Have 80K to invest and want to start a trucking company looking for advice

If you have valid and good knowledge/direction for the OP, why not post it here?
If it's worth its salt, it will also make it hard for anyone to ridicule you.
The main purpose of these threads and exchanging info should be to help EVERYONE, even others in similar situations as the OP, that may do a search in the near future looking for answers. You're doing everyone a disservice by keeping it private.

OP, I'm glad to see you opened up quite a bit and making discussing this much easier.
I'd hope ppl would cut back on the "strictly slamming" comments, even if some ideas may not be wise or feasible.

 

hey army guy they're giving you some advice you have to learn the trade. you might want to try elsewhere. there's a lot more ways to lose in Truck than a restaurant business

 

I agree, but as the saying goes....."don't cast your pearls before swine" and there seems to be a lot of trampling going on here. Pm seemed best for this particular situation for me.

 

I was going to say the same thing. I personally know 2 fellas that blew threw at least that if not more and in 1 year it was all gone , no profits and equip was for sale .
Dont get me wrong , I wish you well.

 

This may be of some use to you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8YhfkxHlQ

 

ARMYGUY1152. I think that I understand your desire to start this business and I will offer any advice that I can. With $80,000, you have a leg up that most contributors to this forum were not fortunate to start out with. Accept my advice in good faith, because that is how I'm offering it. I am not aware of how long that you have known about this forum, and so if you are relatively new to it .... .... READ, READ, READ ! I think that with the start up funding that you have, my plan would be as follows.

Look at truckpaper.com and try to buy your two trucks for $15,000 each, or less. Try to find them close to your own location so that you don't tie up much time or money inspecting them. Be Patient ! Using that purchase budget you will find a lot of trucks to chose from but most of them will be in bad shape. Be Patient ! You can find two trucks that will get you started just fine. You can't be to picky about the appearance but look for major leaks; engine, transmission and differentials, look very carefully at the chassis bushings, look for any frame damage or alterations and stay away from any frame suspicion. If the paint isn't great but is ok; and the mechanical inspection is ok, then buy them. Don't get to hung up on every little detail. You have the funding to get the trucks DOT compliant. Another problem that you need to avoid is the emissions concerns that so many operators are dealing with. Purchase trucks that are year model 1999 or older to avoid such issues. As for trailers, same advice. Use truckpaper.com and you can find van trailers priced at below $7500 that have a lot of life left in them. Some will scoff at this, but I think it's true. Hopper trailers, reefer, step decks and flats seem to be much more expensive, so start slow and learn. Chose only one brokerage firm and run for them exclusively to build a relationship while you learn. Again - others will scoff at that, but you will need the help and advice that you can receive through a loyal relationship with a brokerage company if you are upfront with them about your goals to succeed. This information is "my opinion", and I hope that it gives you things to think about as you proceed. If you think that it is all hogwash, that's ok.

 

Join OOIDA. Check the website. This is a business organization is for the owner-operator and small fleet owner.

Schneider has some pretty good used trucks. They have used truck lots in Chicago, Atlanta and maybe other locations.

 

I dont think anything is black and white but this might interest you, might give you some ideas.

http://www.dat.com/resources/trendlines.aspx

 

I was kind of following you til this.

 

if youre set on buying trucks, older trucks in Cali are being dumped off a good prices

Ill tell you this, whith 1/2 that money you have, you should be able to buy a few trucks and start a used truck dealership.