How much can an O/O car hauler make?

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by ae31, May 13, 2012.

  1. 379TillIDie

    379TillIDie Bobtail Member

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    I'm sure he knew what to look for before buying it but for the average joe buying one of those units form those places is like buying a used Taxi cab. Most are beat up and rode hard because some company drivers do not care about anything but miles and I don't judge them because it's not their equipment. Most of those Company's do little to no preventative maintenance and wait till it's broke to fix it for better profit margins ect... 16k Was it a day cab ? high rail or easy loader ? Is he still on the road ? My numbers are based on a 1998-2004 379 63" sleeper, 60 series detroit under 700,000, drop out pockets on head rack, number 2 position top deck take out skids factory or already fabricated, sliding 5th wheel, Cottrell High rail with the more maneuverable rear top deck or a nextgen will work just fine for me. If you find one of those for 16k with service records and in great shape like your buddy did let me know Ill give you 26k that same day no questions asked and we will both be happy :) http://www.truckpaper.com/list/list...dlx=exact&bcatid=27&Pref=0&Thumbs=1&scf=false
     
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  3. black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    379TID: Excellent posts! Obviously, you have been around trucking for a while. The members asking the questions should take your posts seriously. Thanks for the great, no nonsense posts.
     
  4. 379TillIDie

    379TillIDie Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the reply I'm just trying to lay it out there from my experience's so people do not fall victims to their own ignorance or anyone else's including mine. A-lot of people think Car hauling is easy and easy money a good way to get rich quick but it is not and never will be. It's a marathon not a sprint It's hard work as a Company driver or O/O's. The people who get into car hauling without work ethic attention to detail patience and a business mind end up loosing everything and in turn cause freight to be low balled for them and Other car haulers in my opinion. So anyone thinking about it seriously should swallow their pride and spend a good amount of time learning about it first. See if it makes sense for them before becoming an owner operator. But like I said before be ready to bring your A Game each and every day because everyone is out to stick their hands in your pocket for your cash from day one. Insurance Company's, DOT, Uncle Sam rules and fees, the list goes on and on and if you don't stay sharp, vigilant and on time they most definitely will find a way to separate you from your money in a blink of an eye. O/O is not for everybody and there is no shame in being a Company driver. If your not ready for the pitfalls and daily challenges of being an O/O it just might cost you more than some shame and pride in the end.
     
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  5. DanS

    DanS Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
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    I agree with that.. been hauling cars for 10yrs I have had friends and other people tell me I should get my own truck NO WAY In the world would I do that not that Im not able to run a biz ...Its just everything else that comes with it and the up keep on a car hauler NO THANKS ....lol
     
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  6. 379TillIDie

    379TillIDie Bobtail Member

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    Yeah Dan in today's Trucking environment and the direction America is heading no matter who holds office it is becoming more and more pointless to be a single truck O/O, the risks are not in line with the benefits anymore. There definitely still are perks to running under your own authority but the daily headache's are quickly out numbering the perks and they keep adding new headache's every year. If that trend continues and it looks like it will I would not advise anyone to be an O/O just starting out specially if they are somewhat happy as a Company driver. It takes a special breed to take on that much more of a work load by yourself. Don't get me wrong O/O is still the better way to go right now in my opinion but who knows what that opinion will be in 2013 and on. I'm not trying to discourage anyone from becoming an O/O just trying to get them up to speed on some of what to expect before jumping in blindly look before you leap people what ever choice you make.
    Their are a bunch of variables and nothing is guaranteed but if you have a good plan and stick to it as an O/O you might make less than a company driver per year or as much as 25% more give or take after tax's etc... but you are going to add at least up to 60% more stress to your life either way some years you win others you lose. So one should ask them-self's should I spend up to 60% more time and energy every year for the rest of my life and not get anything out of that for a number of those years, or should I save myself 60% stress,time and energy every year and have time to go fishing for that elusive 23lb large mouth bass? Everyone is different some choose the Bass (CO Driver) others choose the stress and a shot at more money (O/O) to each their own.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2012
  7. Cyngus

    Cyngus Bobtail Member

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    I know a guy in florida friend of the family who does car transport, he told me car transport isnt the greatest at all even running all over the country but he made the choice to lease a truck and a enclosed hauler, and opened himself up to exotic and super car transports only. florida, california, places where these people with cars and money are. he made some unique contacts, apparently doing this was good enough to support him his wife, 3 children. 2 houses and not worry about money on his days off, he did say doing it though did require some hefty insurance but in the end he did very well, but as all good things it had to end when he was diagnoised with cancer and it changed him :( he gave up everything. so basically what im getting at is, it seems that car transport is good, IF and only IF you know the right people, at the right place and right time.
     
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  8. DanS

    DanS Light Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    edgewater florida
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    Sorry for your friends diagnois god bless him....


    Yes car hauling can pay good and it pays good as a company driver... I just moved to FL been here about a month now back in Iowa where I new all the dealships from iowa city to chicago Im sure I could have done good.... for me its everything esle that comes with it.. I would love nothing more then to have my own biz again.. But with fuel prices DOT and all the stupid drivers on the roads now days I dont think it would be In trucking..
     
  9. konakongs

    konakongs Bobtail Member

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    As an O/O i averaged monthly between 10k and 15k. Sold the truck....bought a house.... now make 6k with no stress about fuel, taxes, maintenance, repairs etc. More money = more stress.....less money = less stress....your pick.
     
  10. Briana

    Briana Bobtail Member

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    I really don't know if he hauls between Florida and Texas. Broker rate would be 300$ per unit. So he has to make at least 4 trip to make that kind of money.
     
  11. patllc

    patllc Bobtail Member

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    I'm a broker, and I couldn't agree more with what I'm reading... I haven't been in the business very long, but I started out by asking questions of all the "vets" and actually listening to what they had to say.

    They taught me that quoting the price is a waste of time, and that I should focus on selling the quality service that the good carriers have to offer... once in a while I have to post a car on Central when a cheap referral customer says "I've done this before" but I primarily focus on setting up decent relationships with quality carriers and sending them the good business.

    I wouldn't be able to begin offering any quality advice, but from what I've heard here, you'd be better off listening to what is posted here than your "friend"

    -PAT
     
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