Biggest mistake you made as a long time Owner Operator

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by mtoo, Jul 30, 2016.

  1. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    I think mine was selling my first new truck. In 1988 I ordered a new 88 pete with 425 cat and the first year Eaton offered an 18 speed. I ran the truck just shy of 2 million miles. The truck always road rough and I sold it and bought a 96 uni built sold that and bought a 2003 6NZ. Sold that and retired.

    My biggest mistake was selling that 88 pete. I put every mile on that truck from 0 to 2 million. I knew every nut and bolt. I should have kept it and just kept putting money into it. It would have had just shy of 4 million miles on it when I retired and my bank account would be much bigger.

    Let's hear it old timers, Big screw ups?
     
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  3. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I don't know if 7 years o/o is an old timer but I'd say buying a brand new dry van trailer in Jan 2015 and realizing about 3 or 4 months later we were in a serious economic slump was one of my big ones. If I'd had a crystal ball, or perhaps more experience, I would have kept the old one a couple of more years.
     
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  4. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    Hmmm ...getting rid of my 85 k100e areodyne cause that snake in the grass aka ex wife said it was her or the truck lol.
     
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  5. dirthaller

    dirthaller Heavy Load Member

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    Selling my '93 Kenworth that I bought in '97.


    Not getting my own authority till '09.
     
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  6. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Took over the payments on a 1999 Century with a N14 525+. Everyone I ran into said not to do it as the previous owner didn't take care of it and ran it hard.
    But I thought I could do it. No money down, just sign the paperwork with Freightliner to assume the payments. Only had about 18 months to go on it.
    Truck almost broke me from all the repairs. Then the whole motor died. Fortunately I still had decent credit so I was able to trade it off on a better quality used 2001 Classic.
     
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  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Buying an SDP cat........ But even that turned out alright. :)
     
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  8. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    not great, "just alright" ? LOL
     
  9. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I'm not a long time O/O,.. but I think this one ranks up there with "Doh!"

    Rookie mistake here.

    Called on a load. Got the broker to agree to my rate. They sent the confirmation to my carrier. I was emailed the rate/con. I never read past the pick up info.

    If I had I would have immediately noticed that the rate was changed from $2700 down to $2150. Matter of fact,.. I didnt catch it until I got my settlement and got pissy with my carrier for being short. Thought he made a mistake.

    Nope,.. broker blind sided me and I didnt catch it. Called the broker to see if he would make it right. He said no,.. we agreed on $2150. So nope,.. I ate the difference. Piss on him.

    Now I make sure I see the correct rate.

    Hurst
     
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  10. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    That was a big club!! Much smaller exclusive club, those that survived and made it turn out alright
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2016
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  11. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    The other biggest mistake I made was letting others tell me how I should run my operate my business .
    What works for some don't work for others .
    I got pals that gota be in the driveway every Friday and that's fine .
    I like a month out and a week off .
     
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