Heavy Duty Trucks

I'm just going to say what everyone reading this is thinking and already knows. This is a really stupid idea. If you go through with it get ready to be taken for a ride by everyone you deal with who knows you don't have a clue.

There's not enough money in this business for someone to own one little truck and then hire the help that drives it. Literally no-one does it. You don't even have any liars out here saying they do it successfully.

Do a Google search on the truck driver shortage. So you think you're just going to hire one? And compete against companies offering vastly superior pay with full benefits? Good drivers have good jobs, which you don't even have to offer, or they already own their own equipment. Your choices of employees will be among rejects no-one else wants who will most likely tear up your equipment or steal from you, or both.

This question posted by someone after so much evidence out here that any person doing a little homework could tell it is a hairbrained idea - just always made me think these are worthless troll posts from someone who is bored. But just in case that's not the case here's your healthy dose of reality check.

 

Solid information from trucking business men. Save your money. Buy a sports car or a vacation. You going to be in over your head. I'v seen this a few times.

 

It was a little harsh, but I didnt give him a bs answer, either. I could have left the "gas" thing out. I'm sorry.

 

What's funny is I talked to a guy today that's hauling sandboxes into a pad that I was delivering chemical to. This is his first go around in the oilfield, and he has 2 other trucks hauling in as well. He said he was totally blindsided by what he was faced with. Thought he was going to be driving all paved roads, big areas to turn around, truckstops on every corner. Well he was wrong. And those of you that have been in the Bakken probably know what I'm talking about. These guys just think they're gonna come play oilfield and turn big bucks, only to find out that if they are getting a decent rate, it usually goes for truck repairs!

 

Went out to the oil fields ONCE, out in Loving NM this past February. Was hauling some pump boosters or something, took me 38 minutes to go 3 miles on the ####tiest dirt road I have ever been on. All the while these frac sand haulers flying by me going the other way blinding me with a cloud of dust I had to stop for it to clear. Some of these sand haulers were going so fast around the turns their front tires were pushing (like under steer) in the sand that was soft like corn starch. I watched every truck that passed me have their hoods and bumpers bouncing in opposite directions so whatever you buy, do not by a truck with an oilfield past.

I wouldn't do this load for less than $2500 (FT. Worth to Loving,NM, 500 miles less than 20k no tarp). The broker kept calling me back all day and offering a little more each time. I told him I wont go to NM for less than 25, he finally agreed. I was not informed of any offroad and now that it's all said and done they couldn't pay me enough to do it again.

One other note, the truckstops all around west Texas and NM were packed all the time with oilfield related hauling so "in" or not you're not going to make any money with all that competition.

 

Brand is irrelevant. Heavy specs, big power, lots of gears.

 

Saw anything from Volvo’s to Cabovers in ND.

Mostly Petes, KW ( a lot of companies run T800 day cabs, at least what I saw) and Western Stars. Those 3 I saw most and They took whatever got thrown at them on lease roads.

Also I would look more towards the condition of the truck and not so much mileage.

For the abuse it’s going to take out there, I would personally go late 90’s to early 2000’s.. that way WHEN it breaks you haven’t lost much. If I ended up with a def truck It would have “work” done to it.

 

Welcome to my "home". Lol!