O/O or Company Driver

IMO a team can make good money (especially if it's going to the same household) and have benefits. Leasing/owning a truck can be a real hassle and have zero benefiits. That's my short answer.

 

You really need to be a company driver for at least a year, preferably in the type of trucking you would like to do. Reefer, flat, dry van...etc Your percentage of success will be greatly increased.

 

Assuming you know very little about the car industry, would you go out and invest everything in a used car dealership? You really don't even know what knowledge you lack at this point. You could literally hate trucking and be married to a $2,000 a month payment for 5 years, or worse turn it in and destroy your credit and savings. It takes a certain type of person to last more than a year in this profession, and an even rarer one to do that teaming. A great idea I'm simply regurgitating is for you and your fiancée to go spend a weekend in your car. Besides storage, and a second bed, it's roughly the same size as a truck. While one person drives around the other should at least try to sleep in the back seat. Forty eight hours in the car, brushing your teeth in McDonald's bathrooms etc. should give you an idea of what you'll face. If you're really brave, you'll drive to a truckstop, pay the $11 for a shower and get the real experience. If you think you can hack it, welcome to the club. Drive a company truck for a year, then figure out if you'll make more as an o/o.

 

I am currently an o/o and although my truck is paid for..it's still really tough to make a good go of it. I have been doing this job for over twenty years and honestly can say that the cost of operating doesn't make it too profitable.You should really give yourself a couple of years driving for someone else before making such a huge decision. If you are lucky in that time,you might find a carrier that provides descent pay,benefits and a good retirement package. I've had people over the years tell me that they wanted to buy their own to be their own boss and the captain of their own ship. My response is usually that true enough,you can be the captain of your own ship. But remember,the Titanic had a captain too! Best of luck to you. Whichever you decide.