Best time to get a truck huh?

value o mine is just above scrap..I insure it for 10k PH/D.
BUT........Its been to Phoenix Arizona all the Way to Tacoma,Philadelphia,Atlanta,LA

NEVER judge a book by its cover- The Scrap you may see visually, May Run Smother and Look stronger than the eye can see.

And our "old" trucks have a story.........

 

patience, my friend, patience...

I too, was like you, when the pen hit the napkin. Everywhere I turned, every new-ish truck to me, was like a 14yr old is to Roy Moore -- instant wood

I talked to a few people, and was given the wisdom of looking patiently. Oh and yes, there were quite a few polished turds, but I landed on a pristine pre-emissions (seen here: My first truck *1998 Volvo VNL64T D12*)

My bobtail was hovering about $2200/yr (truck only) if I leased-on - NO IDEA what that "other" insurance was gonna be...but they stated that their fixed costs were $250/week (not including insurance). YOU DO THE MATH...

My $1MM Liability /$100K Cargo / $1MM General with $15K Auto + $30K Interchange is $17K/yr on my own MC

You ONLY SEE what you want to see (like the matrix). Open your mind a little more, talk to people with older rigs, learn a thing or two.

That shiny new-ish truck will make you act irrationally to critical decisions, just because a truck note is due.

I was talking to FOLEY after I got my MC but before I did my drug test (while shopping for a drug consortium), and I realized that I knew more about the process than the person trying to sign me up.

Take your time, and you will learn a lot more than you think...or rush into it, and find every pick-pocket in trucking prying your pockets likes crazy...You've been warned.

 

Ok.

But remember there more to it than just numbers.

And selective hearing (or listening) very risky.

Good luck.

 

You are focused on the WRONG numbers.

There. I said it.

Business is about ALL the numbers. Outgo numbers and income numbers.

Let's back up a little bit for perspective. Which guy in a trucking company gets paid the best (outside of senior management or owners)? I'll tell you: it's the sales guy. It's always the sales guy. He's the one driving around in a beemer, with an expense account, playing golf and schmoozing customers. Why is he paid so well? Because a good sales guy generates better revenue.

The reason to be in business is profit, and half of profit is margin. The other half is volume. Without that sales function to create the margin, you have nothing but volume (i.e. work).

So your first decision is to give up control of the best paying job in trucking, and half of your numbers. You can do a dozen or more things on the outgo side to cut costs and compete, but only ONE thing on the income side: and that is the sales function.

Guys will agonize over half pennies on the outgo side, and step over half, even whole, dollars on the income side. I think you are agonizing over the wrong numbers. I think you should spend as much time on the income side, or more, than on the outgo side.

 

Two things. I'm a firm believer it is always the perfect time to get a truck. Even in a slow economy there is money to be made.

Second. You will not average 2500 loaded miles per week. Sure you will hit that mark some weeks, but others you will only get 1800 loaded and 700 deadhead.

 

But all the OP wants to know is if he can average 2,500 miles a week at $1.68 a mile flatbed.

No moralizing, lecturing or general chiding in general.

Will someone please tell this poor guy if that is possible or not

 

I am 6.6 and never rode a motorcycle in my life. I was advised by a rider that I should start with a smaller engine....not to be overpowered, but the smaller engines are mounted on smaller bikes and I would look ..funny and maybe uncomfortable, on the other hand bigger, fitting my 2XLT size bikes are too powerful...How to solve my dilemma? Will I ever ride a motorcycle?

 

LMAO...

This is how I started (in order of first, to current)....

fyi...I'm cheap. I never spend over 3K on a "toy"

1. 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50 (800cc cruiser)
2. 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan (1500cc) - 15" apes, vance hines, sidebags, fairing
3. 2003 Kawasaki ZZR1200 (1200cc) full touring package

So, yes, you can start a little further along the scale, then ease back or change style if you wish

The OP (@Bymep ) can start wherever he wants, as long as he can handle it...