Plans detoured - new route? Any ideas and comments would be appreciated...

Hello all. My name is Bobby, I'm new to this site and wanted to ask a (silly??) question. I think I know some of the answers but really wanted to get some fresh ideas and comments.

Last year I got my CDL, was in the beginning stages of my training and boom! I became paralyzed on the right side of my body because of a brain tumor. Immediate surgery and a year later I'm getting that itch again and want to get back into long haul trucking. The problem is that I want/have to work for myself because of some minor health issues (nothing to do with become paralyzed again! ha-ha)(tumor went bye-bye), in other words I have to be able to take time off - maybe even extended time off (a month or so) because of these health issues. It's possible that I may be able to get into full time trucking one day, but right now I have to stay fairly small (loads and such) and want to work for myself. My idea is to purchase a heavy duty truck and pull a 20+ foot goose-neck type flat bed trailer and pull loads that I want (medium sized?) and loads that can be on my own schedule (edit - see comments below). Choosing loads based on my schedule.

My question is this, well a number of question actually....
1. Can I use a load board to find loads under 20,000 lbs?
2. Which load boards are good/decent/etc.
3. Can I make decent income to pay for gas, hotels and meals hauling loads that are 20,000 lbs or less? (I'm retired Army and get a regular pension, no family, etc. just a mortgage)
4. I understand this is not a "18 wheeler" or big rig hauling for walmart and the like, but I'm curious if this type of carrier service (20,000 lbs or less) has a certain name. Medium haul? LTL?
5. Who's a good insurance carrier for this type of service?
6. Would this type of service be considered the same as a owner operator with the same rules, requirements etc. Or better yet, to learn the business, would I learn the same rules, regulation, restrictions, etc. as a big rig owner operator? Silly question I think, but please comment.
7. Any comments on a good truck? year and model?

Well, that's all I can think of right off the top of whats left of my head ha-ha. Just looking for some guidance and a way to get into long haul trucking without having to work for some big company hauling heavy, heavy loads. Need to work on my own schedule and physical limits.
Thanks.

 

Thanks for the comments.. and to be more specific about "my schedule" comment above. I completely understand loads have schedules and need to go from point A to point B at a certain times and schedules. I'm talking about my schedule in regards to accepting loads or not. If I needed to take time off, I obviously would not schedule a load or be in the middle of a load delivery. Much appreciated FB.

 

Hey Jakaby... thanks for the comments. I had a position with Swift out of school and the thing that is concerning me and why I want to go the route I'm discussing is because I'm under the impression that Swift, or the like, won't appreciate me taking time off whenever I need to. I agree van transport is less physical, but only worried about the choice of choosing loads when I want to or better when I'm able to. I don't think big companies are going to be concerned about when I can and can't drive. I completely understand their need to have drivers available at a drop of a dime. Do you think I'd be "black listed" or even fired if I took the chance and worked for a big company? I can't predict when my disability will pop it's evil f###### head and so I thought it would be better if I tried it on my own. Again thanks for the comments and so happy to hear you made it through the storm. I think we both know how difficult cancer can be. Best wishes.

 

Thanks... well do.

 

Thanks for the comments.. and to be more specific about "my schedule" comment above. I completely understand loads have schedules and need to go from point A to point B at a certain times and schedules. I'm talking about my schedule in regards to accepting loads or not. If I needed to take time off, I obviously would not schedule a load or be in the middle of a load delivery. Much appreciated FB.

 

Hey Jakaby... thanks for the comments. I had a position with Swift out of school and the thing that is concerning me and why I want to go the route I'm discussing is because I'm under the impression that Swift, or the like, won't appreciate me taking time off whenever I need to. I agree van transport is less physical, but only worried about the choice of choosing loads when I want to or better when I'm able to. I don't think big companies are going to be concerned about when I can and can't drive. I completely understand their need to have drivers available at a drop of a dime. Do you think I'd be "black listed" or even fired if I took the chance and worked for a big company? I can't predict when my disability will pop it's evil f###### head and so I thought it would be better if I tried it on my own. Again thanks for the comments and so happy to hear you made it through the storm. I think we both know how difficult cancer can be. Best wishes.