New want to get my own truck

Well number 1 you've only got 6 months experience... Not many people will even hire you as an O/O leased to them at 6 months experience... and if you tried to run your own numbers insurance would cost upwards of around $25,000 first year with a 25% down payment.. but the answer to your question you can get loads from the DAT board... In your case yes it is easier to be a company driver since your gonna retire in 2 years... Maybe @Chinatown can give you some tips on a good company

 

Stay company for at least 5 years, then think about it.

 

When the wife retires, would she get a CDL?
This is important to know for creating a future plan.

 

There will always be a need for good truck drivers.

There currently is an over capacity of equipment in the "Spot" market ( especially in the dry van sector) after rates skyrocketed in 2018 due to tight capacity, so rates are down to 2017 levels. There is always a market somewhere for that customer who is willing to pay for it. Be they shippers, Brokers or 3PL's. Like any business you have to find your niche and negiotiate wisely.

I would suggest you continue to learn the industry, while driving someone else's truck ( kind of like getting a scholarship) once you feel ready... make the jump

There are many sources for loads. Load boards on the interweb abound, and folks in forums such as this one, are a lot smarter than me, can share their thoughts and experiences. Listen carefully and avoid getting sucked into the negativity vortex The trend is heading towards the freight apps.

Companies like Amazon, Uber and the traditional freight providers are quickly utilizing this resource. Once again...do your due dilligince as you have in your other businesses. Trucking is brutal, truck ownership, if done incorrectly is unforgiving! Good luck to you.

 

See, THIS is why I love this place. Experience informing the inexperienced. Saving them from impending disaster. Take heed OP. These pros speak the truth of experience.

 

Op, there is a lot to this but I won't bore you with my take because post number five is the best explained answer to your questions.

Yeah one reason why I stick around but the problem is like other forums is this ...

A lot of questions are asked to justify a decision no matter how bad they are and the person asking questions will ignore the safe advice of the experienced person in order to hear what they want to hear,

 

Agreed. You can’t save a person from himself. (I was actually going to write that in my previous post)

 

in 2012 I had roughly 3 years experience and I was gonna do Lease Purchase... I was so dead set on it that nobody could talk me out of it... My dad was the one who actually talked me out of it... 2 weeks later the company sold out to Celadon... So glad I didn't make that move..

 

Read and learn and make your conclusion.
One more thing that I will add is KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES.
the only reason I continue in this business is FREEDOM, however , as you know everything has a price tag .
Going anywhere you want , anytime you want , for the rate you want ..... is not easy . You decide .