Let Me Know What You Think

I am not fully a driver yet but from reading, listening, and asking questions on here it sure sounds like you are headed in the right direction, it's always important to make sure you have a maintenance fund which you already prepared so looking good be safe and good luck when the time comes.

 

Not a owner but sounds that you have your self set up pretty decent. I would start talking to some companies about their requirements and let them know your plans. Talk to several drivers from the companies that you are interested in to see what they have to say good and bad. Just my thoughts.

 

You sound like you're in a good shape.

But let me ask you, if you have that much money, why would you get into a lease where you would be tied down to a certain company? IMO if you have decent credit why not just buy your own truck and go to any company you wish to go?

 

He is talking about Leasing to a company not leasing a truck from a company. IE buying a truck and leasing it on at Landstar, Mercer, ect, ect.

 

I do not think he is talking about leasing a truck from a carrier I assume he is talking about purchasing a truck from a dealer and putting it on with a company of his choice.

Landstar has a system set up similar to Schneider and you pick and choose where you run to. You just have to deal with agents and if you do them a good job and you build a good relationship with them they will call on you with some of the better paying loads. If you pull van no trailer rental fee if you pull flat then it is 165 or 185 dollars a week.

 

Primetime, from what I gather your doing it right. You have a sufficient amount of money saved for that breakdown account and a nice chunk to put down on a truck or buy one outright. Now what are you planning on pulling for a trailer? Regions you want to run?(I am guessing SE) and are you wanting to be able to go into CA for that load that is worth it every once and a while? There are things that need to be looked at also which I know your figuring already, I am just kind of curious. I wish I was able to be in your position with that kind of money set aside. I am working my way up there slowly but surely and wont buy my own rig with anything less then 20K set aside for breakdown.

 

You're set primetime. That is how you go into this business and set yourself up for success, all cash in. No guarantee's of course but you're miles ahead of most and well prepared financially. Money management is one of the most important skills a prospective owner operator can bring to the table. If one can't manage money when someone else is paying the fuel and repairs then what in the world is going to change that when those expenses are all on them? It'd be like dousing flames with gasoline to put them out, yeah sure, that's a good idea...