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?
Company to o/o. Where do I begin?
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by apickupman, Dec 6, 2022.
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Chinatown and Another Canadian driver Thank this.
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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.
Another Canadian driver Thanks this. -
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
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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.Another Canadian driver Thanks this. -
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.
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Another Canadian driver and RunningAces Thank this.
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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.
- 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.
Another Canadian driver and Eddiec Thank this. -
Last edited: Dec 6, 2022
JoeyJunk, Another Canadian driver and RunningAces Thank this. -
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.
Another Canadian driver Thanks this. -
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.Keepforgettingmypassword and Another Canadian driver Thank this.
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