o/o all doom and gloom?

Trucking is a business and with any business there is a risk. If you're not going to run under your own authority then you run the risk of not getting paid all the money due you (such as fuel surcharge). Which by the way fuel surcharge is not something you use to make your bottom dollar.

If your married it has to be something that you both agree upon and are able to stick it out in the roughest times. Trust me there will rough times....sometimes it will run 2 months of hard times.

I'm not going to give advice that yes you should or no you shouldn't but trucks are for sale everywhere just pick a good one.

Remember one thing.....the trucking business is NOT forgiving it will take everything you have ..... I MEAN EVERYTHING!

Best of luck to you in your decision.

 

They are running the ProStar which is the same truck under the skin I am pretty certain. The hood, interior and OO options are the only differences. The claim is that the new series IH trucks are 7% more efficient than anything else on the market.

Walmart has been touted as an industry leader in testing products to increase fuel milage. Trucks, trailer skirts, fuel additives, apu's, super singles and now they are looking at hybrids to be part of the fleet very soon. Walmart has set a personal goal of increasing overall fleet milage from current 6.5mpg's to 13 mpg's by 2015.

 

Something else that may or may not be useful to you: The 500 mile limit is "as the bird flies" not drive miles. This adds a good bit of range options for me, but it'll totally depend how far South in FL you're located to know how much good it'll do. Example: As the bird flies, it's just under 500 miles from here to Boca, but to drive its about 700 miles. Be sure to ask your agent to verify it for you. Mine did.

 

Hmmmm thats a good point. I hadn't considered that. Wonder how I can map a 500 mile radius without buying a new map. Found a way. Google earth has a crow flies point to point calculator. Thanks

 

Yessir, yessir, three bags full. Was going to tell you that Google Earth was how I did it too. Glad to be of service.

 

Looks like Madbunny and ????JKLL777???? will get along great a company drivers. They should go team.

 

I have a similar situation with insurance. I talked with Progressive and my state only allows 300 miles ... + they don't write cargo ins. If I can't run under my own authority, can ya'll suggest a few companies to lease on with that are good to O/O's ?? I would like a company that won't run me to death ... something where I can plan a little on which direction I'm going. I can go with Panther but their loads are sent via comdata based on your location. I would like to see the loads available and have a say as to what direction I want to head. My insurance issues are a result of recent TT experience.

 

I may be wrong but a company driver is just that a "COMPANY" driver. The truck goes were they say.

 

Tuckster,
Sound like you should sign on with Lonestar, or someone like that and you can pick your own loads. They can help you with insurance too. So can OOIDA, and probably your state trucking agency too.......