Why do most owner operators fail?

That what i was thanking. Its somethang every o/o or l/o. should know about.

I know it stuck in my mind. If you get hurt, you cant go trucken. and if the wheels not turn, you not earn.

 

Funny, this morning the following thread is right above this one....
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...or/216835-citys-states-you-will-never-go.html

Hmmm......

Martin

 

I have failed so far because i bought a used truck with 765000 miles. I had breakdowns for last 2 year's straight or tire replacment and permit fees ect...i rented a house the last 9 months which used up the money i need for a rebuild and im in debt to irs. So...breakdowns. Bad fuel mileage. Fees. Low rates for new companies all cost me. Ive spent over 40000 or 50000 maybe more on repairs. You need the right engine. Good fuel mieage is everything. We are a legit company now so we get paid well but still there is this old truck and it takes most our money. Im thinking payments of 650 week we would be doing much better.

 

I would say Catastrophic break downs and failures to do preventable maintenance. That alone can put you in the hole.

 

What engine and what year? I would guess it’s not fuel mileage that killed you but the classic mistake of buying a new-ish cheap emissions engine truck. Usually they’re cheap for a reason.

 

Exactly,.. no one sells a perfectly good money making truck just because he's tired of looking at it. When I bought my truck I was under no illusions that there would be repairs needed.

My first truck had 826k, cosmetically challenged, but had a very reliable pre emissions CAT C15. Originally only got high 4's to low 5's for fuel mileage. After making some mechanical changes and changing driving habits, I managed to get high 5's to mid 6's out of it.

I am anal and habitual when it comes to preventative maintenance. To this day,.. I spend several days going over everything in my trucks when I take home time. I look for leaks, Air, fuel, coolant etc. Hoses, wires and lines chaffing,.. replace and reroute as needed. Check brakes, slack adjusters, bushings, shoes etc. Look for frame and driveline issues on truck and trailer. Anything that could possibly cause a problem while out on the road gets tended to while at home. Its cheaper to replace a $10 hose at home than to call a mobile service and pay $400 for that same $10 hose.

To also help with fuel mileage I bought a nice generator set up with AC and heat so the truck does not need to idle. Anything I could to save money.

The other issue was finding steady reliable work with good rates. Through trial and error, I met some great brokers and shippers and able to stay very profitable now. Even so,.. its still a never ending process of phone calls to find and maintain good reliable sources. Black listing those who I deemed not fit to work for.

This is how I have survived. I took a lot of ribbing and people poking fun for how ugly my first truck was. I honestly didnt care. I was out to make money,.. not showboat. I have a nice truck now,.. but I wouldnt hesitate to buy another ugly truck. I have nice toys at home if I need to show off.

Hurst

 

You forgot to mention you added a carbon fiber hood for your first truck to save weight. Is this new truck is 100% carbon fiber?

 

I rest my case,... LOL

Hurst

 

Lol now don’t be lumping me in with those jealous ne’erdiwells

 

I think most fail by going into trucking without enough capital to start. Buy used trucks and don’t check it over properly. They let the shinny paint suck them in. Also taking loads that don’t pay enough. My starter truck was a 1999 fld with 12.7 Detroit. The old man I got it from held onto the truck because it was his and his wife’s truck and she passed away. He told if I wanted a pretty truck it wasn’t for me but if I wanted a money maker then it was for me. He was correct. Been a great truck with only a air compressor fail so far. I don’t factor my money and spend the extra on good equipment and tires that saves in the long run