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I forgot how expensive this career can be

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Michael H, Oct 2, 2020.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Oct 2, 2020 #1
    Michael H

    Michael H Medium Load Member

    466
    1,023
    Nov 3, 2015
    Arizona
    0
    Fellow O/O's, here's a chuckle for you.

    I reinstated my authority after banking some cash for startup expenses. It's a relief to only work for one jerk now...me.

    I paid $1500 for a set of Michelin steers today. I actually believe it was a deal. Plus, they also moved one of the steers to a trailer wheel that needed a replacement.

    I got home and entered the bill into the ol' computer and gandered at the totals I've spent. Almost three months of sitting around waiting for the gov's to get off their lazy butts and punch a couple of keys on their keyboards.

    During that time, insurance payments each month, I stupidly signed up for a load board too early, so monthly payments there, and all the other joys of restarting the business.

    All said and done, in the past couple of months, I've spent $10k and haven't rolled a mile yet. This business is rough on the wallet! True, not as much as a completely new startup would have been. Plus, I own my truck, trailer, and equipment, which helps.

    No real point to this, just a bit blown away how quickly the expenses add up when you're sitting and waiting.
     
    Michael H, Oct 2, 2020
    Michael H, Oct 2, 2020
    #1
    feldsforever, Lumper Humper, blairandgretchen and 18 others Thank this.
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  3. Oct 2, 2020 #2
    ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Sep 10, 2010
    Flint, MI
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    This post needs to be pinned for when people ask if they can be an O/O part time.
     
    ZVar, Oct 2, 2020
    ZVar, Oct 2, 2020
    #2
    feldsforever, Cattleman84, Lumper Humper and 16 others Thank this.
  4. Oct 2, 2020 #3
    Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Aug 31, 2018
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    It is nuts, indeed.
     
    Midwest Trucker, Oct 2, 2020
    Midwest Trucker, Oct 2, 2020
    #3
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  5. Oct 2, 2020 #4
    KHAN363

    KHAN363 Bobtail Member

    17
    13
    May 25, 2013
    0
    part time lol. I am just starting to be a owner opp. yeah not cheap.
     
    KHAN363, Oct 2, 2020
    KHAN363, Oct 2, 2020
    #4
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  7. Oct 2, 2020 #5
    D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

    21,828
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    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
    0
    Just think if u had a 3500 a month truck payment as well :eek:
     
    D.Tibbitt, Oct 2, 2020
    D.Tibbitt, Oct 2, 2020
    #5
    feldsforever, Orange713, blairandgretchen and 8 others Thank this.
  8. Oct 2, 2020 #6
    InTooDeep

    InTooDeep Donner party survivor

    4,981
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    Jan 17, 2016
    Carmichael CA
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    Been out of service for quite a few weeks now because of a health thing. If I wasn't fortunate to have plenty of back up. I'm sure it would be over for my trucking career. There is nothing inexpensive in this field
     
    InTooDeep, Oct 2, 2020
    InTooDeep, Oct 2, 2020
    #6
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  9. Oct 3, 2020 #7
    TexasKGB

    TexasKGB Light Load Member

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    Oct 15, 2019
    Fiddler's Green
    0
    TexasKGB, Oct 3, 2020
    TexasKGB, Oct 3, 2020
    #7
    Vampire Thanks this.
  10. Oct 3, 2020 #8
    201

    201 Road Train Member

    12,373
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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY BUCKS for a steer tire? Boy, am I out of the loop. And that's just tires. When I had my trucks, I had to take the stance, there will be good days and not so good days. It's the tradeoff for not having a boss over your shoulder. That was when tires were on sale for $199, and a repair didn't require a loan. Couple hundred bucks for a week of repairs was certainly a lot easier than $10g's in a month. In light of recent events, I'm not sure you'll EVER turn a wheel again, the news is just that bad. And you can't sell it, who is going to buy it? Good luck, pal.
     
    201, Oct 3, 2020
    201, Oct 3, 2020
    #8
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  11. Oct 3, 2020 #9
    User666

    User666 Medium Load Member

    346
    888
    Sep 22, 2020
    Northeast Ohio
    0
    Ironman or Kellys can be had for about 400 each installed.
     
    User666, Oct 3, 2020
    User666, Oct 3, 2020
    #9
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  12. Oct 3, 2020 #10
    Troy_

    Troy_ Road Train Member

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    6,633
    Dec 13, 2017
    Roma, Alberta.
    0
    only Michelins for me. steer axle isn't the spot to try and save a few sheckles on rubber.
     
    Troy_, Oct 3, 2020
    Troy_, Oct 3, 2020
    #10
    Bfr38, feldsforever, Dale thompson and 12 others Thank this.
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