Company Driver Becoming Owner Operator

Ok, your enthusiasm is commendable, but hold on. Don't worry about the truck, what's wrong with the company you're at now? You have high hopes at probably the worst time in history to own your own truck, much less a fleet of them. Unless you have hauling contracts for 20 years, better forget about your own truck. Insurance and taxes will absolutely kill you. Freightliner? Add truck repair costs at $100/hr. to the list. My best advice, is don't do it.

 

Because there’s no good paying loads right now. Company BS is nothing compared to your ruined credit/marriage (if you’re married) and subsequent financial/emotional loss. If big boys with decades of experience, lots of cash/assets and relationships with shippers are folding what makes you think you can make it? Do you have something that they don’t (besides 35K and a year of experience )?

 

Good quality & Freightliner should not be used in the same sentence.

 

how are you business savvy?

 

Become a member of www.OOIDA.com which is a business website for the owner-operator & small fleet owner.

 

If you are business savvy you should know about the following considerations before starting your enterprise........ But I wonder if you are.

The economy...... We are at The apex of the economic cycle. Why try starting a business when it is likely we will soon be entering a period of economic decline.

I'm sure you know that the trucking industry is saturated with truck capacity, but that freight volumes are declining, resulting in favorable conditions and rates for the shipper. Not so much for the trucker. Business savvy trucking companies are going bankrupt left and right at the moment. Your plan is to..........?

What part of the industry does your business plan identity as under served and ripe for exploiting? HH, tanker, HM, flat, step, reefer, dry van, . General freight, ag, energy, forestry, military, etc etc

It only makes good business sense to spec and purchase a truck that fits your target industry.:
What gears, transmission, rears, wheelbase, HP , cab configuration . Pre egr ,or not, pre def or not, what years were emissions the most problematic, and which engines.

What region of the country. It only makes good business sense to integrate your truck specs with your target region, along with your target segment. Mountains, flat, high speed western states, congested East coast, ??

Being business savvy requires an understanding of operating costs, like insurance, 2290, ifta, quarterly filings. Etc.

How do you rate yourself against these metrics.?

 

This should be good. I'm going to watch