Advice Needed From 3 to 5 Truck Fleet Owners

I really enjoyed reading this thread,and will add a couple of my experiences when I have more time.
My suggestion to you is hire BigJohn54 for a financial advisor and BigBadBill for a life coach.Awesome posts.Gotta go

 

"And for the simple sake of calling it "gas". FYI...everyone calls it gas"...

Really? Most of us call it fuel.....

I guess you do have all the answers... so what's the point in even asking the opinions of those of us who have the experience that you do not?

I have an opinion based on many years in this biz... you have an opinion based on zero years in this biz... With the exception of my five years with UPS I have always worked for small fleets (under 25 units). I have seen how they prosper AND fail... first hand. I have been a truck broker working with small fleets... and I have years of experience as a dispatcher and in the safety department.

I will stand by everything I've said... for every ten new guys who show up on this forum getting ready to show us old farts how to really make money I'd say nine are gone within a year. In the short time I've been here there have been dozens of guys just like you... here today and gone tomorrow.

Do you realize that even most newbie company drivers never make their first year on the road?

My son just let his driver go from his second truck... just not enough income after paying the FICA, Social Security, etc. Too much hassle for the amount of money the truck was generating... and it was making some pretty good GROSS numbers.

So you go ahead and make us all look like idiots... go to your local bank and talk to the commercial loan officer and tell him/her about your sooper-dooper business plan. I'm sure the bank will be impressed and open their wallet to finance the next mega-carrier-in-the-making.

Let us know how that works out for you....

 

Here's a guy who was going to make millions... I think Denis is back to his old job asking "would you like fries with that?"....

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...r-operator/119118-father-and-son-company.html

The company Facebook page is also a wealth of information...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susac-Express-LLC/174550239231355

 

Nootherids you are the only one seeing it that way. I know enough about BigJohn to know his crack at Krooser was made tongue in cheek (he's another guy with lots of experience that you shouldn't dismiss). You are quickly positioning yourself as a know-it-all who only wants to hear positive advice and feedback. The very issue with you trying to wave aside posts from anyone you don't think are "qualified" as actual small fleet owners shows just how much of a clue you don't have.

Please check yourself and be just a little bit humble that men like Krooser even bother to respond to your post. Don't be one of the guys that finally gets him fed up enough to quit contributing. It'll truly be everyone's loss. He's forgotten more about trucking than you'll ever know, and he's got absolutely no reason in the world to BS you.

My Dad is a few years older than Krooser and I still talk to him at least weekly and ask advice. There's a lot that I know about that he doesn't, and in business the stuff I've done depends upon his lifetime of hard work for my teams to have a safe walk across the parking lot. However, a lot of times he tells me stuff I never thought of or don't want to hear. The fact is, he isn't computer savvy or a particularly complex man. He wouldn't get within 10 feet of a computer to save his life, so if I need to chat with him I have to do it the old fashioned way and make a phone call. He doesn't have a college degree and the closest thing to the corporate world he's done is regional sales for the suppliers he now sells under his business. All that aside, he's been in business for himself in the same industry for over 30 years. That my friend means something if you're sharp enough to pay attention and get it.

 

This is my issue. Have plenty of local business if I had 3-5 trucks I could get it direct. But what I can haul direct is from a couple customers that have 1-2 loads a month for me with 2-weeks notice. It is great pay but until I can grow I see that I am stuck with this.

About a month ago I was hot and heavy to get some O/O's to lease on with me but getting way too much in the fire to take that on right now. Will likely pick-up a hopper this weekend (have to go home because I broke my seat and need to replace it) and working on a flatbed contract that would pay me out and back for 4-weeks. So now shopping for flatbed.

And I too can't see doing much longer than 400-500 miles other than my direct freight. Money running IL, IN, OH, MI, WI is too good.

 

This can't be true! All these people telling us that you can't make money as an independent O/O or small carrier.

 

Well, since I am a sole proprietor, this plus my reserves is what the IRS considers my income.
Bust away, all businesses need to start with planning and there are 1,000's of small, medium and large carriers with owners making F Umoney that started just like I have. As a single truck carrier.
Experience and dedication is a wonderful thing. And I learn as much from people with negative attitudes as from people with positive attitudes. One of my mentors has 50 years experience and I would not take a bit of "business" advice from him but will talk all day about trucks and driving. He is a bitter, angry old man (his words).
If you look at some of my posts I agree with you to a point. Someone with no CDL, no money and living in an area with poor paying freight is not being honest with themselves.
But I have seen enough in and out of my driving career that if I had to bet on a person with little experience, a plan and a positive attitude and someone with decades experience that is bitter, angry and negative I will take positive.