Owner ops gots loom here

Have you worked as a company driver at all?
If so, you should make at least the same as a company driver during bad times and at least twice as much during good times. The bad times are prevailing, and the good times are short, so when the good times come, you should work to the point of throwing up at the very sight of a truck. But you need to find out for yourself what it takes to earn money as a company driver first.

 

Look around as you drive. You see lots of big rigs parked in front of homes and sorry to say myself included most aren’t living in mansions! If you want real guaranteed money and not much risk go find one of the top paying companies and work for them. Walmart says they’ll pay 90k. I see others say 80k. Lots of dedicated jobs pay low 70s. Home Depot in my area will pay you 54k and you’ll be home each night by 6 off weekends. That’s all guaranteed, with retirement and 401k match, insurance, etc.

You O/O because you love it, because you want more independence not for money. If you’re chasing money don’t do it. Do it because you love it and the money will come.


Above all else. God is in control.

 

Every time I see one of these threads, I see a response similar to this statement.
I have to wonder if there's ever a good time to buy a truck?

That being said, I personally wouldn't jump into it right now until at least the election and the 'Rona virus is settled. Then see where the country stands.

 

Very nicely put.

 

You said you want to "get a truck". That means you have basically two options. Shell out the cash for a used one you can afford in one shot, or make payments on something newer. There's tradeoffs. If you get an older used one, you don't have a monthly payment, but you'll be working on it 24/7. If you get a newer one, you won't have to work on it all the time, but you might be looking at $3,000 a month for the payment. At that point, you're a slave to the truck, because it's taking money from you whether it sits or not.

I haven't been around long enough to tell you what I make in a year. But I can tell you, I've already spent $54,000 getting off the ground, and I do all my own mechanic work, and there has been a LOT of it. I can't imagine how much I would have to spend if I couldn't turn my own wrenches. That number also doesn't include my trailer, because I'm making $1,500 per month payments on it. But you could add that $25,000 to the $54,000 if you want.

Anyways, it might not be as easy as "getting a truck". I think you should get your feet wet with an outfit like Swift first. It won't pay $100k, but it will let you and your wife see what it's like being away from each other for weeks at a time, and it will let you see if you even really want to drive a truck in the first place. Then, if it doesn't work out for you, you can just walk away and go back to doing whatever it is you were doing in the first place.

If you and your wife end up liking the new lifestyle, then the $100k per year requirement might become more negotiable, and maybe your wife won't resent you in the future. I will say for sure, if she's not on board with your decision, she'll begin to hate the truck, and then hate you, and then you'll both be looking for a lawyer. It's best to make her feel involved as possible.

That way, if it doesn't work out, and you're good with words, you can blame her for the whole thing!!!!!!!! "WTF, woman? Why you make me drive truck??"

Edit: And FFS, man, it's "Peterbilt".

 

@God prefers Diesels , always thinking...

 

I see alot of rigs parked outside trailer parks, lol.

 

Tell the wife she nees to turn wrenches on it then.

 

Peterbilt will send u to the poor house and ur wife will leave u for a volvo driver.

 

@Jeepie
Read and reread post 7,15.
@Dino soar and @God prefers Diesels covered your situation very well imo.