New owner operator

Sharky88 · Aug 23, 2016

Zeviander said: ↑

Flatbed is more physical work, but the rates are slightly higher from what I've come to understand from other users here, and there is more flexibility with what you can haul. Aside from something really, really fragile, you can pretty much put anything on a deck with the right securement. Not everything that can go on a deck will fit in a van/reefer (anything longer than 8 feet, unless you load it in with rollers and a ceiling crane, won't fit).

For what kind of trailer, a 53' spread axle step deck gives the greatest flexibility for shippers for height, length and weight (you can load up to 40K on the rear axles).

@Hurst is going to have a lot more advice on the actual business end of things.

And there are places where you won't want to run freight into, because getting out is #### near impossible. I've heard this tends to be areas like Florida, Montana and Colorado. Places that specialize in manufacturing are always good to run into, because they have goods that need to go places where you can reload with resources they use (steel or lumber). Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania are great for this (and if you want to run into Canada, get a split axle you can close, and run steel into Saskatchewan and Alberta).
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I don't know about that. I've had 15' crates weighing 19k lbs in my van

alien4fish · Aug 23, 2016

This is some good sound advise.....and the California part is spot on, flat rates are crap right now but reefers are up and vans too for that matter. Best of luck out!

maggard359 said: ↑

You stated you wanted honest advice.....I have owned my own truck for 18 years and had authority last 4. I mean myself I think you should give all that money to me, let me kick you in nabs and we will call it a day. But I don't blame you for having a dream. Understand from what I see, a used truck 35-40k, a trailer 15-20, and that's conservative, plus your 30-35 leftover, man I don't think I could pull the trigger on turning loose of that, I mean my first truck was a cabover Peterbilt I traded a 72 Chevrolet and 1500 bucks too and I promise you when I left home in that truck all I had was a few quarters to call home when I broke down. Now I leased onto a carrier then, they gave me a fuel advance and paid me weekly. Getting your authority, you gonna pay all your fuel, tolls, and any maintenance upfront and considering you don't know which type of trailer you will be pulling I have to assume you will be hauling from broker boards. some brokers offer a 2 day pay and some offer 30 day, 90 day, or we never pay. You wanted honest advice, that 35k you have saved can disappear in a week or a month with a few bad choices. Its easy to see how lucrative a business it is, but you rarely see anyone on these forums and see the heartbreak and disappointment and broken families that failure in this business brings. You toss around that kind of money and this time next year I hope you tripled your money, but my honest advice you seek.....you won't. Now back to the business, if you have your heart set on it, buy you a pre emissions truck, a decent trailer with good tires. Don't do California, those drivers hauling for the same money now that it was 10 years ago. Don't accept broker loads without 2 day pay until you get the hang of things. Don't get involved in factoring, it will cost you more in the long run. Find some steady runs and stay away from problem areas. Never haul a load for the price the broker first quote, it's a negotiation. Take some of that 35k and fill your side box with tools, stay out of garages. If you have a leaking hose change it and save the old one trust me you will need it someday. Enroll in a drug screen with anyone don't even try to manage that. Ooida has one and it's well
Worth it. you will get a dot audit within first year, have your paperwork for drug testing, they won't come to take you to jail if something isn't right, the first one is a slap on the hands and teach you where you went wrong. I really hope you do well and the best of luck.
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Ridgeline · Aug 23, 2016

Yeah want advice?

After 8 years you should have learned that. But I will give you some.

Don't get an authority yet, lease on with a company and learn from them. Let them chase the money, get paid and move around a bit to try different things on their dime with their trailers.

revin57 · Aug 24, 2016

Diesel Dave said: ↑

Go Skateboard. You will never look back.
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But what if he actually falls on his back.

Diesel Dave · Aug 24, 2016

revin57 said: ↑

But what if he actually falls on his back.
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Then you get back up. If you have the will, there is always a way.

