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Starting a new trucking career

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by SNKBITE, Apr 5, 2023.

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  1. Apr 5, 2023 #1
    SNKBITE

    SNKBITE Bobtail Member

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    Entering my early 60s and thinking about a career change. Always given some thought to owning my own truck and have been a fan of Peterbilt since I was a kid. Any advice to somebody getting into this as a career? I’m leaning towards being an independent driver as I have always been self-employed and would not care to work for somebody. Any advice in getting started and recommendations on features to order on a new Peterbilt? Any and all advice would be helpful…..thank you.
     
    SNKBITE, Apr 5, 2023
    SNKBITE, Apr 5, 2023
    #1
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  3. Apr 5, 2023 #2
    Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    So I'am I reading this right
    Your 60 yrs old
    You thinking about beconing a O/O.. but you have no experience in trucking and you don't wanta work for somebody because you have been self employed
    And your gonna just buy a brand new Peterbilt and you want to know what options you should get ?????
    1st option you better get is Experience.
    2nd thing is have you no sense of reality ???
    3 rd thing .. wait for it ......:biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559:
     
    Last Call, Apr 5, 2023
    Last Call, Apr 5, 2023
    #2
    bryan21384, Opus and Puppage Thank this.
  4. Apr 5, 2023 #3
    SNKBITE

    SNKBITE Bobtail Member

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    I’m glad this is funny to some as I have no problem with self deprecating humor. Further… I once had my CDL in my early 20s for my college summer job. Let it expire when I graduated thinking I would never use it again. Spent the last 30 years as a professional managing portfolios of real estate and doing financial planning for a client base of 150. I am now ready to sell that book of business and will use the cash to purchase a truck. Kids are out of the house, wife has a professional job… and I need something to do that I would enjoy. Oh… and I forgot to mention I have my CDL once again. So, with a bit more information to go on…. tell me if this is realistic or not.
     
    SNKBITE, Apr 5, 2023
    SNKBITE, Apr 5, 2023
    #3
  5. Apr 5, 2023 #4
    LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    not at all realistic. More like 99.9% chance of failure.

    Why would anyone shove 350k into a truck and trailer plus insurance just because they are bored.
     
    LoneRanger, Apr 5, 2023
    LoneRanger, Apr 5, 2023
    #4
    Opus and Last Call Thank this.
  7. Apr 6, 2023 #5
    SNKBITE

    SNKBITE Bobtail Member

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    Apr 5, 2023
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    So give me numbers.. as I am a numbers guy. 99% chance of failure because why? What is a realistic top number for income? Fixed costs of insurance? Variable cost of wear and tear set aside for repairs? Hidden cost everywhere I’m sure…. If this is such a bad idea, why is the interstate full of semis?
     
    SNKBITE, Apr 6, 2023
    SNKBITE, Apr 6, 2023
    #5
  8. Apr 6, 2023 #6
    Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    My opinion .. No .. its not realistic
    Things have change alot in 30 years
    I suggest you do some serious reading on here
    Read about the rates
    Read about start up costs
    Read about how dishonest brokers are
    Read about the volume or I should say lack of volume of frieght
    Read about the costs of a new truck
    Read about the seasoned veterans in this industry that are just about ready to call it quits
    Then you make your own decision
     
    Last Call, Apr 6, 2023
    Last Call, Apr 6, 2023
    #6
    SNKBITE Thanks this.
  9. Apr 6, 2023 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Chinatown, Apr 6, 2023
    Chinatown, Apr 6, 2023
    #7
  10. Apr 6, 2023 #8
    Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Subscribed
     
    Puppage, Apr 6, 2023
    Puppage, Apr 6, 2023
    #8
  11. Apr 6, 2023 #9
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    My understanding is freight rates are dropping. So a new O/O would have to be able run cheap to make a profit and Peterbilt with long hoods not so good MPG. Insurance will be crazy hight for new O/O vs if you put your truck on with a company. You have join a group to get fuel at discount price. The big fleets and really nobody pays the cash pump price. Finding your own load won't be easy. You have to rely on brokers. If you have our own truck your better of signing/lease it onto a comply like Landstar or United. You get their customer base and they have fuel discount and insurance.

    Trucking has rates have been running historically high rates last 6-7 years. So high basically anyone could buy a truck and make money. Rates are dropping from what I hear.
     
    Brandt, Apr 6, 2023
    Brandt, Apr 6, 2023
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    SNKBITE Thanks this.
  12. Apr 6, 2023 #10
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    If you like to run the numbers, I read on here of new O/O paying $23,000 + for insurance. Fuel will depend on if you spec a truck for MPG or not, some guys can get 9-10 MPG on special spec Volvo truck. Some get low 6MPG
     
    Brandt, Apr 6, 2023
    Brandt, Apr 6, 2023
    #10
    SNKBITE Thanks this.
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