Trying to decide what type of truck to get?

Statistics prove conclusively that the overwhelming majority of truck driver quit their jobs while at home. So the ridiculously shortsighted corporate "logic" is "if we never send him home then he will never want to quit."

 

Hmm.. I didn't know that! It makes sense, you get a lot more time to question things.

 

I have no idea about hotshots. Insurance rates are high across the board for commercial trucking, and you're planning on throwing 3 very high risk aggravators at the underwriters.

Hauling freight commercially is not like hauling something for yourself. It's not just strap it and go. When you put 48,000 lbs of steel on your deck, you'd better know how to secure it, safely and legally. To see what can happen when someone doesn't, go here...
The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

Yes you do need to do your homework if you want to run under your own numbers.

And, yes if you buy an older truck, in time you'll have replaced enough parts on it to build a whole new truck. A lot of guys have bought older trucks, spent a couple years working on them, and ended up with some really nice equipment. Bear in mind, since you live in Idaho, you won't be able to go to California with an old truck.

Let's see if @singlescrewshaker will stop in, he could probably give you some good advice.

What you're proposing can and has been done, just make sure you're squared away from day 1.

 

I don't drive, just hear a lot. But definitely would need to do your homework. There's a LOT of just oddball laws/legalities you need to abide by. Some of them sort of baffle me, but as they say, that's TRUCKIN.

 

True, but the main reason driver wait till they're home to quit is because if they quit while on the road then they need to find a way home.

 

That is really not the best way to enter this industry. If you are serious about becoming an O/O, you need to take a more sensible approach. Get your CDL through an accredited School and your 160 hour certificate. Go to work as a Company Driver for 2-3 years. You NEED to learn the ropes out here. It is not just as simple as, Buy a truck, haul freight, make big money. Just because you are an expert aircraft grade aluminum welder, it doesn't mean you can set up shop and start selling parts to Boeing. There are no shortcuts.