Straight Trucks or Vans Drivers

[Greg Sevcik]

I'm was thinking of looking into driving for someone(in a sprinter).Can someone tell me what it is I need to do to get started?
What is it that I should ask the o/o.I'm new to this and I would like to work for a o/o that can work with me and so I can learn the ropes of driving to make the most money for him and me.

[Rug_Trucker]

If you are driving someone else's truck? You are an employee.

[4seasons]

Originally Posted by Rug_Trucker

If you are driving someone else's truck? You are an employee.

In that case most owner/ operators are employees. If you have a truck payment the bank owns the truck. Therefore you work for the bank.

I think the better definition would be if you get a 1099 or w2. For example I drive for a small operation (4 trucks) for a percentage of the cut. I buy my own fuel and have no benefits like insurance and I pay the self employment tax. I am considered a private contractor but I drive someone else's truck.

[Rug_Trucker]

Just because you get a 1099 doesn't mean it is legal or follows the IRS guidelines.

I worked for a company in '84 that owned the trucks, bought the fuel, told us which loads to haul etc. We had signed statements that said we were responsible to pay our own taxes and SS.

They fired me for an unjust reason I filed for unemployment and got it. They appealed and I won because it was their truck!

If you signed a lease agreement with them, then you are a sub. If you don't carry your own workers comp? You are a contractor.

Do you put tires and insurance on that truck? Pay for the oil changes?

Just another way the American worker is gettin screwed.

Bet if you got injured or disabled on the job any lawyer would tear them a new one.

[KennyR]

Originally Posted by Greg Sevcik

I was wondering if someone could tell me the Pros and Cons of owning,driving one of these trucks.It may be cheeper to operate one of these--but then I would think the rate of pay is also cheeper.
I see on the road alot of the time straight trucks or vans from a trucking Co. called Panther Trucking and wonder if these guys make enough money to live on.

ANY INFO on this would be a great help!
Thanks---Greg

Greg: Panther is only taking on straight trucks and tractors. Straight trucks make around $1.20 per loaded mile. I do not know what tractors are making. Do you have any experience.

[Rug_Trucker]

Originally Posted by 4seasons

In that case most owner/ operators are employees. If you have a truck payment the bank owns the truck. Therefore you work for the bank.

I think the better definition would be if you get a 1099 or w2. For example I drive for a small operation (4 trucks) for a percentage of the cut. I buy my own fuel and have no benefits like insurance and I pay the self employment tax. I am considered a private contractor but I drive someone else's truck.

Just because someone gives you a 1099 doesn't mean you meet the IRS's criterea for a SUBCONTRACTOR.

If you are making a truck payment your name is on the title of the truck. The bank is a lien holder. They release the lean when you pay for the truck.

[kbergen904]

Are there companies you can work for with a straight truck(like an expeditor truck)but not with the stress of the expeditor company?Just a normal trucking company that moves standard freight cross-country.Done the OTR in big rig long enough,want to try something else or just retire.

[Iraqvet]

That would be an extremely tough gig to find...

[yendor_65]

I don't find that expiditing is stressfull. I apparently am not like most, I like the challange of getting it there on time.

[94nole]

I just had a driver call me who is looking for a co-driver. The company he contracts with contracts with Panther.

He said the drivers each get 20% of the load (or 40% total). Company gets the 60% and pays all of the truck's expenses.

He stated that he averaged $500-600 per week. I think that sounds pretty low given that this is a contract position and he pays the self employment tax (15.3% right off the top of his net income).

In my mind, this takes his average down to $425-$500 per week. Then add the costs of living on the road...that doesn't leave much for Mama.

Thoughts?