Newish dirt truck driver contemplating the move to OTR

Hey all. I’ve been driving a side dump rig with a local excavation outfit for about 9 months. Did two months in an end dump before that but that company turned out to be a giant dumpster fire which is how I ended up where I am now. Make no mistake, I love the company I’m currently with but recent events within the management coupled with the seasonal slowdown have been seriously inhibiting my ability to get full time hours and pay my bills. I’ve always contemplated OTR work, even long before I got my class A. And I’ve done tons of research on this forum and elsewhere so I know the spectrum of OTR companies ranges from good to abysmal. I guess what I’m looking for is advice on the good companies to look into and the ones to avoid at all cost.

I’m based in Colorado, looking primarily at regional or dedicated routes, preferably western US, with a good work and home time balance. And for perspective, on the good weeks I typically net around $1300 currently so something comparable or better than that. You know, the unicorn jobs. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I have my tanker endorsement currently. I started the HAZMAT process but didn’t finish because my current job didn’t require it.

I do not..