I’m fighting with myself, HELP

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Line D Express, Mar 19, 2026 at 8:16 PM.

  1. Line D Express

    Line D Express Bobtail Member

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    Feb 22, 2015
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    67 yo, Ive been pulling stepdeck since 2014 and I’m ready to make another move.. I’m keeping my 2012 Freightliner, truck/trailer for the $$$, it’s saved my ### over the last few years and I’m adding another and putting a driver in it. I can’t decide whether to go van or stay with step decks. Hell, the rate per mile has been about the same over the last few years and I feel better with someone I don’t know pulling a van and don’t really wanna train on a step. I feel a van driver would be easier to find and dispatching them would be easier for me.
    Somebody, help me make up my mind.
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You won't have a hard time finding a driver, but you will have one hell of a time finding a good driver.

    You are going to w2 the driver if you plan on dispatching him/her, right?
     
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  4. Line D Express

    Line D Express Bobtail Member

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    Feb 22, 2015
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    I guess I forgot to mention that good driver part. I was going to teach whoever how to work as a contract driver, not even a 1099, try to teach them the business and hand it over for a weekly percentage after I build it up. I’m to old to have all the worry’s.
     
  5. Just little ol ME

    Just little ol ME Bobtail Member

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    You can be profitable pulling any trailer you like. It is the matching the driver to the trailer. If they don’t like hauling what goes into the trailer will be the bigger problem. Spend the the time finding the right driver, everything else is secondary. Good luck
     
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  6. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Last driver I had cost me 10k on repairs.
    I been real leary since, and it’s just me now.
     
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  7. Line D Express

    Line D Express Bobtail Member

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    Feb 22, 2015
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    I feel pretty confident in my ability to pick/ teach a person, I was a vehicle control nco and trainer in the military. I could always tell which guys I was going to have trouble with fairly quickly.
     
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  8. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    yeah well he didn’t want to miss a load, drove with leaky radiator and didn’t want to miss pay. I’d have let him drive the spare truck. I mean it’s an old prime international prostar, but it’ll still make money.
     
  9. Line D Express

    Line D Express Bobtail Member

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    Feb 22, 2015
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  10. KDHCryo

    KDHCryo Medium Load Member

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    You're gonna have a real big wake-up call regarding the work ethic of today's drivers willing to get into your asset.

    You're 67, and the truck has done you right. Time to put it to pasture.

    I'd #### sure hang that outfit up, especially if I was gonna interview and train someone for it.

    I'm not giving up my business to someone who'is gonna wreck it because they have to talk in their heaset all day long.
     
    201 Thanks this.
  11. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    67 ? I know individuals that are 73, 75 and still running and there not complaining. I’ll be 65 in May and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel for me yet(not hanging up my keys). Skateboarding keeps me in check.
     
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