Looking to buy my own truck. How much do I charge per mile to haul.

Why would you buy a truck if you have no idea what the rates are?

 

Do you know anything about the costs to run and maintain a truck? Do you have any business knowlage? As previously stated learn to drive the truck, and learn the business before you consider buying a truck

 

Welcome to the forum. I'd suggest searching and reading the forum more than first posting such a loaded question. There isn't one rate per mile. You have long haul and short haul. Different lanes and markets. Some areas have more trucks that freights, other more freight than trucks. I'd suggest working for a company just to get the basics down with logging and pre trips. Once you have the basics down you might want to buy a cheap truck and lease on somewhere. Again, just to get the basics down with dealing with brokers and lanes.

I can't tell if your first post and question is just some trolling, but you seem like you have a long way to go if that was a genuine question. Good luck.

 

I suggest knocking that idea in the bud, being an independent these days can be tough, especially for someone that even isn't in the industry yet,the cost of running a truck goes far beyond just a truck payment, like others have suggested? Get training, drive for at least a year (OTR), then rethink your thoughts on buying a truck

 

Cost plus a ROI

 

And don't forget to pay yourself a good salary and figure that as part of "costs" ... and don't forget, you'll need to make those wheels turn with paying freight onboard at some point during the week. Sitting home playing with momma or constantly "fixing things" does not generate revenue. You'll need revenue.

 

Yep. Seems like $50,000 - $60,000 in payroll is what a fella should be figuring these days.

 

Not to mention how to maintain one in the first place. I get called out for a road call, the first $100 spent is just for me to be called out. After that, it's the hourly rate, which starts from the time I leave the shop to the time I return after the job (or the time it would take me to return, if I'm sent elsewhere). In between beginning and end, I have to go on-site, get eyes on the vehicle, diagnose the fault, assess how to remedy it, locate parts I need, travel to the place where the parts I need are and purchase them, return, and make the repair. Majority of my road calls by far have been for company trucks, and many of them are ultimately for things that, had it been an owner/operator, they should have been able to do themselves (e.g., replacing belts, alternators, hose clamps, etc).
Buy a truck without even knowing the basics of how to maintain one, and you'll be spending a whole hell of a lot more for me (or someone like me) to do things you could've done yourself for a fraction of the cost, and more at your convenience.

 

Lee, you need to take everything these guys are saying to heart.

Unless you grew up in the trucking industry, and been immersed in it for years, you could not possibly prepare yourself for what's coming. I agree completely with the previous posts saying that you need to work as a company driver first. This way, you can learn on someone else's nickel.

Your desires and aspirations are admirable. But for your sake, and the sake of your family, learn the industry before you try to take it by storm.

I wish you the best of luck

 

I play with momma everynight and fix things and still make revenue.......