might go OTR again

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by mrdot, Nov 11, 2015.

  1. mrdot

    mrdot Light Load Member

    241
    206
    Mar 4, 2015
    OH
    0
    Been driving for two years now. Most of my experience has been regional other than 6 months. Lately I have been in a funk. I thought about going local so I would be home everyday with my wife but I doubt I could afford all of my bills on the income, although my wife does work it doesnt change the fact I have some hefty payments. have a house payment of nearly $800 a month, but I am not locked in on a loan because I haven't signed any paper work. My parents were selling the house, I took it over with intentions of staying there but I just dont know anymore. My parents are completely fine with selling because it will be no problem for them.

    So I thought about dropping it all and bringing my wife with me out over the road. She has been out with me plenty of times and doesnt mind it at all. I thought maybe this would be a great way for us to save up some cash in order to do what we really want to do, put a tiny home on my families farm. If I didn't have this other house and all of the bills, it would be easily achievable. I tried to talk my wife into getting her CDLs but she wont give on it and I dont exactly blame her for not wanting to do this job.

    Has anyone done anything similar? have ya taken your significant other out with you for an extended period..and does it even pan out well in the end after all the eexpenses on the road?

    Also I dont have issues paying my bills now at all but I dont want to be stuck trucking for the next 20 years just for a home that is probably too big for us anyways. Basically, 5 years from now I really just dont want to be behind the wheel of a truck. Wouldn't mind running locally or doing any local work as a matter of fact.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

    6,394
    9,373
    Oct 21, 2012
    Chicago, IL
    0
    Why not team drive ? Your wife needs to step up and do what's best for the household. Don't leave all that money on the table.
     
  4. mrdot

    mrdot Light Load Member

    241
    206
    Mar 4, 2015
    OH
    0
    If you knew my wife you would understand why she wouldn't do it. She doesnt like to drive, gets too much anxiety. Probably safer for everyone if she didn't.

    I agree with ya though.
     
    Canned Spam and TruckDuo Thank this.
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,027
    142,273
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Look at Holland Enterprises Inc. Wife can ride from day one. Trucks set up nice with Apu's, satellite tv hookups, xm radio, refrigerator.
    Since the house isn't that important to you right now, the two of you can see the country together and may even find somewhere you like better than where you are now.
    That helped me leave my comfort zone in Tennessee and move to Las Vegas where the weather is good year round. I have wanderlust in my soul anyway, so that helped.
     
    mrdot and scottlav46 Thank this.
  6. Crassius

    Crassius Light Load Member

    87
    121
    May 15, 2013
    0
    TruckDuo is knocking down some serious cash, as it all stays in one family.... living within your means, with few outside expenses you and your wife could put away enough money in a just a few years to build a house with cash on your families farm.

    If she rides along with you at first full time, her disposition toward driving may change. You have to get her out there full time with you at first, and see how it goes. Even if she never wants to take a full ten hour team driver shift, just having a second log book available where she can drive during easy, non-crowded open road stretches opens up some extra earning potential.
     
    scottlav46 and TruckDuo Thank this.
  7. Ougigoug

    Ougigoug Heavy Load Member

    971
    824
    Dec 4, 2012
    Planet earth
    0
    Do your maths really well, you might be better off staying close to home, sometime the extra money doesn't justify being gone for long period.

    I was OTR for most of my career and about 3 years ago i have found a local gig paying as much as what i was making OTR.
     
  8. Ougigoug

    Ougigoug Heavy Load Member

    971
    824
    Dec 4, 2012
    Planet earth
    0
    TruckDuo do you mind if i PM you?
     
  9. mrdot

    mrdot Light Load Member

    241
    206
    Mar 4, 2015
    OH
    0
    That is kind of how I was looking at it. I will look into them. Just trying to open up my options at the moment and look into the 'what ifs'.

    If I could find a local gig that paid the money I needed I would most likely keep the house and enjoy my hometime. Regional just seems pointless to me. Just as I start to get comfortable I have to leave again.

    @Crassius I agree, I think if she was with me longer than a week shed realize how easy it CAN be. Expecially when you're out of the north east.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.