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Advice on starting an owner operator business

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by GavinD, Oct 3, 2023.

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  1. Oct 3, 2023 #1
    GavinD

    GavinD Bobtail Member

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    Oct 3, 2023
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    Hi I’m gavin I’ve been a diesel mechanic for about 6 years and counting now. I’ve been trying to look into starting up an owner operator business as well I’m hoping to get some advice on how you guys who have been doing it and how you charge for your company. To start with until I can get my name out and start getting consistent income I would be running my own truck on weekends as I work full time. I was wondering how you get companies to contract you as only a truck an not tractor trailer set up and once things kick off I planned to hire a full time driver. How do you guys pay the driver as well as charge for each job. By load ? Miles? Just looking for good advice on simple things to keep company professional and profitable. If you have advice or answers please respond on here or text me at 651-955-9835 thank you
     
    GavinD, Oct 3, 2023
    GavinD, Oct 3, 2023
    #1
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  3. Oct 3, 2023 #2
    w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Well... My advice is to get some experience in trucking itself for a few years. Being a diesel mechanic is awesome, and would help you on your journey.

    Sounds like you want to do "power only" jobs since you don't have a trailer, there's apps like Amazon relay, Schneider, jb hunt, convoy etc etc

    Right now rates are low and owners are on survival mode. So I wouldn't recommend coming in now.
     
    w.h.o, Oct 3, 2023
    w.h.o, Oct 3, 2023
    #2
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  4. Oct 3, 2023 #3
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Well, this will be easy,,,DON'T!! You couldn't have picked a worse time in history to start such a venture, unless you want a huge loss writeoff. You will find, there is a much better and gratifying future in supplying those unfortunate folks that have no choice but to repair the truck, and go further in the hole, than being one of them. With the cost of new trucks, used trucks in need of repair, is in a higher demand than ever before, and guess who comes out smelling sweet there, the repair guy. There is no "only on weekends" trucking, we've all tried, and a driver,,today? Good heavens, I don't know where to start there. If anything, go into truck repair AND parts, maybe a UHaul on the side too, but you already have a leg up on most new drivers and O/Os today. Most have no other options, I'd rethink my strategy. Trucking may come around again, as major outfits fail, but will be a while. I see so many repair outfits with vehicles waiting out in the road, clearly a shortage. Good luck.
     
    201, Oct 3, 2023
    201, Oct 3, 2023
    #3
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  5. Oct 3, 2023 #4
    Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Trucking on weekends only usually don’t work.
    Your first year insurance is getting be at least 15-20k maybe more depending on park location.
     
    Judge, Oct 3, 2023
    Judge, Oct 3, 2023
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  7. Oct 3, 2023 #5
    GavinD

    GavinD Bobtail Member

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    Oct 3, 2023
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    ya I think I’m gonna plan on opening llc for mobile repair. I have the experience and majority of the tools needed for roadside work just need to figure out the business part of things and best way to go about it to be profitable
     
    GavinD, Oct 3, 2023
    GavinD, Oct 3, 2023
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  8. Oct 3, 2023 #6
    Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Charge more than it costs you.
    That’s the best way to go about being profitable.
     
    Ruthless, Oct 3, 2023
    Ruthless, Oct 3, 2023
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  9. Oct 3, 2023 #7
    HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    9k, first year, through progressive. But, I reside in a really small town.
     
    HoneyBadger67, Oct 3, 2023
    HoneyBadger67, Oct 3, 2023
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  10. Oct 5, 2023 #8
    Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    This may be the best reply yet! Very Very Smart!
     
    Siinman, Oct 5, 2023
    Siinman, Oct 5, 2023
    #8
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  11. Oct 5, 2023 #9
    86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    How long ago and with what equipment? And with what radius? If that's recent you're VERY lucky. Mine is cheap too but not that cheap and not nearly that cheap when I was new.
     
    86scotty, Oct 5, 2023
    86scotty, Oct 5, 2023
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  12. Oct 5, 2023 #10
    w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    Quoted for 10,500 a year too. I heard some guy in new York got $50,000 a year lol
     
    w.h.o, Oct 5, 2023
    w.h.o, Oct 5, 2023
    #10
    JoeyJunk Thanks this.
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