Company to o/o. Where do I begin?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by apickupman, Dec 6, 2022.

  1. apickupman

    apickupman Bobtail Member

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    I've been a company driver for 19 yrs. I've been considering buying a truck the whole time, but I never felt ready or knowledgeable enough.
    I've had some o/o's tell me I could be really successful with landstar in upstate SC.

    Can someone give me solid advice on how to navigate the process of getting a solid used truck and migrating out the company rut?
     
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  3. Diabel321

    Diabel321 Bobtail Member

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    Save up about 100k Buy a truck for 60k trailer for 30k Insurance first year 10k maintance 10k getting own authority 3k. Work your ### off and you might end up with 30k a year. Not a good time to get into O/O everyone is under bidding each other. But if you stil want it. Start with a company that will help you through the process of setting up own authority.
     
  4. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    Honestly if you spent all those years and did not learn anything about being an o/o, you shouldn't bother. Don't make important life decisions, just because someone said something
     
    D.Tibbitt, JoeyJunk, Milr72 and 9 others Thank this.
  5. RunningAces

    RunningAces Road Train Member

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    Youtube. People don't like to hear it but start watching all the videos on YouTube about the steps you need to take to lease on to whatever company you're interested in. Or watch videos on what you need to do to get your authority.

    I haven't ever worked with them but for the size Landstar is I'd imagine they will hold your hand a bit get you started. Maybe they throw in a few curve balls to weed out the worst of the dummies though idk. A big place like that will definitely be cheaper to get on with than coughing up the money for a trailer, years insurance, etc you'll need if you are getting your authority. Don't spent a dollar until you start getting a feel for what you want to do and how you want to do it.
     
  6. RunningAces

    RunningAces Road Train Member

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    Oh yeah, as far as getting a good used truck goes. You can do a lot of due diligence, have a mechanic inspect it, ask for maintenance records, etc etc but you're buying a used truck with hundreds of thousands of miles so #### will go wrong. I don't think I'd jump in until truck prices drop significantly, if they ever do. Like around $60-$65k for a 2019ish with about 400k miles.
     
  7. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    The shop i service my truck just purchased cascadia with 425k miles for 60k off an auction ( updated hood ... Most likely 2019)
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I know a few dozen drivers that did the same as you're wanting to do.
    They went with Greatwide. The reason I know so many is because when Greatwide took over an account we were all on, they bought trucks with Greatwide's assistance. I didn't buy one and became a company driver instead. Greatwide policy was/is that the 0/0's get first choice of loads and company drivers get the leftovers. I still made a good living there, so no complaints.
    Greatwide calls it a lease-purchase, but it's not. The truck and financing is in the drivers name, not the company. You can buy a truck of your choice from anywhere you want, not from the company because the company doesn't sell trucks.
    • Apply Online To Get The Process Started.
    • Visit One Of The Dealers Below In Person Or Online And Pick Your Truck.
    If You Have A Dealer Of Your Own Not On Our List No Problem! We Can Work With Them.

    • Upon Completion Of The Lease Agreement We Overnight Your Log, Stickers, etc...
    • Your First Load Will Be Waiting.
    • Poor Credit? Try Bulldog or Bush Below.
     
  9. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    Now is a really bad time as rates are in the toilet and fuel is still high and equipment is still over priced. Unfortunately not what you want to hear but it's an honest answer. As for where to start when things get better, first you need to save money for a downpayment on a truck so your payment is low and manageable. Second, you need to have a sizeable amount in your maintenance account. I am giving you good sound advice and you will receive many different opinions, people who have been doing this a while like myself will agree. Good luck with what ever choice you make.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2022
  10. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    Truckers bookkeeping service will set you up with all the paperwork you need to become and stay compliant. They offer multiple packages, DIY, Complete etc. They helped me make sure I had my ducks in a row when I started out. The same person would answer the phone everytime I called and help with literally any questions I had. I highly recommend them.
     
  11. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Newport, Ar
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    Landstar hiring process is slow, about 4 weeks.

    If your serious get set up and cleared them.
    Go to freightliner and pick one, go over the truck
    Just like getting a car.

    I hauled a lot out of Lancaster SC with Landstar.
     
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