Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Farmerbob1, Jan 7, 2019.

  1. Michael 247

    Michael 247 Heavy Load Member

    768
    3,519
    Nov 20, 2017
    Dublin Va
    0
    I see a lot of Clean Trucks getting washed ...
     
    Farmerbob1 Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

    3,685
    5,784
    Jan 17, 2017
    0
    When I waste a third of a driving day sitting in line behind pretty trucks getting their chrome polished, my frustrations are focused on the cause of the problem.

    Pretty trucks in washout lanes are like a bunch of teenage girls gathered around the sink and doing their makeup while you are waiting to wash your hands after doing an oil change.
     
    dwells40 Thanks this.
  4. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

    3,685
    5,784
    Jan 17, 2017
    0
    I definitely agree with you on a clean dash. The only thing on my dash is the spare soda jammed to the far left to hold it in place, and American flag hat next to it. There's a difference between being organized and washing a clean truck so it's more sparkly.
     
    TallJoe Thanks this.
  5. fordconvert

    fordconvert Light Load Member

    236
    535
    Jul 21, 2012
    nebraska
    0
    Flash is cash, right?
    My trucks stay clean whether they are getting a little rough around the edges or not.
    If this is all it takes to get under your skin, I am amazed that you have been hanging in there as long as you have.
     
    lester, Long FLD, JonJon78 and 2 others Thank this.
  6. Itsbrokeagain

    Itsbrokeagain Light Load Member

    155
    199
    May 31, 2019
    0
    I don't have skin in the game but even in my current career, keeping my work truck clean is an extension of my personality and I do what I can to keep it swept out and the cab clean.

    If I have a contractor at my house for some work, first thing I do is look at his truck when I get a chance....if the back of it has material and tools strewn about in a clapped out mess, how does the job usually go?
    "Oh i couldn't find this or that, took me longer" or the general quality of the work done is sub par.

    And likewise with the DOT. I do have a Class B and keeping a sparking truck has let me slide by everytime.
     
  7. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

    3,685
    5,784
    Jan 17, 2017
    0
    In my experience, flash costs cash. That's why I don't waste my time and money on it. If your truck is a bit dusty, but well maintained, and not full of junk, than anyone who rejects your business is an idiot.

    I won't hire a guy in a three piece suit to cut my yard.
     
    TallJoe and dwells40 Thank this.
  8. TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

    7,490
    16,266
    Apr 12, 2016
    Chicagoland
    0
    LOL...me neither.
     
    Itsbrokeagain and Farmerbob1 Thank this.
  9. Scooter Jones

    Scooter Jones Road Train Member

    9,551
    19,970
    Apr 19, 2011
    0
    It's comforting to know that Bob has learned the secret of profitability in this industry ;-)
     
  10. 062

    062 Road Train Member

    5,849
    31,702
    Oct 20, 2013
    0
    Wait there’s a secret.... why haven’t y’all told me?:oops:
     
    Farmerbob1 and TallJoe Thank this.
  11. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

    16,271
    91,139
    Dec 18, 2011
    South GA
    0
    ok, so $8000 a year in truck washes......maybe works for you, and perhaps the ROI is worth it......I sincerely doubt it, but it could be true.
    The rest of us are working on margins that won't support that kind of investment.
    Maybe you're the outlier, maybe you're the 'special guy' with the 'special, super secret' account.....I doubt it.
    Or, maybe you're the guy at the diner counter running his mouth.
    My guess.
    Or perhaps you're too prideful to understand that a truck is not an extension of one's personality, rather a way to make money.

    Listen.....a truck is a TOOL to make money. Take care of it and it will take care of you. And that doesn't involve washing it twice a week.......That's just straight up silly.
     
    beardeddriver and Farmerbob1 Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.