Starting a Carrier Company

Just make sure the other drivers do not ruin your company. I am talking about violations and stuff

 

Most started out with one truck. I personally wouldn't do what you are talking about. It's not a part time gig.

 

I helped a guy open his own authority recently. He worked as a dispatcher for over a year, managing about 10 trucks daily. At the same time his father was an o/o for the same company. They got couple more trucks, found drivers and went on their own.
So yes, it's definitely possible, but you better get some experience first. Driving is the easiest part, finding good loads and managing everything is the hardest. It's not as easy as it seems like

 

My wife tried to be my dispatcher when I was leased to Landstar...I give her credit, she tried her very best, but without trucking experience it was tough for her to understand how the timing of appointments and the HOS regulations have to work together.

I would imagine that not having been involved with your dad's job other than hearing about what goes on, it might be a strain on a good relationship until you get acclimated to how trucking works. Starting a new company with experience is tough enough...starting one without some experience in the office would make it more than double tough.

 

Try to get a dispatcher job at a trucking company, maybe nights, or whenever you have time

 

You don't have to drive or dispatch to run a business. You do need to know about laws and regulations.A good business knowledge of profit and losses.what % to pay O/O what to charge for insurance,tags,fuel taxes,who is supplying the trailer if you are you charging for it.whos finding freight you or your O/Os .Are you looking for customers or you running brokers freight.you would have to answer these questions and know what you want to make to know what you'll have to charge to turn a profit No one on here can really help but you said you have a good friend doing it I would just pick his brain see what's working and what not from him.you don't need to know how to cook a steak to run a restaurant you need to know how to make a profit I personally know guys that have drove a truck for 20 years that doesn't understand how to run a company.

 

I'm going to be blunt and honest. Having trucks leased on with you is the SAME as owning them as far as liability goes. If one of these guys runs over someone and kills them you are opening yourself up to a mountain of liability, if you have many personal assets they will be all at risk. The main thing company owners do risk management. I own a few trucks and all the office staff does is try to keep paperwork in order to protect our jobs and assets. You are welcome to PM me and I will be more specific or even chat on phone.