Can New Owner Operators get loads?

^^^ That is sooooo beautifully put!!! and here is why i think our "society" reacts the way they do .... COMPETITION!!! 90% of the people are afraid to see you succeed, 5% would love to see you fail, and that leaves only 5% of people out there who will actually lend a helping hand in hopes that you do your best and possibly be as successful as they are one day.

I believe the OP has been good on his research and should continue to research every aspect of this business (DOT regulations, Permits, Logging (HOS), brokers to stay away from, etc) . Driving for a major carrier does not teach you anything about dispatching your loads since you may enjoy a complete different lane, nor does it teach you anything from the business side of things, it simply teaches you how to "DRIVE" which is needed if you are a newbie to the trucking industry. You can Drive for someone for 30 years and still not know how to do it for your self and on your own, BUT you will be a heck of a driver ... lol ....

I believe with enough research and will power you can do it, just soak in what the 5% are telling you, and much respect to the guy who shared his financial break down, i don't know many on this site that would. I believe like the 5% have mentioned already the most important thing is knowing what your lanes of travel are gonna be and stick to them, don't end up somewhere that you and your wallet are gonna regret. Oh and try not to have any loans & about 15k in the bank for starters (fuel, small repairs/service, food, insurance, etc)

I know one particular family near me who started out with 2 trucks, 3 brothers, 2 young once with hardly any exp were driving, the older finding loads through the boards with NO exp at all! and everyone is doing good, i guess its how bad you want it.


I wish you lots of SUCCESS!

 

Have you decided on what you plan on hauling and where your going to haul it , both are factors in your calculations as it will impact your operating costs as well as insurance costs.

 

Have you considerd Flatbeding? It's pays quite a bit more per mile with very little additional cost.

 

Sooner being as your also a new driver ballpark you fuel low(or high as the case may be) I would not figure on better than 5.5 mpg in my initial calculations. Now you should do better than that, however driving a diesel is far different and your going to have a learning curve.

Base fuel is around $3.971 for the midwest pad last week. I would round thhat up to $4 meaning fuel estimate $.73 a mile in fuel. That number may be overstated and will in all likely hood go down as you gain experience in operating a truck.


National average found here

http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

 

Plates in most states, intially run close to 2000 dollars.
Living in Indiana, you won't have sales tax on your truck and trailer if you get your DOT/MC number first.
Also if your going to run with your own authority, your going to need approx. 3 load boards at approx. $125 per month.
Your OOIDA membership is only $35 per year if I'm remembering correctly and it's the same for company drivers as well.
I see maintaince cost but nothing for repairs.. With most older trucks at that cost, you'll have quite a bit in repairs. Like my transmission just cost me $3800. A head gasket is around 5 grand.
Invest in a weight guage for your truck and trailer and you won't need the cat scale. And weight guages are just a couple hundred bucks.