Newbie interested in trucking business

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by kennylat, Oct 28, 2011.

  1. kennylat

    kennylat Bobtail Member

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    Oct 27, 2011
    Dallas, Texas
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    I am new of this forum, My name is Kenny. I am interested in the trucking business (So the terminologies might be strange to me)

    I was told about the business by a friend, I am thinking of buying a truck and leasing it to a company who would run it and pay me either weekly or monthly


    My questions are below

    - Which make of truck would be better which is easier to maintain and one can easily get parts.
    -Would you advise to get it from an individual seller or from a company.

    -What are the necesary financing questions I need to ask?

    -What type of good would it be advisable to carry that wont wear down the truck quickyly

    -Necessary advise about maintenance, Insurance, drivers compensation et

    -Whats the average weekly returns after expenses

    -Any other necessary information that might be helpful

    I am based in Dallas Texas, I WONT be driving the truck.

    If anyone knows any reputable company in Dallas that would also be helpful

    NB: If any thread(s) have addressed my questions, Kindly direct me there
     
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  3. jmcclelland2004

    jmcclelland2004 Light Load Member

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    May 22, 2011
    Modesto, Ca
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    On a side note Bigbadbill will probably put his standard advice in here with a link to some threads. One thing he will recommend is to read all the docked threads in this section.
     
  4. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    The question you should ask is"Why would a company want to lease from you if this is a profitable business." Doe
     
  5. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    The question you should ask is"Why would a company want to lease from you if this is a profitable business."
     
  6. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    SW Missouri
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    What you have is a classic bad idea. If you have money to invest, buy a CD. Even with low interest rates you should make about the same if you don't have experience and don't plan to drive the truck yourself.

    If you find a good driver, he works hard and you have great luck you should be able to make somewhere between -$5,000 and $15,000 per year from the truck after paying expenses and driver.

    There are many leased to companies that make less than drivers wages. If you find yourself in one of these leases, not only will you not make money, you won't be able to keep a driver. A bad driver can cost you hundreds to thousands before you can get him out of the truck. Unless you know and have worked this industry it will chew you up and spit you out.

    There's an old joke, "Do you know how to make a million dollars with a truck?" The answer is, "Start with two million."

    If you insist on this you have a few months of learning to do. Then you need a large chunk of operating capital after purchasing equipment. If you do this you probably have a 30% chance of success. Decide what you are willing to lose before starting and have an exit strategy and know when to use it.

    As said above, read all the docked threads in the "Ask An Owner Operator" section. In addition, these threads are especially good ones too:

    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/143100-rate-confirmation-question.html


    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/64679-my-numbers-o-o-leased-crete.html

     
    Mr. PlumCrazy Thanks this.
  7. 2fuzy

    2fuzy Road Train Member

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    While much of the above is true but only on one level the thing is the "gig" there are many out there that are very profitable and about five times as many looking to bait the suckers
    The bad part of your idea is the hands off approach at the start as there is more to it than one thinks but with the knowledge to spot a good one a truck can clear ya a grand a day in the right gig and on the otherside a bad day can take 20k from your pocket and a bad gig can cost you $$$$ to make some one else a grand a day
     
    BigJohn54 Thanks this.
  8. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    2fuzy is right. The problem is that 80% of the new owner operators will fall right into the trap that I posted about. A few are wiser, have researched harder, are downright lucky or like myself have learned from the "school of hard knocks". The absetee owner idea will leave you at a giant disadvantage.

    I too see some really great opportunities for truck ownership right now. The big problem is the ones that pay the best require a lot of operating capital to keep you a float. If you need 30 - 45 days operating capital that can be $15,000 - $35,000.

    If I could find an investor right now, I'd make us both a fortune but I wouldn't do it without being right in the mix day in and day out.
     
  9. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    So how's the new venture going? I hadn't seen you around in a while.
     
  10. kennylat

    kennylat Bobtail Member

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    Oct 27, 2011
    Dallas, Texas
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    Thanks for the note, I couldnt access the link you said I can contact you on.

    I m interested in your idea, tell me more about it.

    How can i contact you?
     
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