Hi there.
I'm trying to gather information before I make a decision. I thought maybe some of you could help.
I started driving last year (summer) and started with 9 axle trains hauling logs for pulp in N. Alberta. Now I've sold some things and freed up some cash and can buy a truck if I want. I've been looking at log trucks as #1 option just because that's all I know so far. I know there are many factors involved such as having a place to fix the truck, being able to keep it running on my own, cash reserve to fix major problems etc... but I only know about logging.
Questions:
What other types of hauling can a guy do that pay well as an O/O?
What types of hauling would pay well and be easier on the truck compared to logging?
Would you stay as an employee, or buy a truck?
Thanks in advance for your input.
To buy a truck or not.
Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by Rudester, May 10, 2015.
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Fuel tankers look around lots hiring, Wieb, scamp, legend. Pay is good but you have to be certified.
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you might want to get a little more experience before you jump into O/O, there are lots of hidden costs and most outfits want you to have a few years before they lease you on. On the other side of the coin when the oil price goes back up there should be a power shortage, a lot of Iron seems to be heading South.
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I'd keep saving and saving. You need a ton of capital to stay rolling and overcome a serious breakdown and tow fees or service calls.
Put your feelers out and let people know your looking for a truck. Look far and wide. Buying the truck is easy, and you can find some real deals out there. If you find a real good deal you can buy it outright, while still doing company driving. Fix it up as a side project, and make sure it's a good enough deal you could flip for a profit should you decide to cut your losses early.
Prepare yourself to pick up being a mechanic as a second job. Unless you want to give up that hard earned cash in repair labor. Build up a set of tools. Do your own PM's at the very least. -
Having talked to some locals around here that haul logs for the same mill, and both of my bosses, I'll probably continue to drive for them for this year and keep gathering information, and looking for the right truck/opportunity. Not in a real big hurry to part with my cash. Not real sure i want to get married to this mill either as they are the only one around that runs this configuration (9 or 10 axle b-train). That's an awful big commitment to someone who doesn't seem to be interested in your well being, only looking for the bottom dollar and the most commitment from the O/O.
I'm not convinced of the viability of hauling logs period, or other types of hauling as an O/O really. Logging is hard on the truck. If you bought new, you'd buy into this mill at about 400,000 - 450,000 (tri drive and 10 axle trains) by the time you were rigged up . After 5 years of logging I think you'd be lucky to get 100,000-120,000 back out of your rig.
It's no wonder really why outfits like to hire O/O's..... -
I bought my first rig after a year of driving. forget that bull crap of needing more experience. get in and figure it out as you go, same as you did when you got your cdl. they didn't ##### foot around telling you how to shift gears for a week, they threw you in a #### truxk and let you grind away. get a good trucking accountant who has the time to sit and talk with you. find a mentor.
buying a new truck right now is borderline suicide with the dollar the way it is. go to any dealership and they have more trucks then space because Noone wants to pay 25% more then they did 6 monthe ago.
most of the best paying gigs pay that we'll because you beat the crap out of your equipment. if you want decent money with a easier life then fuel may be a good option.
one big thing to keep in mind. once you go o/o you are now self employed and banks will want 2 years Noa before they lend you money personally so getting a house or borrowing for a wedding etc will be alot harder. -
Truck1 and dustinbrock Thank this.
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