The jump from one truck to two trucks...

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by this_time, Nov 15, 2014.

  1. this_time

    this_time Bobtail Member

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    Well... I've got to say I'm having some serious internal conflicts regarding this matter. The personal part of that decision I have to make... Do I want to be happy with what I have or do I want to try to establish for not only myself but for my family as well? The part I need help with on here is tied into that. I'm still relatively young and have lost a lot in other ventures. Those losses put me into this business and I've tried to make it successful. It wasnt long ago that I was trying to spread pbj without tearing the bread too bad, then go to sleep in negative temps in a freezing cab because I have no espar or anything similar and couldnt afford the fuel to keep the truck running. Not long ago I was making phone calls to mom and dad to help me" just one last time" because I had blown 4 tires on one trip, 300 miles from any major city (two of those were purchased new on that same trip and must've been overinflated). So with God's help here I am thankfully in a much better position and considering adding another truck. I'm not making money hand over fist but adding a second truck, then a yard, then a third and maybe a fourth truck eventually seems like it should better than pay the bills and allow me to transfer out of the truck and back to other related ventures. I love driving, love the highway, and love the backroads... but my passion lies in work that needs me to be home more often than not.

    I know others of you may have went down this road before... I've learned a lot of hard lessons on my own. Could any of you be so kind as to offer some advise that may minimize future "lessons"? Drivers, equipment, compliance, maintenance, customers, accounting... so many things to consider... . Is two trucks while I'm driving one of them almost too much to run correctly? ...should I wait until I can afford to put three trucks on the road? Train my own drivers or pay a premium for experienced drivers that may not want to put up with my learning curve? Advise on how to keep in touch personally with a multi-truck business? Thanks in advance for any input / suggestions.
     
    baha Thanks this.
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  3. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Once you have lost your rear end the 1st time its not as hard to do it the next, just remember what caused it before and go over background ck. info. on anyone you dont know where they have been the last few years
     
  4. reefer101

    reefer101 Medium Load Member

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    I think the biggest chalange is to find good drivers. then those drivers will need to go to shop to change a head light lamp,
     
  5. SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

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    Your question is vague. What type of truck are you running now, and why do you want to add one? You managed to blow 4 tires on one trip alone. In well over 1 million as a driver before I came off the truck and into management, I managed to not blow any tires. You went thru 4 on the same trip. Are we talking a real truck and adding a real truck? Or is this about having an F350 DRW and buying another?
     
  6. willisl64

    willisl64 Light Load Member

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    I was in your position 7 years ago, except I was making money hand over fist with my 1 truck. I had a part time driver that drove nights and I drove days, and we swapped out in our home town. So the truck was running team miles, but I was home every night and he was home from midnight to 4pm every day. Money, for a single truck, was great. But I am not in love with the road, and quite frankly became bored with driving. My wife was staying home raising our child and was pregnant with our second so I decided to add trucks so that I could work from home to be with my family. The one piece of advice I would give you is to make sure you have enough money on hand to cover 30 days expenses on the 2nd truck, while you wait for its cash flow to become established, making sure to include driver's wages in this calculation. I would estimate $20K cash in had to cover that for a month. I will tell you that if you are dilligent and smart enough to manage your money, the resulting income of a 7-10 truck fleet will far surpass what you are making now. However, the responsibilities you take on by making that jump should not be taken lightly. All of the sudden your family isn't the only family depending on you being good at your job, and you are liable for the actions of someone that you may only see a few days a month.
    When it comes to drivers, buck up and shell out the money for experienced drivers, no question. They will save you much more than the extra 10 or 12K per year that they will cost you in increased wages.
     
    this_time Thanks this.
  7. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Alot of folks,

    go back to 1 truck.





    Where they made more money than with 2 trucks.........
     
    this_time Thanks this.
  8. willisl64

    willisl64 Light Load Member

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    This is very true. When I came out of the truck and put on drivers, I didn't match my solo income untill I got past 4 trucks.
     
    123456 and this_time Thank this.
  9. this_time

    this_time Bobtail Member

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    Thanks all for the replies so far. Your input is much appreciated. I'll try to type more later, but I'm on the road now...
     
  10. Mr&MrsPete

    Mr&MrsPete Medium Load Member

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    In my experience, I never made money with a second truck. Or three or even four. Not until I reached five did I acheive the personal income I had with one. Dont know why it worked out that way, but it did. Now im back to one and happy with it. The only scary part of having one truck is that you personally have to be in it or no money comes in. My advice would be. Get to five as quickly as you can or , if you dont wanna get that big stay at one. Unless you have an outstanding and worthy driver, then go to two
     
    123456 and this_time Thank this.
  11. this_time

    this_time Bobtail Member

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    Well, not much more to say but I did want to say thanks again... After considering your replies and referring back to my own calculations Me thinks I'll stay on the solo path I'm on for now until I run into another worthy veteran driver, then try to build around them. One of the biggest obstacles I can think of is just common human perception. The gross numbers in this business can be quite large. Most anyone can make the simple calculations: 8 or 9 x's $$$ per car x's _runs= $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - $$$ fuel - $ insurance should still = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, So even if I pay $$$ that still means I must be pocketing tons right? ...but reality seems to have a way of knocking off most of those $'s.That perception that I'm making way more than I actually am can't lead to anything but eventual resentment I would think. I am quite worried about this. I try to keep most of my work cod which is good for me but doesnt help in this regard. Any thoughts on that subject? Hopefully you all can understand what I am trying to say. Perceived problem not for me to really worry about?
     
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