How do you O/Os do it?

3K a month. Any left over you get to keep. I don't see why anyone would want this job. The bears try so hard to keep the products away from the stores. I have a special love for the Bears.

 

6 miles over the speed limit. God of Maricopa won't like that Boy. His name is Joe, Cops like him. You probably won't. One of the best CFS ever had was there. Arizona is hella for Drivers. Great big fines! Let em starve to death.

 

I only need so much $ to keep me happy and my motorcycle, boat and chrome shop fix to be covered...again with a paid off dependable truck I only work 2 to 3 weeks a month and usually take a month off at least 3 times a year.

I have a buddy in the same boat as me, he takes the winter off at early November and goes to Key West til its done snowing up north every winter.
Its not rocket science to make good $ stay away from big payments and maintainence intensive trucks.
I've heard of people spending more $ on emissions problems and downtime per year than I've seen quoted here for getting better mpgs.

It doesn't take long to lose $20K if your truck is in the shop often and waiting on parts...truck smarter not harder.

 

Because O/o's who drive and keep up trucks that old drive them right...

*You don't see them screaming up the hills, foot on the floor...

*You don't see them driving blindly, trying to hit every pot-hole in the road...

*You don't see them Power-Shifting every gear, off the traffic lights, trying to see if they can twist the frame into a knot...

*You don't see them sitting, doing nothing for hours on end in the truck stop, but rather actually inspecting and maintaining their truck when they stop...

*They are like the captain of a ship,...Knowing every screw, and bolt,...and weld...

It is not the fact that they own an older truck, but rather they are proud of their career, their equipment, who they are, and what they do. Its too bad that this mentality has been lost in this industry. The old days of trucking meant you knew your equipment well, and knew how to drive it well, otherwise you just end up on the side of the road. Technology has improved, but is now geared around trying to protect equipment against drivers who have no clue on how to actually drive their equipment for long term reliability. This creates an industry full of 'Pedal Stompers' who cannot figure out how to make a truck last more than 500k without half of it falling apart.

Modern trucks are built lighter than ever, but this does not mean they have a shorter lifespan when driven right.

Just my thoughts on it,...Rawze

 

Dead on here....good post!

 

How do I do it?

I run it like a business, not a hobby.

I don't drive for fuel money.

I'm constantly striving to learn more from those who are successful, as well as what NOT to do from those who go out of business.

I run a flat, and once I get out and away from the house (in Florida - don't even get me started on that) I stay in the good paying freight lanes until it's time to go home.

I save money wherever I can - I am the driver, mechanic, accountant, dispatcher, publicist, safety & compliance officer, and every other job title that happens to need to be filled at the time. I am not cheap, just thrifty. For example, it is amazing how much money you can save by taking Nutrisystem or other similar prepared meals with you on the road vs. buying all your meals. If I can do a lube/oil/filter change myself and save money, I'll do it. If I can find a reputable shop along my route that is having a special on PMs and they can do it for less than I can myself, then I'll have them do it. I had a water pump go on the road...I wrangled the parts up and changed it myself, and saved easily $600 in labor versus the quote (quote is being kind - gouge was more like it) given to me by the shop that thought they had me by the short hairs.

I think the single biggest thing is sticking to my guns when it comes to my rates...I have averaged over $2.00/mile for all miles (and unfortunately, I have incurred some significant deadhead lately) my last three quarters. Even at that, there are times when we are tight on the budget - but we have been able to stay afloat and are now into our second year under our own authority. We are working at building more direct shipper contacts versus relying on brokers (read that as more money in our pocket instead of the broker's). You have to know the freight lanes that are applicable to your operation and try to develop contacts with shippers who want the service you can provide but that the big carriers cannot.

If I can do it with a 1979 Kenworth K100, then you can, too.

 

Rawze and Wings2Wheels hit it dead on, its an equal balance of pride and business. The newer trucks are lighter, but taken care of they will last just like this 1985 model maybe better. Nothing holds up to the abuse of someone who doesn't like their job, or doesn't realize this equipment pays my salary I should take care of it.

 

Gentlemen,

That was exactly the information I was hoping to get.

Thank you,

Mike S.