A foolish idea or a cool one?

My wife and I are entertaining the idea of going into trucking. I've heard of truckers whose wives travel with them. I hope you don't mind a bunch of ignorant questions!

I wanted to get opinions on whether or not we should. It seems adventurous and romantic for us to get into the business and travel the road for a while. But that's just a daydream and I'm looking into the reality a little more. I am reading a thread by a happy husband/wife team, so that's promising, at least.

The first thought was we'd start as expediters then work our way into something else, but I read somewhere expediting is going to pay 25-30K maximum, which is not a lot for two people to live on. Does that sound right?

What could we expect to make in other areas of trucking?

Regardless, what are the pro's and con's?

And this is a weird one: I'm American and she's Canadian. Are there a lot of trucking routes that would have us traveling between parts of the US and Canada?

 

This is an inspiring post by husband/wife team: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...5138-husband-wife-team-to-start-covenant.html

 

I love my wife....But no way could we be together 24/7........

 

remember it is a small space i start getting a little irritable after 3-4 weeks cooped up in a truck and then sharing that space with another person for me it wouldn't be good.

 

I guess it all depends. 24/7 and no where to hide.

My trainer was a female and her and her husband couldn't drive together. You get in a fight, all one can do is slam the curtain. So they drove seperate. There you are both mad, seperated by a 1/16" cloth, lol.

But each person/relationship is different. Newleyweds? Go for it. Many husbands and wives team, have fun and make good money together. It can be a good thing too.

 

I haven't been in a truck with another person since training, so I can't speak about that. I've also never been to Canada in a big truck, so I can't speak about that, either.

I can tell you, 25-30K is about average for the first year. You may make more, you certainly will make more if you both drive. But if you are both going on the road, expenses are minimal. I can live on $300 a month- that's about $90 for my wireless bill and the rest for groceries and such. 25K is a lot of money when you no longer have rent, utilities, car insurance, gas, etc, etc.

 

All you have to do is have wild sex every night. Only a crazy person would be mad after that. Communication is also key to a lasting relationship.

 

My .02 cents for what it's worth.

I think it would take a very special couple to spend 24/7 together in a closed space for more than just a vacation on the road.

However, the only way to find out if you have what it takes, would be to try it.

I just know I could not do it.

 

I've highlighted your main problem right there. If you're going in looking for some kind of never-ending honeymoon cruise type adventure then you're doomed to failure before you even start.

You're gonna work your butt off for 70+ hours a week, run to a schedule for 11 hrs daily.... and be tired and grumpy when you're done.

As for the American/Canadian thing, you best be looking into the Immigration laws closely long before you start this. The border is a whole different deal with commercial travelling these days. You could very well wind up with one of you sitting on each side of the border; not permitted to cross. No joke.

 

I am a rather easy going guy at home.
My wife makes most of the decisions around the home.
I just don't have strong enough opinions or preferences regarding most things so what ever she's happy with is usually fine with me.

In our early years my wife often came out on the road with me for a week or so.
In my truck however I am a lot more serious and autocratic.
When my wife first came on the road with me this was a bit of a shock to both of us.
No major issues just an eye opener.
We have many happy memories of those trips.

No two couples are the same , it can and does work for some but for others....