Becoming an o/o

It sounds like you have given this some thought. Having previously owned trucks you have an idea what is involved being an owner operator. I am not clear from your post how much current experience you have driving. Most of the major carriers require at least 6-12 months of current otr experience. If you don't have current experience, that might be your main obstacle in leasing to most carriers. Landstar and Mercer are both good owner operator carriers. Living in New England you may also check with Universal AmCan or Mason Dixon. I know they have freight out of your area. All of those carriers pay percentage and have a lot of flatbed freight. When you start looking for another truck you might also check the Truckpaper. You can sometimes find a good buy in their ads. Things haven't changed much since you previously owned a truck other than having more regulations. It is never ending. If things don't work out as you want finding a carrier to whom you can lease, you can always get your own authority. Not everyone wants to go that route, but it is another option for you to consider as you embark on your next great adventure.

 

One suggestion...try and run freight that doesn't require you to carry tarps. You might find since you are in your mid 50's that lifting tarps up and down is not what the body wants to do any more. Late husband was a flatbedder from his mid 20's till he hit his mid 50's. He moved into curtain side work and said no more tarps. Your plan looks good but do make a careful personal evaluation of your current health and physical condition for flat bed work.

 

I'm up there in years and do flatbed and also tarp when I have to. I can still lift them with no problem but I do work up a sweat when I do. Most of the time the forklift driver will drop them anywhere you want. I do pace myself. I won't take a load if I have to tarp then drive 500 miles or even 300. I'll tell them I'll deliver the next day after they want it. It's much more enjoyable if my plan for the day is to load, tarp and get to a truckstop and do the 600 miles the next day and next or whatever.

 

sounds like a good plan. you may be better off spending even less on a truck. Sometimes it's better to get a $10k truck and put $15k in it than buy a $25k truck. Landstar might be a good fit for you, they don't seem to mind letting a guy run at his own pace or take time off as he chooses.

 

I agree stay away from JRC

 

Sounds like you have a good plan, have experience and got a handle on the financial end,,find a shipper or steady outbound freight from the NW,,it will be no problem finding freight going north,,remember to consider toll cost ,, you are a young squirt and have lots of years ahead,,good shippers and good brokers will love to have your services,, with so many goof balls out here it is not hard to shine!!

Drive safe

 

You're making over $65K right now and home every night? Half the truckers on this board would kill for that.

 

LMAO......YUP!

 

Michigan and Georgia aren't that far from Boston, and I don't think there are 48 states in the window.