Looking at Forward Air

Let me start off with some history about myself, I've been driving about 6 years, with a mix of van, flatbed, and heavy steel experience. I've somewhat forayed into ownership before, pulling RVs out of Indiana. I have a decent amount of business sense and know how to look at and figure my books.

I have enough cash to pay for a good used truck outright (around $60k), with a maintenance reserve, and to float the family for 2-3 months. As far as the truck, I'm thinking a 379 with a 6NZ (hopefully with a recent overhaul). Based on my research, I feel this is the best option to limit downtime.

I'm looking at Forward Air's LTL division. For those of you that aren't familiar with it, it's light loads (usually less than 20k), all drop and hook between their terminals. Yes, the rates are far from the best. $1.09 loaded and $0.98 empty, plus $0.02 if you have Hazmat. I feel that these rates are justified because of what this arrangement offers: No dealing with outside customers/brokers, no (or at least very limited) delays with loading and unloading, and no looking for loads and haggling rates. I feel like this mitigates my risk. Another reason I like this setup is because if all goes well, I plan to add a few trucks over the years, and this would take out a lot of the hassle of the day-to-day operations, at least while I'm also still on the road.

So my questions to the community are:
Is there anyone on here with current or very recent experience with this division?
Does this sound like a reasonable venture, or am I talking myself into it?
Does anyone know of better/similar operations?

Thanks in advance to everyone, I appreciate your time.

 

I had a pretty good feeling that's exactly where it was going. If it were as good as they say it is, everybody would be doing it.

By that, I meant that I bought a dually pickup and pulled single RVs to dealerships. No brokers, IFTA, insane insurance, etc.

I can some basic PM at home, but that's about it.
$2300 I can live with. I live pretty frugally, so I would say that I could replace the money in about 2 years. That's granted everything goes right, of course.

But that is exactly what this money is for, I just need to be sure to do the best possible thing with it.

 

I actually do have a pretty good job currently, driving for a small fleet owner, but it's still my ultimate goal to get a truck and work for myself.