How much money do ovwner-operators make per year??

Was a joke.
There is the Good Bad and Ugly...then there's CR England.

 

Don't even think about getting a truck of your own until you've spent some years out here seeing what trucking is about. This is a brutal industry walking in the door as a company driver. There's a whole lot to learn about the business side and running one. Even the best drivers out here fail as business owners, it aint easy. Hint $172k gross, $55k take home with a 2012 Volvo getting 8+ mpg with an auto trans. I didn't buy the truck on a whim, I did my research. Lotsa upkeep and maintenance even on a new truck with all the new polution stuff.

 

Man I ain't trying to pick on you, but why the hell are you running your own truck for what a company driver makes at a good carrier? Is this a lease purchase deal?

 

55k take home is like 85-90k gross after expenses. Carriers pay that good?

 

Watching you fuel economy close, doing regular maintance on the truck, should be between 90 cents to 1.00 per mile, if you broker trucks subtract the cost of the driver. Many of the costs such as the truck and repairs are tax deductions just like any business assets depreciate over time. Never write a truck off to 0 though then you pay capital gains on whatever you get for it. So if you plan on doing 100,000 miles a year you will get around 50,000.00 in your pocket. Remember the governments love to pick your pockets as much as they can.

 

So ive been trying to read these forums but i cant get a feel for how #### works. I am dreaming though as someone in this thread said. I can see myself driving that nice extended sleeper cab around brand new with everything i need and my dog in the passenger seat...making $$$$$ lol. I think I am gonna go to a company first (hopefully regional) but I want to keep learning the business...any advice?


also - should i go with maverick if i plan on buying an automatic trnasmissioned truck one day?

 

Two things. First, keep track of all truck related costs while driving that company truck. This will help educate you on just how much #### money these big diesels are too run down the road.
Second, maverick is an excellent choice and has nothing to do with that #### auto tranny.

 

yea was just on mavericks website. they pay pretty decent for starting out...up .40 per mile! with increases of .03 at 3 and 6 months!!!

 

Im a new guy here too, been out a few months. Shifting is not gonna be the hard part of any day of driving... Dont pick your first company because they have automatics only. It could cost you a great job opportunity down the road if you cant shift to save your life either. Idk what your cash situation is like, but make sure you actually like this career before buying yourself a custom sleeper truck. You may not be able to handle the job. This job isnt as fun as you think. Least not right off the bat.

After a few weeks on the road, you dont think about shifting anymore. You also dont have to downshift every gear like,in school at every stop, lol.