Buying a 2nd truck with no driver

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by dztruck, Mar 1, 2021.

  1. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    Hey guys been flirting with the idea of buying another truck and hiring a driver. But i really want to find a quality driver. I have cash to buy the truck (around 50k) but im still thinking of financing it since i hate to throw a bunch of money out like that.

    anyways, do you guys think its a good idea to buy my 2nd truck, and i drive it myself for a while, get it all ready for my driver. and in the meantime, i can be a little patient and wait for the right driver to hire?

    anyone ever go this route for their 2nd truck? My equipment is all paid off. So basically my old truck will be sitting while im driving the new truck and waiting for a good candidate.
     
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  3. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    While I am just a company driver and new to the game. You might also be able to take the time to work on the older truck. Any overhauls, or rebuilds that might be coming up. Could be done sooner, rather than later. Since you'll have the spare truck to use. Then when you do get your driver. You'll have both trucks in the best shape to earn money.
     
  4. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Yes. Don't do it.
     
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  5. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    My “old” truck is a champ. Ive had an overhaul already. Tons of new parts, tires n everything. Its my baby lol.
     
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  6. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    The thing is im kinda getting tired of OTR, i can drive my truck now n make a decent living. But my kids are growing up n i wanna spend time with them before they are outta the house.
     
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  7. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Unless you have a special contract that is a bad idea! I have seen many people try that and most do not do well. Some lost everything.
    Sounds like you are doing well just take more days off and or look for more local work.
    Just my thoughts and what I have seen.
     
  8. dztruck

    dztruck Light Load Member

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    Yeah, sometimes i dont know if its even worth the headache. Im not in desperate need of money. I do have good local work for myself. Basically just thinking of getting another rig n letting someone drive it otr.
     
  9. 6cuda6

    6cuda6 Light Load Member

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    Problem here with this scenario, in my opinion, is the person you hire will have nothing vested in your truck and therefore really wont care one way or another about it like you would [not to say everyone is this way but chances are]. If it was me and i really wanted to buy a second truck to hire out i would make it so there was something in it for the driver and myself......perhaps a no break down cash fund, or a vehicle quality bonus....something that if the driver takes pride in your equipment then there is something in it for them but if they abuse your equipment their is something in return for you [legally done and agreed apon at time of hiring of course]. Just this scenario alone would discourage anyone who was just a wheel holder......
     
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  10. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    If it were me I would keep adding on to that fifty thousand and go buy a property.

    If you think about it if you spend $50,000 on a truck and let's say it was work ready even and you did not have to do anything to it, by the time you pay for a tag and you pay for insurance that truck is going to be at what 60 65000 that it cost you?

    I assume you still would be paying insurance on the other truck. It's definitely not good to let the truck sit. So now you're out $65,000 plus whatever you pay for insurance and tag for the other truck, and what if you can't find a driver?

    Not saying you won't maybe you will. But the old saying is the good drivers are busy driving with their good jobs and bad drivers are the ones looking for jobs.

    It certainly can be done but tying up that amount of money not knowing if you are going to find someone is kind of a risky proposition to me. And if they destroy the truck or they abandon it on the other side of the country or... Whatever. It just seems like a big headache.

    Myself I think it would be easier to keep track of things if you run local and you have that guy run local or maybe local and partially Regional or something close to home. It would be easier to keep an eye on the truck and not let the driver get too far out of your sight.

    But that's just me. If you really want to do it where there's a will there is a way. But I would imagine you really are going to have to pay for a good driver if you can find one.
     
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  11. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Find a driver for your current truck, and then buy the 2nd. Find a driver for it and go from there.
     
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