for all who care to listen...

But there is a BIG "quality of life" issue that lurks in these numbers! Like I said, I initially refuted (in my mind) a guy on here who said he needed $1.42 just to break-even.... but I now see just how truthful that was!

when you get into reefers then you have reefer fuel anywhere from 10 - 25 gallons a day depending on the product temps and your unit , washouts, and all the other maintenance that goes with it on top of other expences

@112racing - you are so right, i didn't factor any reefer fuel; i have been seeing some reefer units 53 footers, 99-00 priced in the $9k-$11k range any thoughts.

initially i will most likely lease a trailer, unless i get a great deal on a truck trailer package (would really like someone to owner finance me a truck!)

I think you have refuted your own numbers. By the time you add in your refer fuel taxes and food for on the road you would be down to almost nothing.

Is that amount of money worth being away for days or weeks at the time? I look to pay myself $1500 per week and any over that is profit for the truck. BUT, my truck and trailer is paid for and I have medical for my family through the military.

I think you could probably do better leasing on to a small company who has some dedicated customers. They might could get you out then you would only need the load boards to get back in or they may have a dedicated route you could run. If you find one that will allow you to find your own loads it would give you more flexibility. I work for one that will let us and we have no forced dispatch on the o/o.

As someone else stated, you may have problems with a new MC number just finding a broker that will work with you.

Also, did you consider the 40 to 60 day wait for some of them to pay. At the kind of pay you would be making, one broker or company who doesn't pay, Let's just use $2000 for example, would take your salary away for a month. In times like these this will happen sooner or later.

I know I am new to trucking, I started out as an o/o leased on to my brothers company. We are a small company (15 trucks, 9 are o/o) but with his contacts we have been able to stay busy. I'm sure that if any of us were making these kind of numbers we would find other work. His company drivers are taking home close to double that after taxes...

It is just my opinion that the ones running for these kind of rates on a regular bases (or for their average) will eventually put themselves out of business either by having a non-payer, or a major breakdown that is not coverd under warrenty or even somthing that happens at home. This is not a profitable rate, it is a road to bankruptcy. When all the ones accepting these rates go broke the industry will improve. The sooner the better.

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Semper Fi
Mc

G-Daddy cadi, I'm a little confused with your original numbers. You have 2000 mi a week times 26 weeks equals 43000 mi. Actually, should be 52000 mi. If you figure 10% deadhead (200 mi a week), that's $82.50 for fuel). Now, 52000 mi times $1.30 equals $67,600 gross. I think you're a little high on a trailer payment. Used '06 dry vans are going for 14-15 grand. Base plate around $ 1600-2000 per year. 2290 is $550 year. But I'll aknowledge every case is different.

Now consider this. Are you supporting a family/household/car payment/food/health insurance etc with what you make with your truck? Or, are you debt free and living in the truck. My point being, do you need to support the truck only, or both the truck and the household? Does wifey work? Makes a big difference. Just food for thought.

I don't pull a dry van never have and i would never pull a reefer, i have a flat, loboy and a landall. I have a base of customers that some times can keep me very busy, do use a loadboard at times NEVER pull for C. H. Are these rates at a 1.10 to 1.30 standard for dryvan. If so maybe you would be better off with another type of trailer, and in time get your own customer base?

The deadhead miles are way low in your calculations. The paid miles for the loads will generally be off by 10% each haul, then you may travel several hundred miles to pick up the next load. You also have to consider home time, where you may also travel several hundred empty miles.

Don't forget about holiday weeks, like Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, ect. These are times you may not be able to work at all. You will also want to be home some for vacation during the year, and you can count on days, or weeks, of breakdown time.