So you want to "own " your own company

I wanted to have more $$ in reserve, so I spent WAY less money on the truck with the goal of upgrading within the year. The rest of your numbers are pretty accurate providing the trailer is a reefer. I've seen real decent vans going for about 5,000.

 

Hmmm

$25k truck won't be much of a truck...
$10k won't be much of a trailer either...
$1500 for plates.. what state is that? If your independant you just can't register your truck in any old state you want.. Your stuck with the state you live in.. Some are pricey! (That $1500 plate can't be a 48 state plate for that $$?)

Why are people telling this guy to look for a older Pete 379 ? They are about as aerodynamic as a brick chicken house and don't get real great fuel milage.. (I know I have a 2001 379EXH)??

It depends on what he plans on doing with it! If he's going to join the ranks of the van and reefer crowd, he needs every advantage.. aerodynamics, weight, MPG...ect. to squeeze every cent profit out of every mi.

Me, I haul high, wide, and heavy.. I don't get decent fuel milage... (my empty weight is 42,600lbs. full of fuel, and all my stuff..) So I dare anyone to get MPG when your configured like me.... So in my defense why not a Pete? why not a big motor?? (I got a Cummins ISX 600 in mine, also have the 18 speed tranny). I get a whopping 4.5 to 5.5mpg...The best it gets is 6.4 pulling a stepdeck or flatbed.. The worst I ever got was 3.5mpg! Will someone who's hauling a regular van or reefer need this?? Nope! He would be foolish and be wasting fuel buying my truck just to be able to "show off" in the left lane... Not a very smart reason for purchasing a truck speced like mine... don't you agree?

There are some NICE used older trucks out there.. First you need to match the truck to the application it's going to be doing... OTR (48 or just east coast? or just west coast?) for rear end reasons, & HP demands.. Type of trailer... ( if your pulling a flat ya might want to consider a mid roof or a flat top??) Sleeper size (team operation or not).. too easy hu?

 

Yeah, it'd be great to have a "hood", but as you pointed out, it doesn't make much sense (to me at least). Overhead is the silent killer in this business. Got to keep your thumb on it. I'm sticking to my business plan and upgrading my truck soon. I've done OK for myself and could get a hood, but for me, that'd be ego and nothing more. I'll look at the aeros and stick with them.

 

That number is a little misleading. Most of those (if not all) are likely voluntary revocations, which is what you do if you are no longer in business and want to have the option of re-activating your authority at a later time, sold your business, merged with another trucking company, etc.

Usually the FMCSA will revoke your number for non-compliance (failure to provide documentation, failure to complete audit compliance requirements, etc.) The numbers you show for dismissal are not likely for one day, so the theory that for every 1 app., there are 5 revoked or are to be revoked is very misleading.

 

My plates cost $1,500 for all 48 plus all of Canada. Used trucks are a dime a dozen right now. Schneider is practically giving away their trucks. I know someone who bought one 4 years ago. Price was $15k and they got it for $9k and still running strong. I think $50k would be a very comfortable number to get yourself going.

Click on Equipment then fleet trucks in the link below.

https://www.sfitrucks.com/fleet.aspx

 

Suppose I get a truck and trailer, how hard is it going to be to make $1300 a week after costs. I'm asking this question because that is what I make as a company driver. Just wondering if its worth it? I would like to have my own authority and possibly pull a reefer or a flatbed.

 

####, I like to be first in line for your current gig! I haven't made that kind of money since I got out of construction/real estate 5 years ago...

 

now my friend it is not to hard to make 1300 a week IF your loads pay, you cant do it haulling cheap freight ,however if you have your own tractor and trailer along with your own authority you name your price for the load you haul, now some don't but that is there choice but with your own rig you can make a considerabel amount more then that , just dont price yourself to cheap,but remember this if your going to make money you have to go where the freight goes and you cant be home every week you have to keep the wheels turning, and watch your overhead. overhead is a silent killer in this business, and don't listen to all the you cant's in this busines can't is closely related to lazy, you got to work at it.

good luck to you my friend .

 

Very well said Southernpride, having my own authority means one huge word to me, "determination", and a lot of people forget that.

 

My brother in law has his own truck and trailer and he makes more than that without his own authority. He pulls a reefer. If he brings home less than $1500 a week he starts squawking. He stays out 2 to 3 weeks at a time.