"Are you sure you wanna do this?", said everyone. 6 month update.

Thanks for the info Red, I'll look into the FB group. I've been fairly lucky in those.

Hey Rank, thanks for the interest in my situation but I haven't got that much dirt to print. I'll go into greater detail once I get it all sorted out and I have no problem sharing with ya'll once that happens. The basic nuts and bolts of it though is that the profit is not where I need it to be at this moment. Nothing new there for sure. As far as truck details: I'm not looking to turn this into a shill post for my truck but it is on CL in South Florida if anybody wants to check it out. I don't think there are a ton of White 99 KW T600 on there right now, so it should be fairly easy to spot. Be well all.

 

First of all, anyone who hasn't caught this from the beginning should go back and read the first post on this thread. Everything there still applies. That being said, here's your cautionary tale for today.

I just completed the sale of my truck today and I feel great about it.

My operation was primarily Power Only and most of my income came from running Load-Out Trailers from the usual suspects (Coyote, TQL and the like) Along with a handful of Tow-away runs for people who bought equipment from out of state and needed it moved. The trailers haven't dried up and there is still plenty of freight to move so it's not for lack of work.

Something happened to rates last Fall and steady runs that I could usually count on started paying about 30% less than usual. It didn't happen all at once, but once rates started to drop at the end of the year they just never seemed to rebound this year. Somebody chime in on this and make sure I haven't cracked up.
I think this may have something to do with all of those record months of truck sales that I've been reading about. Well, it's my opinion that all of those turds are now on the road and sucking up runs at bargain rates. The brokers are loving it because coverage is no longer an issue and they can adjust their payouts accordingly. I think it's a perfect storm for the brokers and they are eating it up.

@rank No claims for damaged cargo, no accidents, no HOS violations or anything else too sinister. I did get an out of service on a brake chamber that broke mid-trip.I'm really glad the DOT caught it before it broke all the way. It was fine that morning, broke 3 hrs into my day. Fixed it and got no ticket for it, However, they did write me for the lack of reflective "L"s on the trailer doors. I completely missed the tape when I picked up this brand-new trailer from the factory.

I've never worked this hard for this little money. Not saying that I mind hard work (I've been steadily employed since I was a teenager, I'm 49 now. However, my operation has only succeeded in making money for other people. Insurance companies and Fuel suppliers mainly, not to mention the myriad of other folks with their hands in your pocket.

I'm not leaving trucking completely. I'm just leaving the Owner/Op side. I've already gotten a couple of offers and may even get a chance to drive my old truck now and then for it's new owner. Wouldn't that be a kick in the head? Get to drive my old truck with some other guy having to buying fuel, plates and all of the other fun that comes with owning your own truck.