Am I the only crude tanker owner op asking himself: What else is out there??

Hello, I'm new to this forum, but came here mostly in search of info. I've had a Class 1 since 99, but only owned a truck or trucks since 2009. I've only hauled crude in tri axles and Super B and pulled semivac trailers in recent years.
In 1999, I got my license hauling pulp wood in 8' and then went on a harvest run down to TX. Other than that, I haven't really done any non-oilfield driving work.

At this point, I am not really interested in leaving the current work I have, but am curious as to what's out there for non-oilfield work. I wouldn't mind getting a truck on hauling livestock or decks with a driver, just to see what that kind of work is like, but I'm not really sure about it. Just figure it would be nice to have one truck not involved with the energy sector. Get an idea of what trucking looks like without FR coveralls, hard hats, and placards.

 

That's what I've been noticing, we do well initially, but the shortened life cycle of our equipment and repair costs really take up the lions share of the profits. I've had a few good years, worked up to 4 trucks, but the future isn't looking bright.
We are due to buy another new truck this year and replace an existing older truck, but it isn't making sense too at this point. With the oil co's cutting rates the way they are, It just doesn't offer enough reward to take the risk.

I can already see that trend taking hold with most of the people who I work with. There are alot of guys that are due to upgrade or replace trucks and there is a hesitancy to do so.

If it continues, in another 2 years we'll be back where we were in 2010-2011 with a huge shortage of trucks and rates will have to go up substantially to keep people in the industry and whatever savings the oil co's get now will be lost then. They don't seem to realize that when they cut rates so dramatically owner ops and small operators stop buying equipment, once that happens, it takes a lot retain those people because you've only got whatever term they have left owing and they'll head for greener pastures or they'll refinance and find something else immediately. Or, if they're severely extended when the rates drop, they'll just quit and give trucks back.

None of which will get oil from the field to the plant, but somehow, this basic economics escapes oil producers.

The other troubling thing I've been seeing is that there are not as many new owner operators in our field. It used to be typical for a guy to drive a year and then he would go buy a truck. In the past year, that isn't happening. We are seeing a lot of guys go from one to two or two to three, but not new owner op's. Or at least, not with the fleet I work in.