Starting a Trucking Business in Nebraska, advice needed!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Kkemp2, Dec 10, 2024.

  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You need $$$$ up front, either paying cash or a down payment. Also, very hard to get financing with no experience. Then you need $$$ to carry you through the month, because shippers/brokers sometimes take 30 days or longer to pay. Then you need to know what to do when you have a breakdown (which usually happens 1200 mi from home) Do you trust so-and-so truck repair in Possum Breath, Ar. to get it fixed ? How well do you know hours of service rules etc ? I'm thinking you're thinking hey, lets buy a truck, hire a driver, and kick back and make $$$, right ? Sorry, that's fantsyland, not the real world.
     
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  3. Kkemp2

    Kkemp2 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the reply! I was living in fantasy land for sure then haha. But the vision I had was to have them stay closer maybe more of a regional driver that wouldn’t go further than about 500 miles a day. This also had me thinking about buying a box truck instead. Do you have experience or knowledge with box trucks? In total I only have about $12k to invest upfront. Would this be enough?
     
  4. TheLoadOut

    TheLoadOut Road Train Member

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    @Allow Me. summed it up pretty good. I would invest whatever money you planned on putting into this idea into something else. Perhaps a rental property? The truck, the driver, the industry will take take take, with not much return.
     
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  5. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    Leasing to your Dad's company should not be a problem. Just remember sometimes business and family does not mix very well. You need to decide what type of freight you want to haul and find a piece of equipment that is spec'ed to move it. I would suggest you simulate booking loads on the load boards for a month on both types of operation that you want to run - Tractor - trailer or box truck and look at the numbers. Contact your state trucking association and see what kind of help they can offer -

    Nebraska Trucking Association - Nebraska Trucking Association

    Your cash flow is low for starting a business and hiring an employee. Your Driver will expect to get paid every week, whether you do or not! Your problems are not his problem's. If he or she picked up freight and delivered it...pay em! If you are running for brokers quik pay may have to be an option. You will need Insurance - so you should talk to as many agents as possible to get an idea of what insurance you will need and what the premiums will cost.

    You should be on the phone daily talking to your Dad - First question should be "tell me what I don't know Pop...."

    Good Luck!
     
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  6. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    Well what does your dad say about your idea?
     
  7. Kkemp2

    Kkemp2 Bobtail Member

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    My dad does hotshot hauling so it’s a bit different and he does it more as a side gig. He already owned his truck and trailer for a while and picks up loads from time to time.
     
  8. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    $12k is nowhere near enough, especially figuring you’ll be paying a driver for a month or better before your money starts coming in.
     
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  9. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Dude 12k ?? That's like 4 weeks of fuel. Add a 0 behind that 12 and it might work. But you are going to eat #### for a year or more...
    If it was saturated as a dispatcher that tells you everything you need to know. It's not any better on the carrier side of things...

    Throw your 12k in the stock market and let it ride. You would be up about 5k this year already.
     
  10. Truckermania

    Truckermania Road Train Member

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    Don't do it. Even in the best of times it is difficult and now is a really bad market to get started in. You know the quickest way to get a Million dollars in Trucking? Answer: start with 2 million.
     
  11. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

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    A man named Russ who used to own Heartland Express had a saying; "The driver is key."

    Another saying: A dependable wife is worth her weight in gold.
     
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