Why is it so hard to make money as a independent?

Just because you can make a sandwich do you think you are qualified to own a Subway? Of course not. But with trucking many think because they can drive they can be an O/O.

What is amusing about the OP is that we are in a time where you can fall out of a truck and get a good rate you are asking this question.

It is not that hard to make money in this business IF YOU TREAT IT LIKE A BUSINESS. Actually, it should be easier than being a company driver considering if you do it right you can make a lot more and drive a lot less.

 

How much more money does a successful owner/operator make, as opposed to a company driver? I know it can vary widely, just curious.

 

* not knowing how to negotiate
* not knowing , studying , learning lanes
* stubborness - doing it wrong over and over and over and over.
* pride - not seeking or asking for help and accepting your way isnt working
* MONEY MANAGEMENT
* MONEY MANAGEMENT
* MONEY MANAGEMENT

 

Very, very true.

Equally true.

Selecting a lane with freight out and back convenient to trucker.

 

and

I will also add that not knowing how to optimize

1) Fuel
2) Rate Per Mile
3) Lanes

I learned fast that I could make more money running a 300 mile load for $700, than from running a 1000 mile load for $1500. Most see $1500 and run to that I see 2 days driving 500 miles vs 2 days driving 300 miles each for the same total amount. Also, guys think that you should just fill the tank cause that means less fuel stops, I see that as hauling your money around vs letting it stay in your pocket. Lastly, most don't save enough to cover downtime ( I lost 15 days due to snow, load time delays, and shippers who don't know their receivers.

 

I do business with the philosophy that its not how much you make,.. its how much you get to keep.

Hurst

 

Dunno. Icky Donald Trump and Mike Gerdin (Heartland Express/GTI) probably save more than I do. The one (how much you make) acts as a lid on the other (how much you can keep)...

 

I'm not so sure I accept the premise that it's so hard to make money as an independent. Who'd you hear that from ?

 

In some ways it is easier to make it as an independent today than a few decades ago.

 

Lot Lizards are independent contractors, well most are unless they are a company lizard with their Fleet Manager sitting in a car keeping an eye on them. Go ask them about their business plan. From the looks of some of them they don't hold back money for maintenance.