Getting into O.O coming home from Afghanistan

I'm currently a government contractor working in Afghanistan and served in the Marines before getting out in 09. Contracting is slowing way down over here and I'm looking to still make close or above 6 figures a year but work back in the states. Any information on the owner operator business is very much appreciated. I'll be home around April or May and I have plenty of cash on hand. I'm looking into buying a truck and trailer and going to work with a good company.

Currently I'm looked at is working around the San Antonio area hauling rock and gravel with a bottom dump trailer set up. Owner operator of course. One reason I've been interested in this was for the fact that a couple of the guys I've talked to said they'd hire me with no experience and have me run with an experienced driver until I was comfortable. I've been hearing weekly pay for that is around 4500 to 6000 a week from employers. Looking at trucks I've found hundreds of 2003 to 2007 trucks around the $18,000 range and good bottom dumps around $20,000 to $25,000. Is this all possible and true? Can I really be in for an investment of around $35,000 - $40,000 making $4,000 a week or more? Of course I understand a lot of this money will go to maintenance on an older rig and fuel but I'm thinking that once I get everything ironed out I'll be home every night, off most weekends and putting around $2,500 in my pocket a week. Am I way off in thinking this? Thanks again for the help.

 

Currently I'm looked at is working around the San Antonio area hauling rock and gravel with a bottom dump trailer set up. Owner operator of course. One reason I've been interested in this was for the fact that a couple of the guys I've talked to said they'd hire me with no experience and have me run with an experienced driver until I was comfortable. I've been hearing weekly pay for that is around 4500 to 6000 a week from employers. Looking at trucks I've found hundreds of 2003 to 2007 trucks around the $18,000 range and good bottom dumps around $20,000 to $25,000. Is this all possible and true? Can I really be in for an investment of around $35,000 - $40,000 making $4,000 a week or more?

Thank you for your service Marine; Now, no sir you cannot hit those numbers on revenue, prolly half that on a good week. That market is saturated with trucks plus you have several big players like Statewide with much more equipment on call. If somebody is telling you that then see their checks.......rain , traffic and way too many trucks on one job are just a few of the challenges. Last I knew they didn't pay FSC either, no one did.

On the belly dump, sure you can get one in the 20 to 25 k area but consider this, a new one can be had right at 30k.

On the tractor, you would need to select carefully . You need big power and big rears ( off road work ) with a solid transmission. I wouldn't take anything less than 3.90's into the dirt. A solid frame is on the list too like a double frame rig.

If this is really what you want to do then keep your money put up....drive for an owner or co. for say 90 days and check it out. If you're still in love with it then buy a tractor and lease ( % of load ) a trailer from the carrier ( like Statewide ) and protect your downside ( notes ) . You will sit especially in the rainy season.

Look at this again and much deeper,
Good luck,
JMO

 

Ditto on what chalupa said. Take your time and look at it from the company side first.

Thank you for your service.

 

Thanks guys I'll definitely take that advice. It's not all about the money but then again it is. The major thing that has attracted me to trucking in Texas and around the oil fields is the $$$. I'm not too good to work for $40,000/ year but I'm also used to 6 figures a year for the past 5 years and it is nice. Is there anyway to make that kind of money trucking and if so how?

 

40-60000 gonna be a good average for a local o/o Too many variables

 

I run I-20 every week and have heard the oil field guys say that they are making 6 figures. That could be just truck stop driver stories. But it is defiantly busy around the Pecos to Sweetwater area.

 

I agree 6 figures is probably a good number. But that is to the business and not net driver. Simplefix if your serious also talk with southern ag carriers outta Comanche tx. They haul a lot of ag products on hoppers and such all over Texas. Just more opportunity to consider.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm considering anything involving trucking to make close or at the 6 figure mark. O/O, company driving or even OTR. Again I'm new to the game and would have no driving experience other than the trucks we've been driving over here in AF but that doesn't count. I've been doing a lot of job searching and when I go to the transport section of craigslist in the Texas region I see lots of big weekly numbers. Hauling frac sand is the big one right now that I'm seeing but there's pretty much zero chance of a new driver getting in on one of those jobs. The advantage I have is money put back. I've heard a lot of people say to hold off and get a company job first to learn the ropes.

 

I did exactly what you are talking about. I retired from the USMC and went to work as a contractor in Iraq. Saved up my money paid cash for truck and trailer and been doing it ever since. Yes, you can make 6 figures in trucking but I'm not sure about your market or even your location.
The BIG thing I had going for me was my brother owned a trucking company that had 5 company trucks and 18 o/o so I had a lot of people help guide me along the path. I had no experience when I got into it. I studied for the CDL test while in Iraq and took it when I came home on leave. I had driven duelies and pulled big gooseneck trailers (hoarse and flatbed) all my life. I took the driven portion of the test in my dad's freight liner sport truck that he pulled a horse trailer with. I used a friends gooseneck flatbed that could meet the weight requirements to get the combination endorsement. Passed the test and the very next day bought my truck and trailer. It sat for a 1.5 years while I continued to work in Iraq. I would drive it everywhere when I came home on leave. To the mall, mcdonalds, visiting friends and family. That is how I learned to drive that old truck. (95 GMC White Volvo). After coming home leased on to my brothers co and the rest is history. He has outstanding customers.
His company drivers make right at $75000 some a little more some a little less.
The big hurdle for you will be insurance. They control everything. Most of the small guys will require 2 years experience (dictated by the insurance mafia) and the the big companies don't pay good. ( they are self insured and can take advantage of hiring new hands) The ones running local May be able to get you on and may be the way to go. If you have been saving your money you may want to sit on it a while and drive for some of them then make the decision about O/o later on.
Like I said I had a lot of help and now know that it would have been very hard to make it without all of the experienced drivers and my brother guiding me in the right direction. You just don't even realize what you don't know. Driving has been the easy part.
I hear good things about Mercer and Mavrick but don' know how their freight is in your area. Also some of the steel distributors like O'Neal steel and Ryerson my be a place to look. They run local so may not require as much experience.

 

When and if you buy a truck, make sure its Blood red in color..in honor of "your service"