How long should I drive before getting my own truck.

Tell him first which low rates will ruin you.
So he knows what not to book.

 

OP.
You will receive a sign from Trucking Gods.
Wait until you see it.

I waited 13 long years. I finally saw it
It was loud and clear.

 

Don’t take this wrong, but a majority of office bean counters have no ####ing idea what it takes to actually get a truck down the road, it’s not their money on the line and they aren’t the ones driving. New authority insurance is usually about 20k with a good driving record, new authority’s with no experience I would think would be outrageous.

 

Call for a quote on insurance to find out for yourself. I was budgeting for the "20k for new authority insurance" you always see quoted here and was pleasantly surprised when it came in at half that. Start with figuring out the kind of truck and trailer you want, call Progressive and give them that info, and see what they say. Every case will be different and I told Progressive up front I dont own a truck yet but here's what I'm looking at, they were more than happy to help.

 

What's you're suggestion? To quit trucking or...

So you think its smarter for him to continue to work with these mega carriers that are most definitely ruining the trucking industry... o/o? The fact that his employer is choosing new graduates with 3 weeks of training over him because the new graduates make 2 cents less to move freight that could have gone to an o/o but that o/o didn't win the bid because he refused to accept a low rate? ok, sure... blame those who want to break the chain.

 

The single truck owner operates are the ones out here pulling the cheap freight.

 

The lesser rate you are able to haul for, the more powerful you are. If you say to someone not to haul cheap,you are asking that person to give up the most effective weapon against you. Unfortunately, however cynical it sounds, it is in his best interests to be able to haul cheaper than you and eventually ruin you so there is more room for him. You are his competition.

Current rate improvement is an aftermath of not only the recent sudden volume increase but also dyzmo rate levels from March to May that put out of business many carriers, who were unable to sustain operations below 1.5 per loaded mile for a few months. When someone says he is a cheap rate hauler, I say he is that powerful.

Of course it is a different matter, if, due to ignorance and lack of lane rates experience, they take cheap rates while good rates are clearly available - that's make them suckers. So if you meant to say to him, don't be a sucker then I agree with you in that aspect.

 

I just paid off my first year, 97 truck 2011 reefer 1mil general 100k cargo unlimited miles was right about 23k in MA.

everyone has their own definition of cheap, personally I’ll leave my truck in the yard with buckets on the stacks before I move it for (or right around) cost to operate

 

Glad I dont live in MA lol

 

The sooner the better, because you will get sick of getting told where to go and sleep and when you can come back home. I remember I got my CDL and got on the road took me 3 months then I bought my first truck. Sold an expensive car that I had to buy me that truck. Started out buying a automatic then years went on learned more and more then now I only drive 13 speed or 18 speed. I the only downside is repairs, there’s nothing to driving a truck you just have to be smart about it. So I would recommend you do it ASAP.