So you want to "own " your own company

The proposal is that ALL trucks will need to have them. I have seen everything from $70/month plus install to $2k+ plus monthly fees.

 

Reasons to stay a company driver. I bet freight rates will continue to be the same yet additional costs to the driver apply in this case.

 

Among other factors that are already adding pressure I think it would actually put the spot market in a pinch and create artificial shortages. That will only help rates but of course loadboard land is what it is there will always be plenty of cheap. Not really worried about it the way I roll anyways. Don't want to see it come to that but I'll deal with whatever is tossed my way when the time comes.

 

I guess the may be a perk to buying a used former company truck. All the wiring is still there usually which may make install easier.

 

If you own trucks whether you have your own authority or lease to a carrier, you will be required to install EOBR's in each truck if this mandate is implemented. At this time it has been put on hold. The supporters and the FMCSA are in the process of coming back to the table to try to force all who own trucks to install some type of EOBR. There is a representative that will be at the Louisville truck show to get input from drivers and owners about using them. If I can make the show, I plan on visiting their booth. I suggest that if you don't want to pay the cost (as yet to be determined) you need to write your comments and if you visit the show to pay a visit to their booth, as well.

One major concern of mine is that they want to force carriers and owner operators to install an electronic monitoring device that has a cost that no one really knows at this point. I have heard figures from about $1,800 to $4,500 per truck. There is also a monthly fee that is also vague. The lowest that I have seen is $45/month.

Even if this does pass scrutiny, it will be a few months to a few years before it can be fully implemented. Some of the major carriers are responsible for the bill getting this far. Initially, the feds only stated that they want those carriers with extensive hos violations to have them. Then, they said they want ALL carriers to have them. If you lease to a carrier and they are required to have them then you can bet that the cost will be passed along to the owner operator.

At this point, I would not worry too much about it. I would take time to write comments on their website, write your congressional representative and pay a visit to the FMCSA booth in Louisville. OOIDA was successful in getting the bill set aside for the moment due to potential harassment of driver issues from major carriers. It will be interesting to see the response from the feds. They want these EOBR's in trucks. There are billions of dollars to be made from the sale and monthly fees they will charge. As I stated, I would not worry too much about it at the moment. You can always sell your trucks.

 

I love the fact that truckers will tell you they know everything... my dad had an old saying that they are talking like a man with a paper ####### and I know why now. So first off the "TRUTH" of the matter is this, no carrier wants EOBR. From a dispatcxh standpoint it is a nightmare juggling loads with their customers etc. I have 6 trucks and am looking at it for a different reason. I run my guys as hard as their logs will let me. Money is tight so we need to move every mile we can in a week to make headway. The big companies that already have it were forced to do so because of their log violations. Maybe a very small percentage has done so for various reasons like I am looking at, to streamline their operation and reduce false logs and exposure. These systems can be had for $900.00 with a monthly fee of $30.00 to have EOBR's. If you are a single truck operation, it would #### near be impossible for them to make you have it. The number one reason is the fact that you do not have a home office, so if you had the DATA relayed back to your mobile laptop (which is what would happen) you would be able to manipulate your own logs again so it is a mute point. Make no mistake who is pushing for EOBR, it is the manufacturers such as Qualcomm and Peoples net as well as a few others. They are the ones who stand to make the most as they are the provider. Everyone #####ed that they cant make any money with EOBR which I find very funny because you can run legal and make money. Granted it is harder to do but if you dont you will be the one in the wellfare line in the near future. I dont understand why everyone has to ##### about what they know nothing about. Do some research off of a truckers forum so you get real feedback. Dont misunderstand me thatI want this enforced, I do not. I am looking at it as a tool to help me better my company and to stay competitive both legally as well as financially. The DOT can and will make your life a living hell if you get on their radar, so the object here is how to stay in compliance, how to make enough money to survive and grow and how to take care of all of the families I have working for me. One thing all drivers do is they only think of themselves, the fact of the matter is, you screw up and get in trouble, it reflects upon the authority in which you operate and if you cost them more money to function and stay in business, you just single handedly cost all of your co-workers more money and hardships.....

 

It was a handful of the major carriers who wrote and pushed the bill that would force all carriers to install EOBR's in their trucks. USA, US Xpress, Covenant, JB Hunt and Maverick were the ones who pushed the bill. I spoke with both sponsoring senators and was given two different answers when I asked them about the reason why we need EOBR's. Ironically, one stated that it was to provide a "level playing field" for all carriers. I have done quite a bit of research about the EOBR's. The cost will depend on what you want the EOBR to do. The range of prices I was given came from reliable sources. Both sponsoring senators were vague in what they expected the costs to be. I believe that it was PeopleNet that quoted me $45/month for their services. PeopleNet, Qualcomm and others stand to make a fortune if this is fully implemented. I would wager that those who sponsored the bill are heavily invested in the technology.

I have never had a problem with any carrier or owner taking money out of his pocket to install an EOBR in his trucks. My problem comes in when they want to force me to install them in my trucks.

 

Level the playing field? Sure, increase cost unecessarily and cut out some more competition for the big boys. Which is what regulations are always intended to do whether they admit it or not. That's the end result. And also ends up increasing costs long term for the end consumer. I'm curious what your response was when the one Senator said that? It's pretty obvious he gets his campaign money contributions from the big boys and not ooida. I would assume these are TN Senators?

 

Like g/man said, those who are trying to force the eobr on all trucks are probably heavily invested into those corporations who produce them. One more way for a Senator or congressman to get even richer.

 

Sound like the Cpap issue too there's $$ in it for someone out there