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How do you O/Os do it?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Sep 28, 2013 #1
    DuesyJ29

    DuesyJ29 Light Load Member

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    Jul 19, 2013
    Dallas, Texas
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    Standing in the parking lot at the Petrol in Rochelle a few days ago I saw a guy leaving the Blue Beacon in a just washed early to mid 80's COE Pete pulling out. It was a nice truck. Green with two big chrome stacks, and sounded like a truck should, pulling a matching reefer. But standing there I got to wondering how those of you that run older trucks manage to do it? How do you make enough money on a regular basis to just drive what you want? I want to do it too. I still have a bit before I can, but I sure would like to know what I need to be looking for as far as putting myself into a position to achieve that goal.

    Thanks,

    Mike S.
     
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    #1
    sfd714 and tmowry1 Thank this.
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  3. Sep 28, 2013 #2
    WorldofTransportation

    WorldofTransportation Heavy Load Member

    702
    577
    Sep 20, 2009
    Your mother
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    What do you mean how do you do it? You buy the truck and you drive it.. Same as every other o/o.. Maybe I don't understand what you are asking.. Are you asking about how do you afford it? Who will lease the truck? stuff like that... The affording part is easy... It is paid for.. and most guys that drive trucks that old know how to turn a wrench.. I guess I don't understand what you are asking

    The money is the same as everyone else you can't go curtain places.... I make more with my older trucks and in the shop less than I am with the new ones..
     
    WorldofTransportation, Sep 28, 2013
    WorldofTransportation, Sep 28, 2013
    #2
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  4. Sep 28, 2013 #3
    tmowry1

    tmowry1 Light Load Member

    52
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    Jul 4, 2013
    NE Indiana
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    No truck payment gives you a lot of extra money for the extra fuel and repairs, im not an owner op yet but come from a family full of them, relatives with new trucks have to drive their rears off just to cover the payment while my uncle runs a mid 90's KW he paid off 5 years after purchase that he maintains meticulously and takes care of. He drives less, is home more and puts way more in the bank than my cousin with the year old rig.
     
    tmowry1, Sep 28, 2013
    tmowry1, Sep 28, 2013
    #3
    luvtotruck and cetanediesel Thank this.
  5. Sep 28, 2013 #4
    DuesyJ29

    DuesyJ29 Light Load Member

    78
    35
    Jul 19, 2013
    Dallas, Texas
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    I guess I should clarify. How do you afford it? What rates are typical when you're running your own truck like that? Is there a ballpark for the rate I would need to be getting in order to run an older truck? Are most of the guys running older equipment on dedicated runs, regional, does it matter even? I know I can buy a new truck and run everywhere and get higher mileage and make money, but that's no fun. I'm thinking about getting an older truck in a year or so and pulling intermodal out of the yard near my home in Dallas as an O/O. Just trying to figure out what it takes to guarantee success with an older truck. If part of it is being willing to pick up a wrench, then I'll be fine with that. I'm jot afraid of any wrenches.
     
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    #4
  7. Sep 28, 2013 #5
    Off-n-on

    Off-n-on Light Load Member

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    Aug 4, 2013
    Phila, PA
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    Message deleted
     
    Off-n-on, Sep 28, 2013
    Off-n-on, Sep 28, 2013
    #5
  8. Sep 28, 2013 #6
    freightrunner

    freightrunner Heavy Load Member

    722
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    Mar 25, 2012
    Georgia
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    I think I know what you're trying to say. Maintenance is really the same as any new truck. Ok as far as fuel mileage they get about 5 mpg. Only a 1 or 2 mile difference. Parts may be harder to find but it's less electrical stuff..
     
    freightrunner, Sep 28, 2013
    freightrunner, Sep 28, 2013
    #6
  9. Sep 28, 2013 #7
    bigdad7

    bigdad7 Road Train Member

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    Jun 6, 2010
    ks
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    Not to major on minors but 1 to 2 mpg is 15 to 30k a year.....but how to ya do it one gear at a time
     
    bigdad7, Sep 28, 2013
    bigdad7, Sep 28, 2013
    #7
    SheepDog Thanks this.
  10. Sep 28, 2013 #8
    DuesyJ29

    DuesyJ29 Light Load Member

    78
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    Jul 19, 2013
    Dallas, Texas
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    Ok. So older is easier to fix. That I can understand. I drove a 73 impala for 5 years with no issues that I bought fo$700. But, you guys are putting millions of miles on trucks from the 70's and 80's. What have you had to do to keep that truck out there on the road? I see mentions of rebuilt engines, transmissions, rear ends, etc. How often do these things have to be replaced? Will they ever need to be replaced if I meticulously maintain them?
     
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    DuesyJ29, Sep 28, 2013
    #8
  11. Sep 28, 2013 #9
    landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

    2,414
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    Feb 4, 2012
    NY NY
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    I do it because driving a company truck just SUCKS and i DO NOT take direction well.I am not in the least bit interested in working for the Slave Masters..
    I am a Free-Spirit that likes to come and go as i see fit because i have my own brain.I DO NOT need to led around by my ear like most of these baby truckers sucking there thumbs and weting there pants....:yes2557:As a matter of fact Humans are free spirited and not meant to be tied up like a pretzel the way we are now.We are meant to be FREE.

    The sad part is we are all living in a Prison these days and it is getting worse by the day....
     
    landstar8891, Sep 28, 2013
    landstar8891, Sep 28, 2013
    #9
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  12. Sep 28, 2013 #10
    Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

    3,033
    2,045
    May 13, 2011
    Middle Tennessee
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    By not volunteering our truck and time to haul freight for strangers in return for fuel money.
     
    Semi Crazy, Sep 28, 2013
    Semi Crazy, Sep 28, 2013
    #10
    cetanediesel, LSAgentOZR, 123456 and 2 others Thank this.
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