Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

With a paid for truck, no recruiting, no driver retention costs, no office/administrative, costs, and working dry van type freight, which always moves, you are way robust IMHO. Although your income will certainly fluctuate, you are relatively immune from the type of catastrophic fluctuation that could befall someone who is leasing a new heavy haul truck and a 9 axle to work the oil patch.

I do think that you should not buy an older, high-mileage truck unless you have a space, the tools and the knowledge to do almost all the inevitable repairs.

 

Well, older high mileage trucks are ok, so long as you have the maintenance fund accounted for. Last year mine ran .34 cpm, this year about .10cpm I think.

Agreed though. I think DY covered many of the smaller repairs himself, but an inframe or gearbox type repair is going to hit the shop.

I'm still a fan of the 'cash truck ' model.

 

I have appreciated the fact that DY is quite analytical in his approach to this industry. But, good fuel mileage only goes so far in this business.
As someone stated, it's supply and demand in this business. There are good times and bad.
I commend DY for getting his own authority and his honesty in his experiences in this industry.
Trucking is tough. As a guy who drove for 20 years, I've always believed there's got to be an easier way to make a living. But I kept doing it anyway.
I think there must be something wrong with me .

 

There's nothing wrong with you!!!...I've had the fortune (or misfortune) to have built up 2 other businesses before coming into trucking. Worked as an employee, went out on my own, then sold them once I got them going....makes me (and my wife!!!) wonder what's wrong with me!!!...similar complaints were common in both industries!!! (over regulation, low margins, high turnover, the big players are ruining it for the small guy, the people just don't get it...yadda, yadda, yadda!!!!).

There are ups and downs in all industries ( dam near anyone could make $$$ in real estate in, say 2004-2006....every one was flipping houses and becoming a tycoon...then 2008-20010...., finance in 1996-2000 was easy....then 2000-2003 .......and so on...)

My job as a husband and a father is to provide for my family....as long as I can do so and the sound of my trucks turbo spooling up is still music to my ears (as opposed to a getting a depressing, soul crushing feeling every time I open the trucks door..) then I'll continue being an owner operator...when either situation changes, I'll sell the truck and do something else!!!

The fact is, making a living (in any industry) is a hard thing, might as well pick something you love ad stick with it!!!!! Some people are just serial entrepreneurs, whatever works for you. That's the beauty of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!!!!

Thanks DY for a Very informative thread!

God Bless you all, and God bless the USA!!!!

 

Problem is, we are turning into the Land of the Over-regulated and the home of the Scared and helpless.

 

Well said - that sums me up too. Love that turbo whistle, hate being gone , that last 'song of my people ' to my exit warms my heart -

And yes, every small business I see has pressures akin to ours.

From an immigrant, that could have not achieved the same thing back 'home', I appreciate it every day.

God bless this weird and wonderful country, including its over regulations.

 

DY, is the trailer still for sale? If so, are the logistics post 4' or 2' on center? If 2' could you post inside and undercarriage pictures?

 

The danger of analyzing your competitive position based on one or two "cost advantages" is that costs are only half of the picture; revenue is the other half.

As an independent, keeping a continuous stream of revenue is difficult. Keeping the wheels turning is hard enough. Doing it at an attractive rate is another.

Think of it this way: cost per mile is discussed in cents per mile, but revenue can fluctuate a dollar per mile and more. Costs are important, but revenue is critical.

 

any updates? sold the truck? still got it? working? not working? what's the scoop....