B.A Loustaunau · Aug 24, 2016

maggard359 said: ↑

You stated you wanted honest advice.....I have owned my own truck for 18 years and had authority last 4. I mean myself I think you should give all that money to me, let me kick you in nabs and we will call it a day. But I don't blame you for having a dream. Understand from what I see, a used truck 35-40k, a trailer 15-20, and that's conservative, plus your 30-35 leftover, man I don't think I could pull the trigger on turning loose of that, I mean my first truck was a cabover Peterbilt I traded a 72 Chevrolet and 1500 bucks too and I promise you when I left home in that truck all I had was a few quarters to call home when I broke down. Now I leased onto a carrier then, they gave me a fuel advance and paid me weekly. Getting your authority, you gonna pay all your fuel, tolls, and any maintenance upfront and considering you don't know which type of trailer you will be pulling I have to assume you will be hauling from broker boards. some brokers offer a 2 day pay and some offer 30 day, 90 day, or we never pay. You wanted honest advice, that 35k you have saved can disappear in a week or a month with a few bad choices. Its easy to see how lucrative a business it is, but you rarely see anyone on these forums and see the heartbreak and disappointment and broken families that failure in this business brings. You toss around that kind of money and this time next year I hope you tripled your money, but my honest advice you seek.....you won't. Now back to the business, if you have your heart set on it, buy you a pre emissions truck, a decent trailer with good tires. Don't do California, those drivers hauling for the same money now that it was 10 years ago. Don't accept broker loads without 2 day pay until you get the hang of things. Don't get involved in factoring, it will cost you more in the long run. Find some steady runs and stay away from problem areas. Never haul a load for the price the broker first quote, it's a negotiation. Take some of that 35k and fill your side box with tools, stay out of garages. If you have a leaking hose change it and save the old one trust me you will need it someday. Enroll in a drug screen with anyone don't even try to manage that. Ooida has one and it's well
Worth it. you will get a dot audit within first year, have your paperwork for drug testing, they won't come to take you to jail if something isn't right, the first one is a slap on the hands and teach you where you went wrong. I really hope you do well and the best of luck.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the advice

B.A Loustaunau · Aug 24, 2016

HopeOverMope said: ↑

You are diving in well prepared financially. Since you will have your own authority I think the trailer you invest into depends on the customers you plan on contracting with... Especially the ones that may be in your local area... If you live in a retail based area, you may do real well with a van... If you live in an industrious area a flat would be better suited... I pull flat and have clearly seen my gross revenue increase of that compared to van but then again I'm leased to a carrier... So, your operation plan and locational advantage is kind of critical in determining what trailer is needed...

If your were in that high retail area and you wanted to be home weekly and you score a direct contract with Amazon or whomever, then boom, a flat is worthless to you and that particular contract...
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I was thinking flatbed based on number of loads on board in my city. I appreciate the advice.

B.A Loustaunau · Aug 24, 2016

maggard359 said: ↑

You stated you wanted honest advice.....I have owned my own truck for 18 years and had authority last 4. I mean myself I think you should give all that money to me, let me kick you in nabs and we will call it a day. But I don't blame you for having a dream. Understand from what I see, a used truck 35-40k, a trailer 15-20, and that's conservative, plus your 30-35 leftover, man I don't think I could pull the trigger on turning loose of that, I mean my first truck was a cabover Peterbilt I traded a 72 Chevrolet and 1500 bucks too and I promise you when I left home in that truck all I had was a few quarters to call home when I broke down. Now I leased onto a carrier then, they gave me a fuel advance and paid me weekly. Getting your authority, you gonna pay all your fuel, tolls, and any maintenance upfront and considering you don't know which type of trailer you will be pulling I have to assume you will be hauling from broker boards. some brokers offer a 2 day pay and some offer 30 day, 90 day, or we never pay. You wanted honest advice, that 35k you have saved can disappear in a week or a month with a few bad choices. Its easy to see how lucrative a business it is, but you rarely see anyone on these forums and see the heartbreak and disappointment and broken families that failure in this business brings. You toss around that kind of money and this time next year I hope you tripled your money, but my honest advice you seek.....you won't. Now back to the business, if you have your heart set on it, buy you a pre emissions truck, a decent trailer with good tires. Don't do California, those drivers hauling for the same money now that it was 10 years ago. Don't accept broker loads without 2 day pay until you get the hang of things. Don't get involved in factoring, it will cost you more in the long run. Find some steady runs and stay away from problem areas. Never haul a load for the price the broker first quote, it's a negotiation. Take some of that 35k and fill your side box with tools, stay out of garages. If you have a leaking hose change it and save the old one trust me you will need it someday. Enroll in a drug screen with anyone don't even try to manage that. Ooida has one and it's well
Worth it. you will get a dot audit within first year, have your paperwork for drug testing, they won't come to take you to jail if something isn't right, the first one is a slap on the hands and teach you where you went wrong. I really hope you do well and the best of luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks I appreciate it

B.A Loustaunau · Aug 24, 2016

Zeviander said: ↑

Flatbed is more physical work, but the rates are slightly higher from what I've come to understand from other users here, and there is more flexibility with what you can haul. Aside from something really, really fragile, you can pretty much put anything on a deck with the right securement. Not everything that can go on a deck will fit in a van/reefer (anything longer than 8 feet, unless you load it in with rollers and a ceiling crane, won't fit).

For what kind of trailer, a 53' spread axle step deck gives the greatest flexibility for shippers for height, length and weight (you can load up to 40K on the rear axles).

@Hurst is going to have a lot more advice on the actual business end of things.

And there are places where you won't want to run freight into, because getting out is #### near impossible. I've heard this tends to be areas like Florida, Montana and Colorado. Places that specialize in manufacturing are always good to run into, because they have goods that need to go places where you can reload with resources they use (steel or lumber). Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania are great for this (and if you want to run into Canada, get a split axle you can close, and run steel into Saskatchewan and Alberta).
Click to expand...

Thanks I actually live in Colorado

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