I Wanna Own & Operate..Eventually

You can expect to get screwed over numerous times, taken advantage off, and kicked to the curb with no one around to give a ####.

Sorry but thats the reality of it today.

 

Lofty goals and ambitions. Nuttin' wrong with that though.

This is quite a broad and general question, but to be short and sweet, I'd say drive a company truck for a couple of years while saving up some buck$.

Expectations - Turn in that almost new company truck, then drop $10-15k down on a 4-5 year old truck, and pay for the insurance fuel and maintenence on it.

Best advise I'd give is to draw up a business plan with conservative expectations on earnings potential, countered with liberal expenses. Weigh the 2 and see if the difference equates to at least close to what you earn as a company driver. Another advantage is staying with the same company once you own, as you should have a good idea on what type of outfit you're dealing with. Not to say that this is a universal truth, staying with the same company, rather it might could be benifitial. YMMV on this however.

Glad to hear there are still O/O wannabes. I'm sick of seeing primarly Columbias and freeking Vulvas out there.....(grin)

 

Hello all and thanks for all the time and thought that goes into this forum, in my humble opinion, it is outstanding and very informative.

Let's post the question first and go over the reasoning behind it for kicks

The top question on my mind is what's really the most dependable linehaul tractor out there for about $55,000 ?

People knock Volvo's, and yet my distant dad has been rolling freight for about 45+ years and swears by them (owns 2 at a time).

I've looked at the Paccar trucks (KW and Pete), Freightliner, Mack, Western Star, and a few others I can't remember at the moment, and I really can't find a good combination of reliability/ mpg/ price/ comfort (in that order). One of the immediate needs is a workstation sleeper, to help ease the pains of team driving.

I do know the drivetrain and equipment setup we'll get the use out of, so the choices narrow quite a bit once you get picky in the used market.

Something will be done, good bad or ugly - and I would greatly appreciate any and all input regarding the possibilities. And thanks again!

 

When choosing a type of truck many o/o's look more at the resale value of a particular truck rather than the intitial cost.

Example a KW, Western Star, or Peterbilt will have a higher resale value than a similarly specced International, Freightliner, or Volvo.

In my opinion an aerodynamic truck should be at the top of your list. Then determine where you intend to operate this vehicle. Spec the vehicle according to the load, and terrain you will travel through as well as the type of trailer you will pull.

Once you have your specifications then you can start looking for a suitable match. There are a few different places you can look online that will help you in your search.

Be sure you avoid lease purchase programs. Get a truck in YOUR name. Meaning you negotiate the price and interest and YOU make the monthly payments.

No matter which truck you decide on be sure to get the extended warranty on the drivetrain. It is a safe bet you will need it some where down the line. ALL trucks break down sooner or later. The key is understanding your truck and inspecting it regularly as well as having a good mechanic to go over it for you to try and "catch" anything before it leaves you stranded on the road.

Another suggestion is to have at LEAST $10,000.00 in savings (to help cover a breakdown) before going down the road.

Some like a big horse under the hood. Imo you can get the job done with a 400 to 430 hp engine, high torque, with 355 rears. The higher the number on the rears the better it will pull hills and the lower the number the faster it will run on the flats. As for transmissions a simple straight 10 will do the job. Some like 13's but for most applications it is unnecessary. The top gear in a 10 speed and the top gear in a 13 are the same ratio, it is just the steps between the gears that change.

Do your homework and determine your "break even" number BEFORE you start with a real truck. Talk to some of these fellas with private messages if need be to pick their brains. There are some real good guys in here that will try to point you in the right direction.

 

My .02 find the gig first then be prepered to get the equipment that works for the gig I say this because to many go get a truck of there dreams instead of the gig that works and pays
and IMO resale value means nothing

 

I agree.
If your starting out, More than likely you will be starting out in a good "used" truck.
Do your homework. Make sure you have the "Gig" that will pay your bills along with your new truck/Trailer - Ins., fuel, etc....
Make sure it all adds up favorably.

Once you know what your gonna do, Then you will have an idea of what "Equipment" you will need to do it with.

I wish you the best of luck!

But carefully consider every scenario my friend, because once you commit... It's tough to hit the "Reverse"!

 

Wanted to drop a quick note and say thanks to everyone that gave advice - I took it to thought and made things happen on this end. My brother (veteran driver) and myself (OTR rookie) got together and spec'd a solid team rig that'll earn it's keep as near as we can tell.

"Tiny" (fitting name for the unit) is a 2005 Volvo 780 (231" wb) with a Cummins ISX @475hp and a 13 speed, 3:58's, at 472k so far. He was well taken care of at Raven, and turned in on a Volvo lease near showroom condition. After Tim & Wayne # Nacarato Truck Center in Atlanta got through he sits ready to roll out for more team miles. They fitted a pair of 150gal tanks, air gauges for all the axles (air ride front on this truck), a trolley brake (why it wasn't there is beyond us), and a new set of Firestone drives. Props go to the crew down at Nacarato - they pulled this truck in and set him up to run for the price we talked, even adding a new set of drives into the deal at no extra cost.

Anyone got any experience with Premium truck warranties? I wanted to cover bases, just a turbo alone on that engine is about $3,500 - it was a throw in on the deal and sounded like the best choice.

Thanks again to all out there, and thetruckersreport for havin' us here

 

It's a tough economy right now but with hard work and a bit of luck you may make out.

How much did you pay for the truck?

How long did you finance it?

What APR were you able to get?

What are the monthly payments?

Any other details on extended warranties?

Are you planning on leasing to another carrier?

Please keep us posted as you go. I wish you good luck and safe journeys.

 

Listen to what these guy are telling you.