Question about best location for prospective O/O

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Fabulous Maximus, Oct 29, 2019.

  1. Fabulous Maximus

    Fabulous Maximus Light Load Member

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    Just wanted to get y’all’s opinion on something. If you were a new O/O with no ties to anywhere, looking to set up your own authority, what location would be your prime spots to set up shop in? I was thinking about moving back East to the Nashville area since that seems to be a pretty central location for freight lanes. Probably planning to run reefer, but I’m also contemplating flatbed/step deck. I’ve been trying to do the pro’s and cons on best freight location vs. lowest insurance rates, however, I’d like to hear from you experienced O/O’s and get your take when you have time.
    Also, would you be planning on running OTR or looking to be more local/regional as a new O/O and why? Cheers drivers, stay safe out there.
     
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  3. Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

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    Nashville wouldn’t be a bad choice. I would set up near a crossroads city with lots of lanes to choose from and low real estate prices.
     
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  4. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    You can run your own authority if you want to, I did in the past. Too much headache for me, especially now. I choose to lease on to a company and let them have the big headache. Don't have to really worry about being paid anymore from Brokers or some shippers who don't pay. Not to discourage you. You can do it. But crunch your numbers first, know the risk and what effort you are willing to put in. Talk to lots of people, O/O's Forums whatever. Then crunch your numbers again :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2019
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  5. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Another train of thought, you don’t have to work where you live. I’m from South Dakota and my truck doesn’t go north of I-80. I’ve gotten in on a pretty good deal and it’s not worth trying to get the truck home. I keep a vehicle at my buddy’s shop and drive home every couple weeks.
     
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  6. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    Also if you are doing all the back office work yourself, tat can be very time consuming, depends on how involved you want to be. There is reward in doing that, but also frustration at times. Being leased to a Motor Carrier you can eliminate alot of the back office headache. As far as areas go,otr, regional or local? That depends on you. You said no ties, so you are wide open flexible, that's good. People with a family may be more limited in their choices. But if you find a good gig tat works for you, go for it! Some guys won't go here or there, I say show me the money! Some places I won't go for one rate but if it pays enough I will.
    Refer and Flatbed/Step deck are worlds apart :) I done both. You can make money doing either one, but the environments, customers, respect, attitudes, freedom is completely different. There's even difference between Flatbed freight and Step deck freight and customers :)
     
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  7. Fabulous Maximus

    Fabulous Maximus Light Load Member

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    Yeah, I knew that on an educational level but I’m sure there’s tons that go into each I haven’t even though of. I have been leaning towards reefer because it seems like people always need to eat, summer or winter, so I imagine downtime would be minimal. Ultimately, I want to run under my own authority, do all the back end work, dispatch myself, and build up to a couple trucks. I’ll take my shot whether I succeed or fail, but I’ll probably lease on to another carrier first before I completely take the plunge. Thanks for the tips
     
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  8. Fabulous Maximus

    Fabulous Maximus Light Load Member

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    I was thinking about doing this out of Wyoming or somewhere else where insurance and land is pretty cheap.
     
  9. Fabulous Maximus

    Fabulous Maximus Light Load Member

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    I definitely see the wisdom in this, what are a couple choices you would consider along those lines besides Nashville?
     
  10. Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

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    Atlanta, Chicago, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Dallas, Charlotte, OKC. I haul arms and ammo so it would benefit me to live by a depot that does a lot of freight volume. Your hot area will depend on the type of freight you haul.
     
  11. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I would think, it would depend on what kind of trailer a guy wanted to pull, as to where the best location .
    When I ran otr I ran out of eastern NM, probably one of the worst locations a guy could find, but a good place to raise kids, and not bad insurance wise, but not good tax wise. If I had to do it again I would probably base the company out of Mt or Wy, but have a place back east somewhere to hang out, instead of running back and forth all the time. Preferably close to some good freight lanes, but also some good fishing. lol
     
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  12. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    That's the American Spirit that this Country was built on! :usa2:
     
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