So you want to "own " your own company

When you do the hopper trailer through your broker for 10%, do they have to do a credit check or lease plan, etc.?

 

No credit check. I'm sure there's a rental agreement though.

 

Great. I gave you some tips on page 2 of this about end dumps in case you ever decide to go that route or get into a situation where you have to pull one. Sorry I haven't gotten around to emailing yet. I've been busy on the mower.

 

Oh musta missed that. Good lookin' out!

It sounds ok, but those pics are outrageous!

 

LOL! It's not that bad. You will/would more than likely be pulling a steel "barrel trailer". Those things aren't bad at all. Both axles stay on the ground which keeps alot of the rocking back and forth out of it. Remember to dump facing the wind or with your back to the wind if it's windy out too. If you don't, a strong gust will blow it over. This happens. If you run an end dump for a length of time it's usually not IF it will happen, but WHEN it will happen. Luckily, the trailers are designed to break away from the tractor when they fall over (if you've got the correct size pins in). Sometimes they'll tip and it's not your fault. Sometimes your product will freeze or get stuck on one side which causes this to happen. We always had to spray our trailer liners with molasis looking stuff in the Winter before loading. This kept it from sticking/freezing to the sides of the trailer.

 

I say you will/would more than likely pull a barrel trailer because they're more versatile. You can haul 18 inch rip rap rock, sand, gravel, or whatever you want in those. Whereas an alluminum end dump youre limited to sand, gravel, wheat, etc. The big rock tears the trailers up.

 

O.K. Could someone please clarify for me! I am actively out looking to replace my 92 Freightshaker with a newer Kenworth. I am currently looking at two which are being sold by O/O's who are retiring. I know about the Heavy Haul Usage Tax, but is there any truth to what "Rookie O/O, vet driver" said about the law in reference to back taxes. Should I be concerned about the FreightShaker I bought 4 years ago and will get a call from "The Man" demanding back taxes? Should I be asking for a copy of the current 2290 if I buy a truck from an O/O? Where can I go myself to check on a truck and make sure it has no back taxes on it? And finally, I thought the taxes were against the MC/Owner and not specifically against the truck?
Thanks everyone for this posting, it has a lot of good info on it!

 

There is some very good information on here. Personally, I'm thinking about going the owner/operator route after 30 years in engineering and management. My current contract (program manager) runs out in 3-6 months.

I'm 55 this year and really always to do some trucking. Couple that with I have no experience or truck, but willing to learn.

My girlfriend lives in Alberta, Canada and I live in Idaho sould would like to do sort of a regional long haul between Canada and US.

So, license (local school.... Sage) or self study or ?? I know I can do it.

Equipment.. Several dealers. I've heard peterbilt 378 or other might work well. Looking to spend around 50K or so.

Other then that, I'm really not sure. Would like to talk to a few folks and see if they can change my mind for me.

Thanks folks.

 

Ok, here is my opinion. I am also a retired Communications Engineer, and wife is a psychologist, so I don't have to work. I own a construction company, my brother and I used to own 5 trucks (Got out of that part of the business), and am in the National Guard. I am in the process of going O/O after driving my own stuff around for my construction company. If you're military (I know your not but some else reading this might be) Werner has a special program for new drivers with a military background. They will sign you on, put you though the school using your GI bill, and then put you on as a driver. Since your not, and your obviously educated. Let me say this. (keep in mind you'll get 20 different opinions here)! First, starting any business in a down economy is really tough! So keep that in mind, better have a lot of $ in reserve that you can afford to lose.
I would highly recommend a school, for many reasons, but the biggest is Safety! You can lose everything if (due to inexperience) if commit vehicular manslaughter, because you can't control the 90,000 pound of truck and freight, and take out a car load of soccer kids. Trust me, I have come close, and I have been driving for years! Also if you're not a mechanic, I would suggest that you consider getting a newer truck that still has some warranty on the motor. Now your problem is ether to find someone to take you on, or find customers. If your not experienced behind the wheel, I strongly suggest finding someone who will take you on as a newby out of the driving school. Remember that this is just to get the experience! And finding someone who treats newby's well is really hard. Your gona hear a lot of promises. But just keep in mind that it is so you can get your ticket punched for 6 months. Then find someone who will treat you right. Having said all that. You have one thing going for you, your GF wants to drive with you. I would look at and Inline, with a nice sleeper, and go for the (Expedite) market. There are some pretty good companies that want team drivers for Expedite, Fed Ex, etc. and I have some friends who just closed the house up, drove for a year, and made enough to buy a brand new Kenworth inline. This would be a little easier for you, safer, and give you a chance to learn the ropes, then move up to the bigger stuffl Good Luck, Stay safe!

 

Thank you so much for the feedback. I think I could swing paying cash for a truck if a decent price. There's a local school (SAGE) that I am looking in to as they seem to have a pretty good record and I also believe in safety. I have 3-4 months left on my current contract with my employer and need to make some pretty tough decisions. One thing to clear up is that my GF will not be team driving with me as she is employed full time in Canada. That is where I would like to call 'home'. I also know the regional runs will be mountain driving which I don't mind. I also agree getting a newer rig with some sort of warranty. I do my own mechanic work, but nothing on this size truck.

Thanks and I'll keep looking for more responses...

David