$40K and I'm gonna do what they say can't be done

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by OneDollar95, May 5, 2008.

  1. 550hpW900L

    550hpW900L Road Train Member

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    Well from what i can see most O/Os leased on to big companies dont make more money than company drivers after they pay for fuel. I really dont see a point in them doing so, i started out with my own truck and leased on to ADS and hauled steel with a set of michigan trains when i was 18 years old. After i paid for fuel i brought home 1200$ a week, this was 7 years ago though, so imagine with fuel going up what they must make now with rates being almost the same. It wasent much but i was pulling their trailers and didnt have to worry about all them tires, i hated it though so i quit and went working for a small family outfit pulling their step deck through out MI. I worked way less and usually brought home 2200-2500 after fuel. You can make alot more than a company driver just have to know the right people to work for. Your flatbed guy will make different money from reefer or van. In my opinion van is the worst paying deal. I pull a reefer now and have been for a while, yes it sucks but i tried all and i will tell ya it makes me money. My old mans been pulling a reefer for 33 years and i dont think he will ever change that.
     
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  3. HIDIVE

    HIDIVE Light Load Member

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    May 15, 2008
    McCoy, Va
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    Don't Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  4. OneDollar95

    OneDollar95 Light Load Member

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    Apr 16, 2008
    Toronto, ON
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    Actually, that's what's gonna happen. I'm chickening out with all the changes in the industry. I've read articles that the next year in transportation is going to be unpredictable. I decided to apply instead to Schneider and Challenger (large Canadian outfit), and a few other smaller companies that pay better but require tarping. I don't mind. I already got two interviews this coming week...so I'll go this route.

    I'm just freaked out with team driving with someone I don't know:biggrin_25524:
     
  5. mannmk7

    mannmk7 Medium Load Member

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    May 1, 2008
    AZ
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    New guy here. I figured the costs to run a truck for a month at about $2500.00, (does not included savings for tires,ect.), divided by 12000 miles a month = .21 a mile. Fuel, $1.00 a mile for fuel. Total $1.21 a mile. Now a company driver can make $.32 to $.42 a mile.

    So, just to make the money for the truck, $1.21, and pay equal to a company driver you'd have to get $1.53 a mile to $1.62 a mile. Again I'm a new guy but I can not see maken $1.72 just $.10 a mile more and taken on OWNERSHIP. Oh, and you have to pay for your own benfits, what the heck. What am I miss'n out on. When your an O/O do you get more miles than the company driver. If so I can understand being O/O.

    How much is that fuel surcharge off the cost of fuel. Off the gal price and then off the $1.00 a mile? Is the sur charge a per centage?

    Threre are tax benifits. You can write off everything. How much this counts I don't know. Maybe someone here can clue us.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2008
  6. OneDollar95

    OneDollar95 Light Load Member

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    Apr 16, 2008
    Toronto, ON
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    MK7, as you know from my other post, I went with a big company here in Canada instead. I have no idea how an O/O is surviving right now at a standard $1.55 or 1.65/mile. I did the numbers on a $40K truck and realistically, the margins are way too thin. I think most successful O/O's are doing load by load based on commission offered and are surviving that way:biggrin_2556:
     
  7. mannmk7

    mannmk7 Medium Load Member

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    May 1, 2008
    AZ
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    Them darn reefers make to much noise. I hate it when they pull up mak'n all the rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr noise. Can't sleep worth a darn.

    Is that why they pay you more because of the noise? How much more do they pay?


    :biggrin_25513:

    Thanks
     
  8. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    I think the noise depends on a lot of factors...they aren't all loud. Distracting and annoying...yes, lol. They pay more I think because of the added element of the reefer motor, the colder conditions, the extra stuff you do (another tank to fuel up, temps to monitor...etc)
     
  9. mannmk7

    mannmk7 Medium Load Member

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    May 1, 2008
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    I just realized that I've seen you on other posts.

    Good idea for you to company for now.

    Good luck were you are at.
     
  10. 550hpW900L

    550hpW900L Road Train Member

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    That noise is putting food on your table. They dont pay more because of noise they pay more because produce, fruit always pays more money than any dry van load.
     
  11. 379 Peterbilt

    379 Peterbilt Medium Load Member

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    Nov 12, 2005
    Wisconsin
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    Hmmm....a load of toilet paper or a load of produce.....hmmmmmm

    I'll take the produce every day of the week. Twice on Sundays.
     
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