So you want to "own " your own company

I looked at a lease program when I was a CO Driver with GTI. and before that with FFE. I have found that while leasing, There is a quarterly qouta with miles so stupid it could seldom be achived, a maintinance account to pay for problem/s the truck have/has prior to your lease, since they want you to make the bill, some screw you on the FSC, and after all is done with the deductions, those I know as Lease Operators made the same as me while I ran as Co-Driver. Its a win win for the company, and a gamble to the driver. You can still be terminated and be out the truck and money, still have a qouta while being dispatched. The security they promise is really the security that you are making their truck payment. Often, if they offer a Percentage based package, they will put the expensive freight on the CPM Co driver, and the cheap freight on you. so, your truck makes less and they get more. If they offer a cpm package, then you are still under their dispatch and forced dispatch, often sending you to the places where you will pay the higher fuel rates and fuel taxes, thus paying more of the bill for them. I'd suggest buying a truck thru other means and finding a company all Owner Op, without the competetion of co-trucks if he/you are serious about being your own boss. Whatever the decision, I wish you the best of luck.

 

The price of used trucks is pretty darn good compared to 1-2 years ago. I would try to come up with the down and get a truck the good old fashioned way.... buy it. I have seen several LP programs, that by the time you are done with it, the added cost would be 30-50% of the original cost of the truck. There are one heck of a lot of trucks to be had for less than $40,000 out there on the market that would be a far better choice for someone starting out. Come up with 20-25% down and there is hardly a dealer that couldn't get you into the truck and financed, unless your credit rating is in the sewer. In that case, forget the idea, stay a company driver and work on rebuilding your credit.

 

I've seen it a million times on this board and have seen a lot of bad deals to know that the message is:

NEVER buy a truck from the company you are wanting to work for. You will find that you are paying for the privilege of having a job...where if you put a down payment on a truck you pick from an impartial dealer and you make the deal, you can have your pick of any company and choose the best deal for you.

 

betcha a dollar he does'nt even know his BEP...

 

Where do I begin?.! I know some of the ins and outs. As my father was a broker as well as a driver before he passed away. But that was then this is now. I will have about 40 grand to start with. I want to buy a tractor. I don't know whether I want to lease on with a company or just buy my own trailer and have my own authority. I want to start with a dry van and then on to a reefer because that's what I have the most experience in aside from gearin and steerin. I don't want to run out west, just east coast and midwest. I have my mind set on a Freightliner Columbia Condo with 300k to 400k on it. What I want to know is who are the good companies to lease onto here in Florida. And everything to go along with my endeavor. Thanks ahead of time.

 

a good company to lease onto here in Fl. hmmmm.....

 

BigRay what about SunCo Carriers in Lakeland, Fl? aren't they all owner ops? i dont really track reefer companies though.

 

I agree with most of it, but we don't even have a right to life. See it as an opportunity to battle for the limited resources that others are also after. We are lucky to even be alive.

 

yes, their O/O company. their auth./trailers

 

May want to look into Action Express out of Miami....hope this helps.