So you want to "own " your own company

it's a big cam II, only difference is the IV has the low flow cooling system. I do have a direct drive fan which I figure is costing me .5mpg. The dual feed fuel lines isn't increasing your fuel milage. Many people even say they don't get you any more power like it's advertised but that's another subject all together. Fuel lines are not original but not new either.
Also it's on a flat top conventional with a good bit of gap between the sleeper and trailer. And cabovers are not as aerodynamicly chalenged as most people think. Wind drag is dependant on your overall frontal surface area. A cabover doesn't neccesarily have more frontal area it's' just flatter but you take a conventional and hang dual stacks, air cleaners etc etc it add up fast.

not to say cabovers are streamlined.

 

W2W...What is the back-slap like on that truck? I remember driving a COE in the late 70's that could sure smack me in my upper back from time to time. I had to sit up straight and not touch the back of the chair sometimes. How does your truck ride? Can you update the suspension on that old Kenny?

 

gota get some wheelbase to take that slap out of a cabover.


Looks like I got 5.7mpg on my last tank. hard to tell with not filling it up but that's what it looks to be. That's my best so far but I've been running like 60 to 63 with 34k in the box trying to make my fuel stretch or I may not make it to my delivery

 

Bobtailing, it can be considerable, depending on the road. There is a section on I-78 just as you come across from PA into NJ they are redoing that is unbelievable. The speed limit through construction there is 50, but I can't do much more than 35 bobtailing because of the ride.

As far as a comparison with another short wheelbase rig. On decent roads, there is very little backslap compared to an old R model Mack I used to drive. For example, the transition from the highway surface to a bridge deck and back in the R model was like riding a bucking bronco. Bobtailing in the K100, unless it's a really poorly done joint, it is hardly noticeable.

With a trailer on, it's a really nice riding truck, and backslap is very much minimized - even on crappy roads. The 8-bag air ride really does a good job.

 

Once I get my own authority, truck, etc. and i'm all set up and ready to go, what's my first move? Go online and find a load? Do you have to fax your information to the broker or what? Can someone give it to me step by step? Thanks.

 

Best to keep one ongoing thread and ask all your questions there.

Lease-on will be hard with a felony and only 1 year experience, so getting your own authority and insurance is best.

Figure out what type of freight/trailer you want to pull. Don't rule out looking at some rarer freight types, for instance I chose a hopper bottom, it's a bit easier to find freight right now. You want to find a dedicated broker. Someone you can call on the phone and get your loads from. You can find some on places like live loads or craigs.

People can and do get loads from boards, but only more established truckers are going to be able to make that work for a while since rates are really down. With an older truck, especially if it has been sitting for a year before you took it, it is going to have at LEAST minor to moderate problems that come out of nowhere during the first month or two of running again. This is a given, not bad luck. Bad luck is blowing a motor, but you will have problems and they will all be expensive to fix as you go. You will likely be under-capitalized to start (little to no cash in the bank) so it is too hard to keep your head above water with those board loads.

But yes, you fax all your info to the broker so they know you are legal and ready to run, then you can grab loads. It's pretty easy once you are set up.

After the truck you're looking at around 5k for tags and insurance, and all your first payments will come due before you have made anything. If you are borrowing money from anyone it is important you know all this ahead of time or you will look like a deadbeat after the first month and people will start to get paranoid. Don't let that happen because you're going to need more money than you previously had or asked for.

Good luck.

 

I appreciate the info. I was kind of thinking that about the felonies and exp. hindering me on a lease. Does the broker call you or do you have to call them and say "hey im in such and such Arizona and im looking for a load going towards such and such Texas, or wherever? You can answer me in the other thread if you want, that way we don't get all scattered out in the forum like you mentioned.

 

That would be the case if you are using multiple brokers and sites. But as I said it's best to have a dedicated broker for a few reasons. 1. you're bound to get better freight as your relationship grows and 2. that broker would always know where you're going so they can pre-plan your next one or two loads in advance for you. Generally you wouldn't say where you want to go unless you're ready to go home, or if you happen to be picky about your running areas.

When you have a dedicated broker who's any good you also get a manager and a dispatcher in this person so there is a certain level of comfort and stability. You also need to learn when to turn down a load as well though as they won't always be best for your business, but you don't want to get in the habit of cherry-picking every load either. You'll see what I mean as time goes on.

 

How long have you been doing this? You seem to know quite a bit in regards to these kind of questions. i appreciate the information you provide as well i'm sure others do. I am in the planning stages right now for this type of venture myself and have been reading as much as i can to try and learn a lot of the little tricks or habits of you O/O's. Keep the great information flowing.

 

Not long, but I've done all of this very recently so it's all fresh in my mind. I'm learning as I go as well and these are the things I know for sure so far. Basically keep your ears open and really listen what people say, their experiences and try to avoid the bad stuff. I've also probably read every thread and post on here for the last 6 months or longer and that has helped tremendously. You guys are doing the right thing by researching and asking what you don't know. It worked for me.