I think 'm in Love

I for one LOVE the volvo's. I took my test in one, & learned to drive in one. You (IMO) would be making a huge mistake jumping into the lease program as little experience as you/we have. Give it some time, and tons of thought before jumping into such a drastic decision.

 

View attachment 37485 i will agree with some on here and don't lease with no expirence that is a set up for failure.

as for the 780 i think they are kinda funny looking but i do like my 730 and the sleeper is set up a little better.

 

It basically will come down to this I think. If you know exactly what you are getting into with the lease and no matter what a company could do to make it hard to make the truck payments or expenses of the truck and you can cover them in the event something like that happens then go for it.

 

I'm sorry, but this has to be the most oxymoronic statement I've seen in quite some time.

A "great" truck is NOT in the shop solidly for six months, I don't care HOW "nice" it is.

Don't misunderstand....I've driven a few Volvos, and I've loved them. But this statement is just downright silly.

 

Alas I had my Volvo in the repair shop today. Had them check the antifreeze for temp rating, change the oil and all the filters. Drain the bottom of the fuel tanks to clean out any sediment and water that was there, and put on an air dryer.

 

48packard, love you buddy but I think that one went over your head!


KateL its not that you are thinking like a newbie, I think your company is just trying to really force that apple down your throat! You see that nice shiny truck and they are making it sound so easy. Ask yourself this.... If it were actually that easy do you think your company would let you in on the easy money making? No! They know that the easy money is to let you make the truck payment and assume the risk while they let you borrow a trailer to haul their freight!

In the same breath KateL I don't want to make leasing sound evil. In the right circumstances you could make money but the stars really have to align to make that happen. First off by yourself its #### near impossible! Unless you are actually living in the truck and never going home it is #### tough to keep up. Once again, my wife and I ran team and we could never fathom how solos did it! Talk to LadyK, even with all the profits made by a husband/wife team is stressful. Being a trainer or running team is actually that little factor that allows you to make a little money. There is just no room for error in the leasing game. You really have to know your ####! Now as I say in the same breath again, leasing is a good step in between company and actual owner operator. If you were to fail as a leasee the bank is going to take your house and you won't be in financial ruins. The worst case scenario is that the company will send you a massive bill for turning in your truck and then put "truck abandonment" or something like that on your DAC. Finding another driving job will be a little more difficult with a blemished DAC.

Now for the next 8-10 -12 months keep track of every single little thing you do. On paper! Account for every penny in and out of your pocket. Now this is going to sound like a pain in the butt, however you are also going to have to keep track of all your truck expenses too. As an owner operator you will have to do this so you might as well practice now. Keep track of all your fuel expenses including gallons, price etc.. Also keep track of the national fuel surcharge average. You also want to keep track of all your miles, all of your truck expenses like maintenance, breakdowns etc... You will have to be a little creative say like when ever you get your oil changed you want to make a rough estimate of how much you think it cost. Usually three different types of routine service, A. B. C. One is a basic oil change, another is oil change and filters and the other of course includes a bunch more. Keep track of your tire expenses, brake expenses etc... Right on down to washing the truck. As an owner operator you will have to wash your truck once a week or so and that runs around $100! Now when you break down you will have to do your best to estimate that cost also. Either by asking the mechanic or internet research. If you had to get towed write that down too. Tow trucks start off at around $750.00. Scale tickets, tolls, fines, food, office supplies, medical insurance, yada, yada, yada! Include it all!

Now for the next part LadyK or someone currently leasing could give you an exact figure but I am going to give you a price of about $1000 a week for your lease. Its going to be #### close if not exactly $1000! This $1000 dollars includes your lease payment, all your truck insurances and liabilities, your qualcomm rental or fee and you permits and running authority and such. Could also include some tolls, prepass and maybe some other little expenses. Now you also need your figure for what you will be getting paid per mile. Once again LadyK can give you an exact number but I am going to throw $.87 cents a mile at you. So now you have your numbers. Now you will know exactly where you would stand if you were an owner operator. Start immediately and by next week this time you will get your first pretend owner operator pay check.

You can also figure on about 1600-1800 miles a week will be your "break even" point. Every week after you have run 1800 miles is when you start to make money to put in your pocket.

Hope this helps.... Now get to work!!!

 

Who has been towing you? I've NEVER paid more than $100/hour for a wrecker...

The biggest problem with a lease-purchase arrangement is that you don't own the truck. Your name appears NOWHERE on the title. You have no claim to ownership of the truck. If the carrier decides to take out a loan using "your" leased truck as collateral, they can...because THEIR name IS on the title. If they then default on that loan and the bank repossesses the truck, you lose. If they have not yet paid off that loan when you "finish" your lease-purchase contract, they cannot give you the title because THEY DON'T HAVE IT! That truck that you THINK you now own is still being held as collateral on that other loan, and until the carrier repays that loan, the truck cannot be signed over to you.

So, you are the one making the "payments" for the truck. You are the one paying for the operating costs....maintenance, repairs, fuel, insurance, driver, etc. for the truck. They control your ability to earn money by exercising control over your dispatch...you can't haul loads they don't offer you.

The deck is stacked so much against you that it isn't even funny, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people get suckered into those L/P "deals". Sorry, but if my name isn't on the title, I'm not paying the operating expenses. If my name isn't on the title, I'm not making the payments either. Unless my name is on the title, I'm just going to drive it and collect my paycheck. Maintenance, repairs, operating costs, etc...are all the responsibility of the truck owner. Truck owners have their name on the title. Until your name is on the title, it ain't your truck.

 

When I was towed from Eloy to Freightliner in Chandler, the tow bill was almost $900. They charged a DPS surcharge because the Arizona Highway Patrol called for the tow.

 

Next step is to lease 24 cats and live alone in the forest.

 

When I drove wreckers, every department we towed for had their own "maximum" rates. Usually, those rates were slightly higher than our normal rate...in a few instances, they were lower...but generally in a somewhat similar ballpark either way. We ALWAYS charged every penny of what they said we could...just like everybody else on rotation. Anything less was cutting into your earnings (we were paid on commission).

For a 60 mile tow, I would expect a bill for $200-$250. I was towed 170 miles and the bill was only $600....3 hours out to me, 3 hours back. Then again, I already had the truck prepped for the tow before he got there...which would save you quite a bit if the police call the truck out. The rate sheet lists pretty much anything that might need to be done and gives a price for that service (i.e pulling the drive shaft is not always included in the "hook" fee)...so the more of that you have done before the truck arrives, the cheaper the tow bill will be.