Thinking about a carrier change

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Fish'n Fool, Jun 15, 2021.

  1. Fish'n Fool

    Fish'n Fool Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for the apology and the feedback. I only posted this so I didn't have to scroll through 100"s and 100"s of other post to get the input/answers I'm looking for. I love to drive and thought this might be for me. Thanks again!
     
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  3. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    How much money do you have?

    Like anything in life you will be paying to learn. Either through experience or cash. Thing is, if you pay in cash for that knowledge there tends to be much better ways to invest your money.
     
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  4. Fish'n Fool

    Fish'n Fool Bobtail Member

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    Thank you! I was afraid someone was going to say this, lol... But thank you for the search topic tips!
     
  5. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    You certainly can, it's expensive, insurance will bend you over a barrel for at least the first couple years. Doubt a bank is going to be willing to loan you the money to buy a truck with no experience in trucking. That leaves you stuck with the leasing companies like Penske, Ryder, or somebody. How much experience do you have backing up pickups and trailers? What's the biggest trailer you've ever pulled? This isn't driving a car, not trying to be an a-hole that's just a simple fact.
     
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  6. Fish'n Fool

    Fish'n Fool Bobtail Member

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    Lol, I understand this isn't driving a car... I have pulled/backed ect.. up to 30' travel trailers. If I thought I couldn't drive the truck I wouldn't consider it as a carrier. If I decide to do this, I would take a class as well. I have PERFECT!! credit, along with a sizable down payment and plenty of collateral.. so unless experience is a huge factor in financing, I don't see a problem getting a truck. And I'm not opposed to a leaser. It's the insurance that worries me, from what I'm hearing. Thank you for the input, appreciated :)
     
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  7. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Buying a truck is the easy part. Keeping it running and running profitably is the main hurdle.
    Trucking is deceptive. It looks easy from the outside but there are a thousand little things to know that can trip you up if you're not paying attention.
     
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  8. Fish'n Fool

    Fish'n Fool Bobtail Member

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    I'm under no illusion that trucking is easy. I consider myself to be capable of managing expenses well enough to make money, this is why I'm gathering information before making any decisions. Thank you for your input.
     
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  9. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I'll tell you why experience is important.

    This business has something like a 90 or 95% failure rate. The old adage is that if you want to have $1,000,000 in trucking, start with $2,000,000. There's quite a bit of Truth in that.

    The thing is that there's just so much expense in this business. It cost so much to operate. Everywhere you turn money is going out and someone is always trying to get you to pay more for something whether you need it or not.

    And every single solitary mistake that you make - guaranteed - will cost you money.

    Experience minimizes that.
     
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  10. MTN Boomer

    MTN Boomer Road Train Member

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    Try hot shot, move up from there, a dually pick up and a flatbed trailer..
     
  11. RStewart

    RStewart Road Train Member

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    They're much better ways to get a better return on your investment than trucking.

    But that wasn't your question so the answer is yes you can do it. You will probably have to run your truck leased to a carrier because I don't think you're going to find a company that will insure you as a motor carrier with no experience at all. When I got started I bought a 1 ton dually and a 48ft flatbed for it. I already had the truck and trailer and found out I needed something called an authority to haul freight. Couldn't believe I had to have the government's permission to haul stuff. That's how green I was when I got started. I leased the truck to a carrier and off I went. Had some knowledgeable people at the company that helped me a lot but none of them helped me on the business side. That's the hard part of being an O/O or any business owner really. I lasted about 8 months and I sold out and went to drive for someone. That's when I learned the trucking industry.

    Do you know what drives the trucking industry? What causes rates to go up and down? When to say no because the load looks like it pays really good but they're other things that actually cause it to be a bad load?

    Holding a steering wheel and running down the interstate is a company driving job. As an O/O driving the truck is the easiest part of your job.

    I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying you the truth. Lots of other good advice here about driving for someone and learning the industry first.

    You can disregard everything and go ahead and do it but be sure you would be just as happy with taking your money to a burn barrel and lighting it on fire. It's going to be about that way for you to lose it.

    In summary, can you do it, yes. Is it wise, no. 99% will fail trying to do what you want to do. Maybe you're a 1%er.
     
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