Truck Spec choice

No ca if running old iron. Most highway spec trucks are around 1000-2000 lbs of each other. A large car is gonna be a bit heavier than a plastic set back axle

 

Power only you have a lot less options. If your thinking of going that way you'll be better off leasing to a good carrier than doing PO. Somewhere like Landstar with their trailer that you can pick your own loads and using their wagon. Or a smaller carrier like where my uncle works. He has his own authority but pulls their wagon for a bigger percentage than what the leased on guys get.

It's up to you. If you don't mind doing all the paperwork/back office work your better off running your own show. But on the plus side of being with a carrier like my uncle is, is access to dedicated freight. Most of it being contract freight in this example.

Edit: if you don't want to do the leg work booking and negotiating loads you can still make out very well being leased on. The hard part is finding the right carrier. Pretty much cross all the big ones off your list, it'll save you a lot of headaches. Besides mercer/LS if you wanna run it like your own. My uncle has been pulling a company trailer with his own auth since 2006, has no plans of leaving. My dad was leased on at the same place 1988-02. Small 25-30 truck fleet. If you don't wanna "chase everything" you'll be better off doing that. Find your niche.

Your talking 2023, no idea how the market will be then. It's all speculation now that far out

 

If this is your first o/o job id look at leasing on. There's alot to learn running your own show. Landstar or mercer are good choices but keep in mind with most big carriers they have an age restriction on tractors. Only guys I know of that still run old iron there were grandfathered in. If you want to run an older truck find a small carrier like stated above and run for them for a bit before venturing out on your own.

 

Kenworth might be a bit heavier, but you have resale and a better truck and dealer network.