Fleet truck and power only

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by fishlikeme, Sep 20, 2021.

  1. fishlikeme

    fishlikeme Bobtail Member

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    I have been working for a mega carrier lower 48, reefer and dry van for about a year and a half. My previous career has made me accustomed to working alot of hrs each day and alot of days in a row.

    Planning on looking for a newer fleet truck (2018-20 Cascadia), putting about 40k down on it, getting my authority, insurance, etc and trying to pay it off by living in it and doing power only loads through Amazon, Uber, etc and anybody that does power only and will take newer authority. My personal expenses are minimal and I will keep about 20k in the business acct to start with.

    Is it feasible?

    Do your worst ;)
     
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  3. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    I think you'd be in a better position buying a trailer and finding a good broker. I had several call me within days of getting my MC, wanting me to pull their trailers.

    By the time you added up the fees they wanted to charge for, I think most worked out to about 1.50$ per mile.
     
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  4. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Why power only?

    You'll make a hell of a lot more money with your own trailer and you'll have all kinds of dexterity and access to loads that you'll never have with power only.
     
  5. fishlikeme

    fishlikeme Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the responses. I keep hearing that some of these outfits let you use their trailers for extended periods and they maintain em. My logic in this has been less to maintain, but you guys are saying I'll more than make it up by having a trl.

    Duly noted.

    Gotta roll now. Bbl and thx for any input in advance.
     
  6. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    The more you control the better. They aren't doing you any favors.
     
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  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Not power only, it is a hook and drop.
     
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  8. Speed_Drums

    Speed_Drums Road Train Member

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  9. Tanksmuch

    Tanksmuch Light Load Member

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    I've researched the world of power only. The last thing I'd want to do is bump docks, I'd want to drop and hook new trailers, or specialty trailers, etc... The attractive part of trailer transfers, or very lightweight drop and hook, is very little interaction with people, no load/unloads, drive a heavy truck, and 10+ average mpg.
    If you want to bump docks with live load/unload, then do what others have said, get your own trailer... and get a newer one. Me personally, I hate live load/unload, docks or tanks.
     
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  10. fishlikeme

    fishlikeme Bobtail Member

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    Ok you make it sound attractive. Is there enough of this to get a new operation off the ground? Also, what do you mean by "heavy truck"?
     
  11. Tanksmuch

    Tanksmuch Light Load Member

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    Listen, I have no experience in power only, this is just from my research. I've only been a company driver pulling tanks and I'll never go back to being slave to loadouts or offloading ever again. People have control over when you load, offload, don't care, forget about you, waste your time up to 4 hours per day without being compensated, 2 "free" hours to load, 2 "free" hours to offload. Companies are 100% dedicated to giving shippers and receivers GREAT SERVICE WITH MY TIME. "heavy truck" meaning not having to be weight conscious since you'll only be pulling empty trailers or very light loads. typical freight is maxed out near 80,000 pounds, stressing everything on your truck. A big bunk with apu, shower/toilet, fridge, etc... is what I'd prefer and what I'd drive if I went power only. And since I'd be bobtailing between loads, I'd park in much nicer places than truck stops.

    I also think power only/new or empty trailer, or specialty trailer runs are extremely quick to hook and drop. Most of the time your paperwork is in a box, you grab it, find your trailer, pre-trip, hook and go. When dropped,. you unhook, post-trip and place paperwork in a box and leave. I'd be willing to bet there's a fraction of the wasted time vs bumping docks and pulling heavy. But, I'm not chasing big money.
     
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