New owner operator

Go Skateboard. You will never look back.

 

Skateboard. Get all aluminum Bigbubba you will love it.

 

Flatbed is more physical work, but the rates are slightly higher from what I've come to understand from other users here, and there is more flexibility with what you can haul. Aside from something really, really fragile, you can pretty much put anything on a deck with the right securement. Not everything that can go on a deck will fit in a van/reefer (anything longer than 8 feet, unless you load it in with rollers and a ceiling crane, won't fit).

For what kind of trailer, a 53' spread axle step deck gives the greatest flexibility for shippers for height, length and weight (you can load up to 40K on the rear axles).

@Hurst is going to have a lot more advice on the actual business end of things.

And there are places where you won't want to run freight into, because getting out is #### near impossible. I've heard this tends to be areas like Florida, Montana and Colorado. Places that specialize in manufacturing are always good to run into, because they have goods that need to go places where you can reload with resources they use (steel or lumber). Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania are great for this (and if you want to run into Canada, get a split axle you can close, and run steel into Saskatchewan and Alberta).

 

Congrats on taking the plunge! I wish you well on your new endeavor.

 

A 3 axle SD with 17.5 Tires, will give you the greatest flexibility, spend a few extra for a brace that can support a load hanging off the top deck, yet snug up against the front deck when it's not needed. I've seen guys carry a couple of sheets a marine grade ply. What they made in being able to haul an extra few LTL's over the course of the year more than compensated for the extra weight.
One more thought, very expensive however, If affordable look into Faymonville Trailers, they are hands down top of the line trailers.

 

You are diving in well prepared financially. Since you will have your own authority I think the trailer you invest into depends on the customers you plan on contracting with... Especially the ones that may be in your local area... If you live in a retail based area, you may do real well with a van... If you live in an industrious area a flat would be better suited... I pull flat and have clearly seen my gross revenue increase of that compared to van but then again I'm leased to a carrier... So, your operation plan and locational advantage is kind of critical in determining what trailer is needed...

If your were in that high retail area and you wanted to be home weekly and you score a direct contract with Amazon or whomever, then boom, a flat is worthless to you and that particular contract...

 

Great advice Hope, I'm glad this board was started, there's always good advice, backed up with practical sense. Throw some good old fashion humor in every so often, this is fun place to visit, can't be beat.

 

You stated you wanted honest advice.....I have owned my own truck for 18 years and had authority last 4. I mean myself I think you should give all that money to me, let me kick you in nabs and we will call it a day. But I don't blame you for having a dream. Understand from what I see, a used truck 35-40k, a trailer 15-20, and that's conservative, plus your 30-35 leftover, man I don't think I could pull the trigger on turning loose of that, I mean my first truck was a cabover Peterbilt I traded a 72 Chevrolet and 1500 bucks too and I promise you when I left home in that truck all I had was a few quarters to call home when I broke down. Now I leased onto a carrier then, they gave me a fuel advance and paid me weekly. Getting your authority, you gonna pay all your fuel, tolls, and any maintenance upfront and considering you don't know which type of trailer you will be pulling I have to assume you will be hauling from broker boards. some brokers offer a 2 day pay and some offer 30 day, 90 day, or we never pay. You wanted honest advice, that 35k you have saved can disappear in a week or a month with a few bad choices. Its easy to see how lucrative a business it is, but you rarely see anyone on these forums and see the heartbreak and disappointment and broken families that failure in this business brings. You toss around that kind of money and this time next year I hope you tripled your money, but my honest advice you seek.....you won't. Now back to the business, if you have your heart set on it, buy you a pre emissions truck, a decent trailer with good tires. Don't do California, those drivers hauling for the same money now that it was 10 years ago. Don't accept broker loads without 2 day pay until you get the hang of things. Don't get involved in factoring, it will cost you more in the long run. Find some steady runs and stay away from problem areas. Never haul a load for the price the broker first quote, it's a negotiation. Take some of that 35k and fill your side box with tools, stay out of garages. If you have a leaking hose change it and save the old one trust me you will need it someday. Enroll in a drug screen with anyone don't even try to manage that. Ooida has one and it's well
Worth it. you will get a dot audit within first year, have your paperwork for drug testing, they won't come to take you to jail if something isn't right, the first one is a slap on the hands and teach you where you went wrong. I really hope you do well and the best of luck.

 

What is the smart way to get runs lined up before I buy or lease?