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Looking for OO advice.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by The Instigator, Jul 20, 2011.

  1. Jul 20, 2011 #1
    The Instigator

    The Instigator Bobtail Member

    8
    1
    Jul 15, 2011
    FL
    0
    I know there must be some good owner operators out there that can answer these questions. I was thinking of getting a tractor, used, probably in the 30 to 40k range. What would you advice on this:
    1) Type of tractor that would give me the best value and fuel mileage for that money?
    2) What is the best way to get loads, broker, or company, and if a company who pays the best mileage? I dont want to work for a 1.30 per mile, I already know thats not enough.
    3) best insurance carriers?
    4) Fuel cards?
    5) How much does it cost you to run your truck on average per mile?
    6) What should I look for in a company?

    That should be enough for a start! I was an owner operator back in the 80's. I had a small 24 foot Mercedes 1419 box truck with a liftgate. If I needed a tractor trailer for anything I would borrow one from a friend of mine. This time I want a tractor and maybe my own trailer (dry van). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
    Instigator~:trailer:
     
    The Instigator, Jul 20, 2011
    The Instigator, Jul 20, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jul 20, 2011 #2
    o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 15, 2010
    massachusetts
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    haha you basically want someone to run your business for you.
     
    o.m.d., Jul 20, 2011
    o.m.d., Jul 20, 2011
    #2
  4. Jul 20, 2011 #3
    Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Make model are all esthetics. Motors are kinda like make of car. Some guy's like 'em grey, some like 'em red, and then there is the yellow horde.Start looking in the 15- 20 range if you have more than some box truck experience back in the 80's.

    If you have no OTR experince companies like Landstar, Mercer, Great Wide probably will not deal with you. Those are who you would most likley need to start with to learn where freight is and moves. When taking $1.87 is OK and when it should be $2.87 because your gonna have to drive halfway home for free. You might go own authority but without a customer base brokers will probably eat you alive or starve you out.
     
    Tazz, Jul 20, 2011
    Tazz, Jul 20, 2011
    #3
    jellybean Thanks this.
  5. Jul 21, 2011 #4
    The Instigator

    The Instigator Bobtail Member

    8
    1
    Jul 15, 2011
    FL
    0
    Actually I do have lots of OTR experience and no I am not looking for anyone to "run" my company. I am merley looking for some advice on the subject. Its been some years since I have been running OTR and I do have current experience. I am trying to determine if its even worth it or not. I see that trucking hasnt changed much since the 80's and 90's, most trucking companies are still paying no wages for drivers to earn a decent living, I know I work for one!

    I guess I want to se if there are some drivers out there that can actually make a decent living with your own tractor. How do you find a good broker tha wont rip you off? What mileage program would you recomend? I know my company uses Rand Mcnaly and I can tell you they arent even close to actual mileage. I lose at least 3 to 4 hundred miles per week and I am getting tired of being constantly ripped off on the pay check.

    I must lose on average over a hundred dollars per week for mileage and another 50 to 50 bucks for the fuel bonus thats almost impossible to obtain due to all the idling we do in truck stops. I was hopeing for some good news like you can actually make a living as an owner operator. I keep hearing horror stories so I am not sure I want to take tha leap just yet.

    Please keep the information coming, I really want to hear from you and your experiences as an OO. Thanks again and stay safe out there.

    Instigator~
     
    The Instigator, Jul 21, 2011
    The Instigator, Jul 21, 2011
    #4
  7. Jul 22, 2011 #5
    BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    May 13, 2011
    SW Missouri
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    One thing to think about is the number of years of recent experience you have. How many years OTR experience do you have in the last three? This is what the companies you want to lease to will look at. This is also what the insurance will look at when they give you a quote for running your own authority.

    If you are serious about this you have a lot of research ahead of you. Nobody but you can figure out what your cost of operation will be. Start with these threads:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/146942-how-to-become-an-owner-operator.html

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/147854-what-would-experienced-o-o-buy.html

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/125507-what-estimated-operating-costs-o-o.html

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/148340-keeping-track-o-o-operating-costs.html

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/134211-no-experience-but-getting-authority.html

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/134211-no-experience-but-getting-authority.html

    Then read all the docked threads in the "Ask An Owner Operator" section. This will answer most of your questions and help you decide which approach is best as far as lease or authority. Good luck.
     
    BigJohn54, Jul 22, 2011
    BigJohn54, Jul 22, 2011
    #5
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