Thinkin about fleet owning

[Iraqvet]

Well I have been workin in Iraq for almost a year now and got some pretty decent money saved up.I was lookin at maybe buyin a few expedite trucks and maybe a van for myself..I was lookin at maybe puttin some teams in the expdite trucks.I have talked to Panther and tri state,and havnt managed to get ahold of fed ex custom critical yet..I know no one wants any competion if they are already runnin for these guys,but I was hopin to get something..Good,bad,or ugly...Is there any fleet owneres,or o/os doin ok with these guys?I am just trying to learn as much as I can and get some figures before I take a recruiters word for it...Any info is greatly appriciated..

[RickG]

I wouldn't start out with a few . Buy one , hire a good experienced driver and spend some time on the road with him learning the business . Hire drivers one at a time and check them out . Husband /wife teams are best . Hiring 2 bad drivers in 2 different trucks to start off could ruin you . Also check out having tractors pull doubles for FedEx Ground . They also use fleet owners and the work is more steady .

[PharmPhail]

Looking at the numbers strictly, it can be safer and cheaper to have more than one truck.

Specifically, the first truck costs the most, especially for insurance and all the startup costs are associated with only one truck. Authority for instance $300 for 1 truck or $100 a piece for 3. Insurance up to 2k down for first truck, roughly $500 each additional which brings it down to about $800 per truck.

From there you can have more incomes assuming you can run them all for a profit on your model. If you have a breakdown you still have another or another couple running so you're not dead in the water. Drivers are only paid meaningfully when driving so there is a shared cost burden. (we all hate this but it is industry standard).

The disadvantages are still similar to the single truck model, and you'll have something in the shop more often of course.

It will be hard to find drivers that will treat the truck as if it was their own though.

[RickG]

Originally Posted by PharmPhail

Looking at the numbers strictly, it can be safer and cheaper to have more than one truck.

Specifically, the first truck costs the most, especially for insurance and all the startup costs are associated with only one truck. Authority for instance $300 for 1 truck or $100 a piece for 3. Insurance up to 2k down for first truck, roughly $500 each additional which brings it down to about $800 per truck.

From there you can have more incomes assuming you can run them all for a profit on your model. If you have a breakdown you still have another or another couple running so you're not dead in the water. Drivers are only paid meaningfully when driving so there is a shared cost burden. (we all hate this but it is industry standard).

The disadvantages are still similar to the single truck model, and you'll have something in the shop more often of course.

It will be hard to find drivers that will treat the truck as if it was their own though.

I agree . I'd add more trucks before long but ease into checking out the carrier and the drivers . If you let the carrier know you will add trucks if things go well they might give the first truck a better priority for loads .

[Sixwheeler]

First off Iraqvet,thank you for your service to keep this Great Nation a free place to live.I hope you can build a successful business through a great carrier.I used to be a driver,and I can tell you from a driver's prespective,that you NEVER want to micro-manage your drivers.I believe that will drive them away quicker than anything.Just have some patience and understand that some of us catch on to things quicker than others.Remember,the driver wants to be successful just like you do.Good luck to you.

[Iraqvet]

I appriciate that sixwheeler.Right now I am here as a civillian contractor.I was over here in 05' and 06' runnin convoys with my reserve unit..I would try to be pretty good to people..I am still not sure who I am gonna go with and if I am gonna go combo vehicle or strait truck..Thinkin about panther or tri state..Not sure which one could get me farther ahead.As far as drivers go,I would need to find an easy way of tellin them I am there to make money,and not just let them run whenever they feel like it with my truck as long as I am footing the bill...But I gotta ton of research to do yet....

[xiggi]

I would stay away from tri-state right now. Their drivers seem to be super slow. Panther or express1 might be better choices. One thing about panther with vans is drivers still need a cdl with some of the others they do not. Also some are not hiring vans right now so I would ask that specific question.-

[RickG]

Originally Posted by xiggi

I would stay away from tri-state right now. Their drivers seem to be super slow. Panther or express1 might be better choices. One thing about panther with vans is drivers still need a cdl with some of the others they do not. Also some are not hiring vans right now so I would ask that specific question.-

The CDL is required because they haul hazmat . A Class C CDL is required for a passenger endorsement or hazmat endorsement . Expediting will pick up when construction picks up under the stimulus plan . When construction equipment breaks down parts are often sent by expedite .

[kd5drx]

Well from one vet of Iraq to another. Do your self a favor save your money and open a truck stop or a nice food place with truck parking. I have been here 5 years now and will be going home in 28 days for good. I was one of the first civilian trucks across the border back in the beginning of this thing and have seen it go from the wild wild west to what it is today. Just my 2 cents worth pay off all your debt and get to where you need very little money to make it. I have done that and it is nice to know i can live on bare min amount of income and that i can make at big mac flipping burgers. so keep your powder dry and keep money close and then enjoy life you deserve it after being here for any time at all.

[Sixwheeler]

What about Bolt Express?Do you get good miles with Bolt Express?I've heard you do not need a Haz-Mat endorsement with Bolt Express,and they don't go to Canada.I would like to hear from their drivers.