In need of advice

First I would look into the current economy and see if it would be a wise decision to do so...

Currently trucking companies are falling off everyday

This would make me think I should wait till the economy improved and the current fuel/freight rate leveled out where one could make some decent money...

Your question
Should I go new or used?
first truck should be used and probaly should not have more then 400,000 max.. This is unless you have a little capital becuase trucks start to get a little expensive past 500,000 with all the little things that will start needing to be changed...

What kind of engine should you look into
Depends on what you plan on pulling.. type dry van I would say a Detroit or perhaps a Cummins (Detroit being my first choice, Cummins tends to have a higher maintenance)
If you plan on pulling heavy loads then I would look into a Cat

Worth it with current gas fuel prices?
I already answered that

 

whats that old saying......
if you want to be a milloniare in trucking you had better start with two

believe me, now is not the time

give it a few months to a year...truck prices will drop farther, and maybe by then freight rates will have gone up and fuel prices down

 

i got 7 Volvos in my yard....you pick which u like ....hell i'll sell you all 7 at discount price lol

Now is not the time!

 

My boyfriend just went to being a company driver after years of being a owner/operator. We also have his Pete sitting in the yard waiting to be sold. Expenses of break downs and fuel makes it hard to make a living at being owner/operator and the fact we have over achievers for d.o.t here in our neck of the woods.

 

Cheap frieght High fuel Prices and high repair bills. Is it worth it? But remember we heard these same things back in the 70's.. And we survived... Yes but yes some are going under. Just got to watch your expenses. Do not get greedy and start buying new homes and fancy cars.

You heard the negatives and I feel you know the positives. Your the only one that can answer the question is it worth it. run your numbers and see for your self. Run the truck smartly and you should do fine.

I know many will disagree and even attack this post. but so be it. I started to wonder if it would be worth it and almost gave up the idea my self. But I re did my numbers with the idea of higher fuel and I still have good number ratio wise. I will not know till I am in my own truck if these numbers are correct but I am adding extra for a extra boarder of comfort.

If you do get a truck, do not worry about buying a fancy truck, just keep it simple and shop for the lowest fuel u can find, and refuse to haul the cheaper freight.

 

I just became an Owner Operator in January of this year.
BoY!
Fuel has Shot up!! And doesnt seem like it will stop for a bit....
The ONLY thing On my side is that I am Hauling Oilfield Freight. ie; Pipe, valves, etc...
As long as I stay running, I am keeping my head above water. But a slow week can really hurt.
So As much as I want to be enthusiastic for you, I think you should really put Numbers down on Paper and dot every "i" before considering a move like this.
As far as your first truck, I agree with these guys, A Good used truck is the way to go.