What amount makes it worth it?

I'm I that old that a W900l is old iron?

 

No... A 1956 Chevy 5 Ton with a 5×4 was what I first learned in, then a 1974 Mack... Those are old Iron. But the W900L was the first truck I drove that had big power and would really step out.

 

I have no interest working on trucks and doing the business paperwork the older I get. Want to work and want to not work in days off.

 

You're leased? Well, no offense but you're already a glorified company guy now. I bet you'll make way more in food service all long as they pay OT after 40. When I first started out I was leased. Sure I had a little more freedom but they were still relying on me to be regular like an employee and the pay was about the same. After all the extra time, responsibility and money invested I can honestly say I made less than an employee. I only did it as a stepping stone towards my own numbers. To drop from being a lease op back to company guy is an easy choice if money and security are you number one deciding factors.

 

Sounds like you've seen both sides of the fence and can make an educated choice. There's good money on those food service routes. Lots of hours but so is having your own truck. The most important difference is with food service you'll be getting 100 percent compensated by the hour and once you punch the clock you walk away free. A problem with the truck? "Here's your keys Boss Man. Fix it, Mr. Company!" Can't do that when it's your equipment.

 

lol exactly

 

Having done everything your talking about in the last 34 years driving it is a tough choice. I’ve done food service for Sysco as an employee in the 90’s and made good money . One of the happiest days of my life was when I quit. Ive also done food service as an owner operator with my own trucks. It is a tough choice . What happens is when things get tough as an owner operator you think about the good times and not worrying about a truck and trailer all the time being a company driver.
the fact is food service will eventually destroy your body. It’s not like going to the gym like everybody thinks . It’s tough manual labor that you have to get up super early in the morning and quite frankly , be somebody’s ##### all day
Everyday busting your ### . Just remember how happy you were when you first starting pulling that dump bucket and you didn’t have to deal with all that food service crap all day. I see young guys all the time doing food service work . Almost all of them are miserable and under the gun to get to their next timed stop. “They pay by the hour !”
Yes and watch and time everything you do all day long. It will destroy your back , knees , shoulders etc. I know guys in their 70’s that drive dump trailer, walking floor etc everyday , and have no problem doing the work . You won’t see many older food service drivers and if you do say a prayer for them , because they are miserable and in pain doing that work.
Your young , 38 is a lot younger than you think and you’ve lasted 4 years as an Owner operator, you’ve just started. I say keep learning your business , save money and upgrade your equipment and keep trying to find
Better paying steady work and invest money in things like rental property’s. . You’ll be happier and far ahead in life than going back to food service as an employee.