New O/O

How much do you expect your average RPM to be?

What have you determined your maintenance and repairs will average?

 

Go for it.

OK, sounds great but there are problems with this. Do you think the LLC is going to protect your assets?

If you do, think again.

It doesn't matter what you did before, this is a different world.

Good for you.

Yes I do, go to Landstar.

Landstar.

Sorry but as one of my customers said to me when they signed the contracts, "thank god you are not a sales scum, they come in here and think they know what my business is and how they will serve me without my input".

Ok, the worst time to enter but to each theri own, still over 90% failure rate for Owner Operators.

That's a little rude.

That's a lot rude.

did you for your present company?

This is a very serious question.

Apply, you have how many years as a driver?

I don't think you will be doing heavy haul, flatbed yep.

OK if you think so.

 

I got mine down to 19k this year after 5 years I about shed tears

 

Here’s your best bet. Watch some YouTube videos about strapping and tarping. Read the JJ Keller handbook about proper load securement, and use your common sense.

P.S. Don’t come here looking for help because you’ll mostly get advice.

 

Please be more specific about "gearing" - do you mean the gear ratio, or are you speaking in terms of spacing the entire truck for flat bed work?

 

Having no truck payment is definitely a big plus, and having money set aside for maintenance and repairs is extremely important!
You are correct, if people bought a truck during covid they over paid. The trucking business is like no other business, there is always something to learn. The failure rate for a new owner operator is very high.You will get a lot of good information here, and you will quickly learn that there are some that don't know what they are talking about. PGT used to do training for owner operators, i don't know if they still do, and i have never worked for them. I wish you the best of luck!!

 

How did you get a quote without Authority? Or is it the other way around? Anyway, I don't believe you even got a quote. What do you mean "between $15,000-$20,000? What was the quote? It's a number, not a "Range" Now don't get defensive now, just answer my question...

 

@HaglerFan
My two cents from being involved in this industry in several capacities since 1985.

it sounds like you’re a squared away individual to get yourself to this point. My advice would be to educate yourself on the basics via the aforementioned resources like you tube videos, several threads on this forum, and JJ Keller guides. If you have already done that then great, the point is to be able to communicate to someone in the lexicon of the flatbedding world. Terms like dunnage, coil racks, belly wrap, cross strap, direct tie down, WLL, etc., etc. Then find a small flatbed outfit and talk with the owner and sell yourself and ability to learn. That’s what I did. I had a smattering of experience in the military with securment but no real experience. A small fleet owner had confidence from my other successful endeavors I could learn flatbed. It was as simple as taking pictures and talking with him or other drivers about each load. He would often synchronize load times so one of his experienced drivers was with me or have me send pics before I left wherever I was when done loading. It worked well and the “training “ was much more effective and efficient than going through a starter company. Most securement is common sense and following the basic regs. Many of the negative ninnies on here will scoff at my advice but it worked nicely for me

 

Why not drive for a flatbed company first as a driver. Then switch to an OO in May, when the market is up. They cover the training. You still earn money. You can see if you like it. LS will train you. But its an 8 hour class. Flatbed equipment probably 3 to 5 grand.