I have been given the opportunity to become an O/O and haul daily loads. The basics are this. The loads range from 5 to 15 a day for a company hauling Concrete Pipe. Each load is just under 500 miles and pays $750. Home every night. My thought is to start with one truck and trailer for a few months to see how it goes and then add additional trucks to increase revenue.
I'll need to buy the truck and trailer (thinking 48' flatbed) obtain my own authority and insurance. If I have run the numbers right it will not be big money but a decent living until we get to about 3 to 5 trucks.
The account is stable and is run by a family member so baring any major break - up the business is basically guaranteed. Looking at their current trucking provider they have averaged 9 loads a day for the last 3 years. Also there is the potential for a great deal of additional business from other suppliers.
Would sure appreciate any advise you experienced drivers can offer. I need to move on this fairly quickly for a bunch of reasons. Financing is not a problem. Thanks.
Is this a good opportunity?
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by tken, Oct 23, 2007.
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First, is it $750 per load or $750 per day?
Second, if it is $750 per load can I come do it too? -
Gazoo, it's $750 per load. The schedule works like this, drop load at job site first thing in the morning, travel to concrete plant and PU next load, travel home, repeat. Mostly heavy loads of 18 to 36" pipe.
Our plan if we do this will be to add additional trucks in 4 to 6 months. As they average 9 to 13 loads per day we are thinking 5 to 6 trucks within a year or two. -
I'm assuming that the 500 miles is 250 out and 250 back? Right? -
Doesn't sound like enough money?
I have a couple associates that get 2.25 plus. They claim thats low pay?
It is allot of work and money to keep up your authority and insurance. -
It is actually 1.60 per mile, basically guaranteed daily (if there is such a thing as a guarantee). Am working up a detailed business plan to estimate cost vs income. So far looks like 1 truck pays the bills not much more, get to 3 and it starts to make good money. Work is there for 5 or 6 trucks with one account and we will have access to several accounts as well as the mfgr from previous relationships in different business.
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OK I hate to play devils advocate, but?
The cost factor will be the same on all three trucks.
Yes you can save a very small part on bulk insurance, but with trucking its all about liability cost.
How will be running more trucks pay more?
I do enjoy your excitement, and I hope all goes well! -
Good luck with it, be sure to crunch those numbers again, and again, and again.
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Okay it goes like this say that if with one truck at the end of the year you come away with 10,000 profit(just a round firgure to make calculations easy). Say the second truck runs just as first with about the same so at the end of that year you have 20,000 profit and so on. Three trucks 30,000 profit. -
- Is the $750.00 for the round trip or one way? If it's round trip then it's not enough considering the rising cost of fuel.
- Will they increase the rate to match the fuel prices?
- Will you be dead heading back or have a back haul?
- Is there a contract? Although it's a family deal you need one and I wouldn't proceed without one.
- Do you have the funds to cover breakdowns, an emergency fund of at least $10,000?
- If there is a contract then you'll be obligated to cover the loads, do you have a back up plan in case the one truck goes down?
- I suggest that you consider nothing shorter that a 48' and seriously consider a 53 foot as some times the pipe will be long, less over hang.
- Who's driving if it's you then who covers when you are sick or get hurt, or have a family emergency?
- Are you going to incorporate?
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