Proposed trucking lifestyle: Feasible or not? - Truckers' Trucking Forum

rodcannon · **^ Top** #1 07.03.2008

As I contemplate whether or not to get a CDL and go over the road, I wonder if this lifestyle makes any practical sense, given the realities of the business. Here's what I have in mind:

Sell my house. Put most of my stuff in storage. Become an itinerant trucker.

I know that much is possible, but how about this...

Instead of taking my two days per fortnight off at "home," taking it in various places I happen to be at the time. For example, I find myself in Denver with three days off coming to me. I might want to take that time off in Denver.

Is this possible? Would there be a problem finding a place to leave the truck? Would it be too expensive? Would I get bored?

I should add that I'm single with no dependents.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

Cerberus · **^ Top** #2 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodcannon

As I contemplate whether or not to get a CDL and go over the road, I wonder if this lifestyle makes any practical sense, given the realities of the business. Here's what I have in mind:

Sell my house. Put most of my stuff in storage. Become an itinerant trucker.

I know that much is possible, but how about this...

Instead of taking my two days per fortnight off at "home," taking it in various places I happen to be at the time. For example, I find myself in Denver with three days off coming to me. I might want to take that time off in Denver.

Is this possible? Would there be a problem finding a place to leave the truck? Would it be too expensive? Would I get bored?

I should add that I'm single with no dependents.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

alot of new drivers think about doing this and some succeed in doing so. the biggest problem you run into is getting burned out in the truck. it does get old of always being in the truck. but if your dead set on it then it is do able. most companies will let you do it, or at least the better of the litter will. i would sggest getting a folding bike to carry along with you so you can be mobile while on your off time or you can even rent a car for the area you will be in. just do that in advance so you can save a few dollars.

leannamarie · **^ Top** #3 07.03.2008

That's the way to do it. However, before you pick your company you will need to see if your plan flies with them. Some companies will require that you leave you truck in a secrure location.

Hammer166 · **^ Top** #4 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by leannamarie

That's the way to do it. However, before you pick your company you will need to see if your plan flies with them. Some companies will require that you leave you truck in a secrure location.

That's funny when most of those outfits don't have a problem letting you hang at Rubes all day! LOL

AfterShock · **^ Top** #5 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodcannon

As I contemplate whether or not to get a CDL and go over the road, I wonder if this lifestyle makes any practical sense, given the realities of the business. Here's what I have in mind:

Sell my house. Put most of my stuff in storage. Become an itinerant trucker.

I know that much is possible, but how about this...

Instead of taking my two days per fortnight off at "home," taking it in various places I happen to be at the time. For example, I find myself in Denver with three days off coming to me. I might want to take that time off in Denver.

Is this possible? Would there be a problem finding a place to leave the truck? Would it be too expensive? Would I get bored?

I should add that I'm single with no dependents.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

Absolutely do-able, Rod.
Will you get "bored"?
That's entirely up to you.

Twue story -------
I trained the wife half of a husband/wife team who had an appartment in Sandy Eggo, California, which, at the time was setting them back $750 a month. Today, that same apartment would be going for over $1,000.

Their goal was to drive team for 5 years while saving all they could for a house of their own.
I convinced them to dump the apartment and the rent payments, and get a holiday hotel room with a spa on their days off --- and still be less expensive than throwing away $750 on an apartment they'd only be seeing for a couple of days each month.

She had folks in Oregon and hubby's folks lived in Kansas, and dispatch got them through those areas so they could spend time with the in-laws and out-laws on their days off.

Other times, they took their days off in Florida, Colorado, Utah, or where ever they were --- and explored the areas.
Call it an extended honeymoon, if you will.

But the REAL honeymoon was after 5 years, they'd saved $45,000 just on rent.
A nice down payment on a home with real roots.
Hubby then joined the Los Angeles Police Department, and his lovely wife went back to college and became a special education teacher.

They had a plan and stuck to it.
I'd say their's is a success story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack.Frost

i would sggest getting a folding bike to carry along with you so you can be mobile while on your off time or you can even rent a car for the area you will be in. just do that in advance so you can save a few dollars.

I think the bicycle is an excellent idea.

Just imagine riding a nice bicycle in New England when the fall colors are in full swing.
Or along the coast, or up there in Flagstaff, Arizona or a small town like Three Forks in Montana.

And, as an added bonus, your legs will be in such good shape --- you won't have ANY problem holding the clutch pedal in while in heavy traffic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leannamarie

That's the way to do it. However, before you pick your company you will need to see if your plan flies with them. Some companies will require that you leave you truck in a secrure location.

Very true.
But most companies, I think, would consider a truck stop or a motel to be a secure location.
Just be sure to clear it with the truck stop management as well as your dispatcher.

And if y'all are parked at a motel and have a high-value load in the trailer, do what I did,
call the local police and mention that. Often, they'll notify the beat cop to check on it while on night patrol.
If y'all see them checking your trailer's welfare, offer to buy them a cup-0-coffee.
They rarely decline that offer, and often consume said cup-0-coffee while parked next to your Big truck.

Twenty minutes of armed protection for a buck ain't a bad price.

leannamarie · **^ Top** #6 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack.Frost

alot of new drivers think about doing this and some succeed in doing so. the biggest problem you run into is getting burned out in the truck. it does get old of always being in the truck. but if your dead set on it then it is do able. most companies will let you do it, or at least the better of the litter will. i would sggest getting a folding bike to carry along with you so you can be mobile while on your off time or you can even rent a car for the area you will be in. just do that in advance so you can save a few dollars.

My boyfriend carries his mountain bike with him and rides all over the place on his downtime. Not only is it exercise, but it gets him away from the tiny four walls of that truck.

AfterShock · **^ Top** #7 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by leannamarie

My boyfriend carries his mountain bike with him and rides all over the place on his downtime. Not only is it exercise, but it gets him away from the tiny four walls of that truck.

There ya go!
And if you're single --- get a bicycle built for two.
Ya never know who might be lookin' for a ride. Might be the future Mrs. Rod Cannon.

Daisy
Daisy
Give me your answer, do
I'm half crazy
All for the love of you

It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet
Upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two.

Thank yew!
Thank yew!

Native Dancer · **^ Top** #8 07.03.2008

Any possibility of renting the house? I don't know what the market is like in your area but it is pretty depressed in most parts of the country. It would probably be worth a lot more in a few years. I rented my places out for a little less than going rates to get long term reliable renters. One place I owned for 28 years had 3 renters, all single professional ladies.

Rest of plan seems doable to me.

Best of luck.

thestoryteller · **^ Top** #9 07.03.2008

Somewhere around here is a thread with posts about the tax effects of not having a home base.....

I think I remember something about you needing a home/base so you can deduct meals and expenses?

Need help here........ I think Lurchgs had some details but he is gone, gone, gone right now being a "truck driver" (hope you're having fun Lurch).........

Roadmedic · **^ Top** #10 07.03.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestoryteller

Somewhere around here is a thread with posts about the tax effects of not having a home base.....

I think I remember something about you needing a home/base so you can deduct meals and expenses?

Need help here........ I think Lurchgs had some details but he is gone, gone, gone right now being a "truck driver" (hope you're having fun Lurch).........

The per diem requires a tax home. There are costs associated with living, rent, mortgage, utilities. Without such, there is no tax home to be away from. You are then considered to be living in the truck and would not receive the per diem rate for deducting food on the road.

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