Debating being a lease operator

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 74dred, Jun 7, 2011.

  1. 74dred

    74dred Bobtail Member

    29
    4
    Mar 13, 2011
    richmond va
    0
    I've been driving for about 6 years otr with one year reginal. (reginal sucks) im really thinking about leasing because i cant afford to finance a truck any other way. but you guys scare the ##### outta me. i really wanna be a owner opp tho. can you guys give me some positive advice, besides dont do it or run.. thanks in advance.....
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

    2,928
    1,710
    Jul 22, 2008
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    BIG difference between being an owner/operator and a lease operator with a company. So many trucking companies that offer leases flat kill you, but use those key words "owner/operator" to keep folks on the ether and high as a kite on exuberance to get them hooked in.
     
    74dred Thanks this.
  4. Tankergirl80

    Tankergirl80 GangstaGirl

    808
    965
    Jan 7, 2009
    West Texas
    0

    What do you mean you "can't afford" to finance any other way? Does this mean you have virtually no capital? I would seriously discourage putting yourself on the line for a truck in any manner until you have some working capital. If you lease and have no money, you'll always be at the mercy of your carrier and that is never good.
     
    ronin and 74dred Thank this.
  5. 74dred

    74dred Bobtail Member

    29
    4
    Mar 13, 2011
    richmond va
    0
    This is true, but with my credit being shot and living check to check I don't see how else to pull it off. I love the job, not the companies.. So I'm asking for some guidance from you guys..
     
  6. ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

    2,928
    1,710
    Jul 22, 2008
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    Well, seriously, having personal experience from a lease deal (CRE), you'll then have shot credit and NOT living check to check. My wife and I averaged $600 a week TOGETHER while running 4500-5000 a week.

    Get a good OTR position and save your pennies, get into being an owner/op the right way - clean up yoru credit, have some money in the bank, do it right. Anything else puts you in a worse situation than you're in now.

    Bookmark this... and if you decide to lease, come back here in a few months and reread the posts. They'll say "I told you so" while you're spending your last $10 on Top Ramen at Walmart.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2011
    smokeyman and brsims Thank this.
  7. 74dred

    74dred Bobtail Member

    29
    4
    Mar 13, 2011
    richmond va
    0
    I appreciate the honesty and thanks. Not sure how long I can keep being a company driver tho...
     
  8. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    crap... i wish i had $40, your doing pretty good
     
    ronin Thanks this.
  9. ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

    2,928
    1,710
    Jul 22, 2008
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    That was supposed to be $10 - now edited. I got in a hurry and the "$" sign is upper case for the "4" button.
     
  10. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    oh good i can beat that... ive got $12.32
     
    ronin Thanks this.
  11. ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

    2,928
    1,710
    Jul 22, 2008
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    Thank God I'm past the debacle that was 2008-2009... learned a lot during that time, gave me a real attitude.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.