Company Driver wanting to go Owner Operator.

That's great because you're basically debt free starting out which is ideal in this business.

 

I would probably get a newer truck and learn how to make money with it first. Later if you decide to resurrect the old truck then go for it.

 

I don't know much about Texas Freight, but if you can stay busy with the trailer that you already own forget about that reefer at least to start with.

Reefer Freight takes forever to unload, you have issues with maintaining the engine and all that type of thing, and if you have your own authority I understand that the insurance is more expensive because claims do happen.

As long as it is in usable shape, or you can put it in usable shape and make it look presentable, use it. Not to mention that a good Dependable reefer is going to cost you money. Put your money into making your stuff dependable and keep the rest in your pocket.

I know you said that the truck looks rough, but if the truck ends up being really rough, you could always sell the parts off of that truck or sell the whole thing and buy yourself another truck or buy another of the same truck and keep that one for parts and put your nice new engine in and work that one over if it's less work. It all depends on how much work it is and where the money falls.

I have to say though, it's amazing what a shot of paint and a little elbow grease will do if what you are doing it to is worthwhile.

 

There isnt a lot of freight comin out of Abilene, so that will make it harder as an o/o. Even as a lease operator. But that 53ft step is a money maker.

We've got an '89 Pete sittin at my bosses shop that is a 1 owner truck. Its too bad because its in real sad shape, but it could still be turned into a nice truck.

 

There's your $ maker right there. Can't beat a 12.7 you could take that truck with that stepdeck, lease onto a good co and make some good $

But you need to know your #'s. Fixed costs, variable costs. What its gonna take down to the penny per mi to operate that truck and at 1st its not gonna be cheap.

Pm me your #. I dont have all the answers but Ill help you out as best I can.

 

Don't take what I'm saying as critical, just take it as advice from someone that's been around the block a few times. You may have started this thread just thinking out loud so like I said just take it as advice.

If you seriously want to run a business, you need to really concentrate on what's important and think like a businessman. If you have access to a truck that just needs some maintenance and tires and you can use it versus an old truck that needs to be restored, forget about the old truck. Get it out of your head. Unless there's some really valid reason forget about reefer trailers forget about anything except what you have.Old trucks are great but they take a lot of time and a lot of money and it's something much less realistic then having a newer truck that doesn't nearly need the amount of work. So you take the newer truck you take the trailer that you have and you Center your mind on using what you have without any debt or as little debt as possible and go work and make as much as you can and most importantly save it. Forget about the other truck until you have say 40 or $50,000 in the bank and you are making enough money that you don't have to touch that money.

You have to concentrate your mind on what is most important. So a newer truck that needs less will cost you less and be quicker to get started but that truck also is going to require money and care and maintenance or you most certainly will fail. That has to be your priority first.

Like I said once you get a sizable bank account then you can play with the other truck. As long as you have the funds to make sure the truck that you are using that is your bread-and-butter that pays your bills and that you work every day can be repaired and taken care of, then you can repair the other truck. And if you can handle all of that together then eventually you could make the old truck your primary truck if you can get it in that kind of shape.

But you have to decide if you are serious about business, because you have to make a decision like a businessman. If not keep working as a company driver and just work on the old truck as a hobby.

As a mature person, believe me, opportunities do not last forever. Decide what it is that you truly want like a mature businessperson would, and be unwavering in whatever it is that you choose to do. That is the only way to success.