Are you happy you are an Owner Op?

I’d like to do my trailer doors, Chrome tape the whole doors. Be like one of them fancy Truckers.

 

I have done a similar deal on a couple of jobs.
Not really a lease, but they needed a truck that I didn't have insured at the time, and it was a certified davis bacon payroll job, So I worked directly foe the company and drew a check, he furnished everything for the truck, and I also drew a truck check. I ran it one one job like that and my son in law ran it for me on one, it worked out well for all parties.

There is a union company up here that uses owner ops, the union ones draw a drivers check and a truck check too.

 

Our O/M said we will never bow to the tyranny and oppression of mega carriers.

Many of who's drivers are currently enjoying massive $400 to $600 week settlements.

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM

 

I am very happy as an owner operator (now)

I started out with a brand new truck I purchased to lease on to a #### company I was working for in the years prior. I quickly learned how difficult it was to get ahead and maintain a positive attitude when it felt like I was getting butt f'ed every day before even firing the truck up. I'm glad I hung on and didnt give up though.

Fast forward a few years
... I found a new home for my batmobile which is a year since paid for, my 'dream trailer' payment covers itself, and I'm able to provide a comfortable lifestyle for my young family. All while living in one of the nicest cities in Canada.

I'm so thannful for the company I'm leased to. I know I'm not technically an o/o, but I have no desire to venture out on my own. The % I pay off the top for the service, support, and work they provide me is a drop in the bucket. It goes a long way to feel like a "partner in business," and not a sucker. They win, I win. I win, they win. Let's all work together and make as much money as possible!

The good days are good, and the bad days are still very bad, but I go to work these days feelin blessed and full of gratitude. If you can swim through the #### and find the "oasis," this business can be pretty sweet.

Then my engine will grenade next week and I'll have an entirely different set of words...

 

It's Super Trucker Dan. He says he's been driving 25+ years and is an OO leased onto Mercer.

Here's the video he did on being an OO. Lack of a big truck payment made his income look good, but he does have to put away more money for repairs.

 

This mfers goal pulling a flatbed is 1.50 a mile. Guess we know who's cutting the rates now...

 

Ohh! Well, maybe he’s giving an average scenario?

 

Hmm. I alway thought it was starting that caused most of the engine wear, not the running.

Okay. The YouTube got me up to speed on idling.

 

Idling may be as damaging if not more than engine startups. Buying a used fleet truck without an APU likely means it has been idling for at least 200 days straight.

10 (idling hrs) X 6 days = 60 hrs
60 (idling hrs) X 40 (work wks) = 2400 hrs = 100 full days

Fleet truck sold in 2.5 years = 250 days of idling nonstop. The engine itself is not only worn, but also the many parts that working along with the idling engine.

 

No wonder they're relatively cheap. The engine would need an overhaul according to a youtube mechanic (presumably). Thanks for pointing that out.