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Couple of Questions about OTR

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by henrygeorge, Dec 3, 2011.

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  1. Dec 3, 2011 #1
    henrygeorge

    henrygeorge Bobtail Member

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    Nov 29, 2011
    Georgia
    0
    If you're single and OTR, is it common to not own or rent a place? It seems like it would be a lot cheaper on your days off just to stay in a motel or stay with friends or family.

    I have an old truck and the insurance is really cheap on it. I don't even need an emissions for it. I assume it would be good to have an old vehicle since you're really not going to be using except on your rare day off.

    The great thing about OTR seems like your cost-of-living would be much cheaper since you wouldn't have the upkeep cost of rent or a home. Even 4 nights/month is a nice hotel would be cheaper than an efficiency apartment or small rental home.

    Free rent in a company truck is a fringe benefit.

    I would consider not even taking a day off. You already have a lot of down-time on the job to sit on the computer and waste your time, though I'd still consider checking into an motel every few days for a shower and bed.

    Also, why is OTR paid by the mile? Most of your income is when you're not really working on the interstate. The work starts when you get off the interstate, when you're dealing with customers, fleet managers, surface streets, yards, inspections, unloading, and loading. And some of that would not even be considered work.
     
    henrygeorge, Dec 3, 2011
    henrygeorge, Dec 3, 2011
    #1
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  3. Dec 3, 2011 #2
    OmcCheese

    OmcCheese Light Load Member

    185
    81
    Aug 22, 2011
    Colorado springs, Co
    0
    getting paid by commission is the best way to motivate a person. More mile equals more money. You are more apt to run an extra 60 miles than sitting in a truck stop.

    Having a place of your own is up to you. Yes you will save so cash, but it can also cause headaches if you have Items for storage.

    Most of your questions are common sense and the answers all depend on the person..

    Just sayin..
     
    OmcCheese, Dec 3, 2011
    OmcCheese, Dec 3, 2011
    #2
  4. Dec 3, 2011 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,679
    12,234
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    In the beginning, I threw my junk in storage and lived in the truck, saved lots of $$$. The things you mentioned are done for free, in essence. But, Son, that's trucking.......
     
    Allow Me., Dec 3, 2011
    Allow Me., Dec 3, 2011
    #3
  5. Dec 3, 2011 #4
    Scuby

    Scuby Heavy Load Member

    816
    235
    Mar 10, 2007
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    Henrygeorge some drivers use a family members address and stay with them and stay in a motel/hotel when they take their days off. Some will rent or have their own homes. Its pretty much up to the driver. Personally I rent because I don't want to spend my days off in the truck. Plus when I do a 34 reset I stay in a hotel for the night so I'm burnt out on that by the time I get to my days off.
     
    Scuby, Dec 3, 2011
    Scuby, Dec 3, 2011
    #4
  7. Dec 5, 2011 #5
    henrygeorge

    henrygeorge Bobtail Member

    8
    2
    Nov 29, 2011
    Georgia
    0
    thanks for the responses. i guess living in a hotel on your days off would get old, though i would think going back to cobwebs would be just as bad. almost makes you not want to take days off. i'm sure it still beats sleeping on cardboard.

    the part about being paid by the mile was a joke. i understand it is tough being otr, and pay by the mile is the most suitable pay to reward otr.
     
    henrygeorge, Dec 5, 2011
    henrygeorge, Dec 5, 2011
    #5
  8. Dec 5, 2011 #6
    Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

    1,791
    376
    Aug 30, 2008
    Tampa Bay Fl
    0
    Living in a truck is all up to you,but it can have its downs.I personally can't never live on the road unless I had a nice custom sleeper with a queen size bed and a shower and also a kitchen too.I see truckers out there that have those nice 120'+ custom sleepers but some of them stay out only 9 months and then take 3 months off.I once spoke to a husband and wife team who drive for a expedited company and they had a nice Volvo 780 with a custom sleeper with a queen size bed and a shower,man that was a nice truck.Well they said they drive from April till Christmas and the take 3 months off till mid March or early April.I wish I took photos but I didn't have my camera,darn..
     
    Bigarmin88, Dec 5, 2011
    Bigarmin88, Dec 5, 2011
    #6
  9. Dec 6, 2011 #7
    TheRoadWarrior

    TheRoadWarrior rocking-n-rollin again

    1,058
    3,154
    Dec 6, 2011
    South West
    0
    When i was hauling for the Specialized Industry doing nothing but Trade shows from delivery to take down and never leaving the show we use to own a 140 ICT sleeper Kenworth. It had the shower/bathroom/fridge/stove and all the goodies but i gotta tell ya there is nothing like coming home to a house or apt. we kept our house here in Vegas and had Friends stay over because we were gone for months at a time and thank god for the Big Sleeper otherwise i would have gone nuts and hotels are not the best way to go anymore with all the thefts and crap like that..
     
    TheRoadWarrior, Dec 6, 2011
    TheRoadWarrior, Dec 6, 2011
    #7
  10. Dec 6, 2011 #8
    roadreeler57

    roadreeler57 Light Load Member

    261
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    Nov 19, 2011
    Toledo,Ohio
    0
    Live in the truck & rent a small storage bin for your stuff & save money....Why rent something when your never there?...I always figured I might need that money for the truck & sure enough I did..
     
    roadreeler57, Dec 6, 2011
    roadreeler57, Dec 6, 2011
    #8
  11. Dec 6, 2011 #9
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,136
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    You need to have a home address to claim per diem
     
    RickG, Dec 6, 2011
    RickG, Dec 6, 2011
    #9
  12. Dec 6, 2011 #10
    Tardis

    Tardis Light Load Member

    211
    118
    Nov 6, 2011
    banned or retired
    0
    Get a home address from a UPS Store, they have PO type boxes to rent, use their address and the box number is your suite number.
     
    Tardis, Dec 6, 2011
    Tardis, Dec 6, 2011
    #10
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