Getting Loads While Using own Authority

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by BigGreg, Jun 3, 2009.

  1. LDH26

    LDH26 Light Load Member

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    That's the kind of thing i'm looking to do. Run real hard for 2 or 3 months, cut back on spending, make alot of money, re-coup my 8 or 10 that I spend on the truck and the 8 or so that I spend on a year's worth of insurance, then milk the truck for all I can. From that point on it'll all be free and clear.
     
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  3. SKTBRD

    SKTBRD Bobtail Member

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    May 22, 2009
    Merrimack,NH
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    The one thing I've learned is that if you're not moving, you're not making any money. I knew a guy who sat for weeks at a time refusing to move unless he got that extra $.25 cents per mile. Well, he sat until he went out of business.

    One run I make is from NH to IL then back to NH. I make crap leaving here and do good on the way back. It averages out to a little bit better than the average rate given the times. The point is, I keep moving.
     
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  4. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    :biggrin_25516:"It's a crap shoot". Truer words were never spoken. Just consider a couple things. Insurance/registration/2290 continue on even as the truck sits. Any repair is costly. A steer tire is $300 plus. That could be your profit on a short load. Can you pick and choose your working time with the broker? Most brokers I've seen want a commitment if you are using their trailer. Consider also hiring a driver for the truck when you are busy mowing lawns in the summer months. Heck, take a chance, Columbus did!:biggrin_25516:
     
  5. LDH26

    LDH26 Light Load Member

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    I would rather hire someone to mow the lawns so that I can do the driving. LOL!
     
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  6. newly crusin

    newly crusin Medium Load Member

    I know of a landscaper ( not that well,through the family) that does kind of the same thing, he has a tri-axle dump though. During his downtime from landscaping in I guess the fall,winter he works for some contractor hauling whatever.
    Bought his dump off eBay for I know cheap, i viewed the listing and reserve price, but the seller did not disclose the trans/clutch problems.He was a little mad.
    He had to repair those, he did all the work himself, saved himself a bundle.
    BUT, now he has a legal, reliable, working dump to increase his income during down times from his landscaping business.

    crusin :biggrin_25525:






     
  7. newly crusin

    newly crusin Medium Load Member

    LDH26,

    I had just found a small company who had offered me local work with their trailers.Working for their brokerage dept..
    I have my own authority and would be hauling for them at % of line haul $.

    It is possible to find a company like I did,a lot of calls,speaking to people in the business,etc.

    good luck!

    crusin:biggrin_25525:
     
  8. newly crusin

    newly crusin Medium Load Member

    BigGreg,

    I'm new to this forum, I have read quite a bit and received valuable info from new O/O's and seasoned O/O's.

    It would be an intelligent decision to read some these guy's threads and do real research, work out as much real world $ amount's as related to start up cost's,tag's,tax's,insure., etc. so you will know as to what it will cost you to get rolling.

    A few of the most intelligent suggestions I have received from an expeirenced O/O's was:
    " If you don't have $10,000-$15,000 in start up $, stop now,because you probably won't succeed"

    " Keep your overhead as low as possible after start up and don't live beyond your means,I do my own maintenance ."



    I just got all state,fed,FMCSA paperwork completed, it cost's money, just as it does to originate any business.
    I banked $ for quite some time for start up $.

    The key to success is low overhead,strong management experience,a successful business background and a good accountant at tax time.

    I'm not at all trying to give you negativity, more power to you if you can succeed.

    Myself,I have received negativity and very positive suggestions from this board.
    I have listened to suggestions, then researched then via web to verify the suggestions.There are web sites out there to verify internet info.

    BigGreg,
    these dudes will help you, especially if you are new to the business.

    crusin:biggrin_25525:


    Big Greg,
    I am purely in an info gathering stage,as of now.I haven't made up my mind on anything,except,I know what I want to do.That is work for myself.Other than that,I'm undecided.Undecided on new vs used truck,own authority or leased,etc.I have even looked into broker training,working from home.I appreciatte everyone's assistence.I don't think I'm gonna do anything this year.I currently work for a contractor at Fedex Home Delivery,so I have money coming in.The economy being in such a mess,I may wait till it rebounds,which it will.Even tho I have 13 years transportation experience,mostly local delivery in cargo vans,I still know little of the big picture.The more knowledge I get,from you experienced guys,the better.Thanks [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2010
  9. newly crusin

    newly crusin Medium Load Member

    I agree with Allow Me,
    you probably won't get much of a truck for $10,000.

    crusin

     
  10. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Owensboro , KY
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    I bet I know more guys that went broke moving for cheap rates .
     
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  11. Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    Oct 7, 2006
    Oklahoma
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    It looks like you have a lot to learn. And who cares about CARB.
     
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