Being an owner operator do or dont

Anyone have any successful experiences running local with day cabs?? The company I drive for now is a lumber company which means we run flatbed only, but we just started taking outside work last year and we've been doing alright. Most of our money is made on a back haul. That is to say that when we make a drop somewhere, we'll have another load waiting close by to be picked up and dropped the next day, or occasionally on the same day. The amount of trucks we're running is what's keeping us profitable in the business though, so I don't know if running flatbeds locally would be a good start for a new O/O. That leads me to my next question: From what I hear, hauling fuel pays pretty well and could be a good place to start.

Anybody know anything about this?? I'm new here and I haven't had much of a chance to sort through those 40+ page threads, so if anyone knows where I can find this info I'd appreciate it if you pointed me in the right direction. Or if you yourself have any experience pertaining to what I mentioned, feel free to divulge. Thanks in advance.

 

o/o can i get some positive feedback please!i have driven for mayflower transit,jb hunt,and big g express.Been off the road for a year,want to come back,i am investigating,searching,crunching the numbers,ect...lease,buy,company driver,ect.What to do?Are there any good lease purchase programs??Would like to run the southeast,some freedom for a change,have you heard of discount truck mart off 81 in pennsyvania?If i buy is there any good companies to sign with?Anyone have some sound advice,for a guy who has run up and down the east coast many times,and the midwest alot.Just looking for some freedom...thanks,not so green truck driver

 

Look around, the best companies have the LargeCars leased to them. We were with Watkins-Shepard for years. They wanted a LargeCar and to be kept clean back then. Image was everything. Some customers would tell them not to send rag into their yd. Dont lease, buy a new one, write it off over 4 yrs and get rid of it and then someone else will have all the problems. Tires, fuel, ins, payments on truck, taxes will eat you.

 

I've been looking at JB or something for that reason. I've been on the road most of my life as a co. driver. This year the co. I've been with for 11 years fired me 2x, how's that for gratitude for all my hard work(I work in foodservice, lotsa fingerprints). Needless to say, the experience has inspired me to get my own truck, and keep up the family tradition! My grandfather had his own co. for over 40 yrs., and somehow had enough time left to raise my crazy ###! Like many have said, it's nice to see some positive feedback on the subject. Thanks again! Stay safe driver.

 

It don't getcha home either!