How much Can I make trucking

Most drivers aren't disciplined enough to be successful owner ops. And most of the people coming into this business nowadays have never in their life had a tough job. The ex-military guys seem to do best. Farm boys do well. But the vast majority have it in their head that they are going to have some easy job where they just sit and hold a steeringwheel for a few hours. And they buy a truck so that they can do what they want to do and work when they want to work. If a mechanic opened a shop with the same mindset that these guys wanting to be owner operators, he wouldn't be able to stay in business either.

 

How much money can you make? Depends on how fast your copier runs.

 

All those friends wanting you to give them a ride somewhere for "gas" money isn't going to cut it. Gas money dosn't cover repairs, insurance, taxes, breakdowns, wages, IFTA, Tolls, or Murpy's Law to name a few.

You don't want to be living paycheck to paycheck either.

 

"The whole situation" is best flipped into thinking the other way...

How much expenses will you incur on the big road? And how much will your demanding spouse and hungry kids require? Remember, Horse first saddle second, you last. Savvy?

 

There isn't a single job that exists that you will find people on the internet telling you its great and awesome. Even forums for doctors have the same "School too long/expensive for the money you make" spiel when people inquire about becoming one. Forums for mechanics are the same with "Not enough money/ crowded profession/ back breaking work that ruins your body". As far as owning your own shop or truck that comes with its own cross to bear. In both cases its all on you to make sure everything is running, that you have enough money to pay the bank, fuel, costs of operation, employees, scheduling, advertising,insurance....ect. No one should start a business that they don't understand and can't perform the function of. So be a truck driver before owning a truck.

 

Keep being a mechanic. Trucking isn't considered a skilled trade. There isn't as much money in it as recruiters would have you believe.

 

Honestly the money's much better wrenching.

 

So much depends on your situation and if your a company driver, what company you work for. I'm a company driver running specialized freight and I do very well.

 

And most fail because the first thing they find they want to do, is not work. Especially true of too any of the folks that jump into lease purchase.

 

This is kind of like asking the question "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"