New guy...long post

New guy here, lurking around. I own my own truck (2008 WS 4900 which will be paid off this Fall), and have been doing local ag hauling during harvest in Michigan 9 weeks out of the year for the past 3 years. (Most likely the easiest type of driving compared to what you guys do.) My truck sits the rest of the year and I'm contemplating doing some loadboard work.

I have my own authority and DOT#. I just signed up to get my IFTA. The only insurance I've purchased in the past was for the tractor and the leased trailer only.

I'm a retired firefighter with a pension. Since retiring 4 years ago I've started a self-storage business, became a landlord with 8 units, snow plow a couple of small but lucrative commercial accounts and do the ag hauling in the Fall. The wife works full-time and we live well within our means.

Instead of letting the truck sit, I'm considering doing some hauling part time. If things go well, I may choose to expand. In the mean time I'd like to get my feet wet with the least financial exposure possible.

1. I'm hoping to find a place that will lease a dry van to a new guy. I've contact Xtra and they said I didn't meet their qualifications. I'm still searching for a company to lease from.
2. I've signed up for DAT and have been messing with it for the last two days trying to learn the in's and out's. My plan is to book a short haul just to get one under my belt.
3. Because I don't need to haul regularly or to make "X" amount a year, am I in a good position to list my truck and make the most from brokers who need a load moved? If so, how would you go about doing this? Should I bounce from broker to broker or establish a relationship with one that books a lot of runs in my area?
4. Is there anything else I need before I take the plunge?

I'm scouring the forums daily to learn as much as possible. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

That thought has crossed my mind. I live in farm country and enjoy the ag hauling business and the people. Looking at all options. If I can make some good money hauling last minute loads, well, that's intriguing too.