How to become something?

I better get rid of my Kenworth then...Ya'think?
I get that all the time...Some guy will tell me that I can't possibly be making money with my W900 because it's not areodynamic and it's too old and must be in the shop all the time.
Neither of those things are the case...I keep more of the money I make because I have no payments and I'll compare my fuel mileage to just about anyones out here.
With the added benefit of not having to drive some plastic slope hooded abortion around all day.

Starting out with a new truck is a recipe for failure unless you have a lot of money set aside to get you through the lean times.
With a paid for truck...If times get tough you can back it up against the fence and wait for things to improve or just take a vacation if you want to.

Why would they care how old the truck is as long as it's in good shape!
My truck is 10 years old and never has a problem at the scales.

The name of the game is to make money, Not just rackin' a ton of miles!....If the youngster can make money with the older (paid for) truck, That's the best way to start out!

There are plenty of ways to make money with a truck without running high miles!
That having been said, I run high miles with my 10 year old KW and it's age never seems to matter.

 

the only person who can tell you to do it or not.. is well... you.

if your going to like it or not.... guess what... only you will be able to tell. (not what others say)

As with the money aspect, its all to do with what works for you, and how well you get along with every-one.
(I had a driver complain I was earning more then double what he got per week, and his been working for the same mob for over 20 years, and me only 3 years going on 4)
Swapped runs of course, as he was in a bad state for money
(kept asking if he could borrow some off other drivers, gave him $1000AUS and my run so he could sort him-self out; all worked out, I now earn a little more with almost the same run, just later at night)

 

Question from newbie, 43 year old one. In attempting to get idea on putting together a career in driving, is there a particular direction that is more coveted, ie tanker, heavy haul, etc.; and any early advice on going in a certian direction?

 

HI everyone, I have questions with an "s" about the right path I should take to get to where I want to be. First off I'm from south Florida and just moved to Nashville, TN.I currently have a Class A permit from FLA& I'm trying 2 enroll into TDI trucking school to help with my license and exp. I already know how to drive but dont have exp on paper. I really have my heart set on becoming a Fuel Hauler(night shift) if anyone has advice it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Yeah, I had a w9 too and made great money. I am also not suggesting he goes and buys a truck off the showroom floor either. A 20 year old truck and a new driver is going to be a challenge! Blackw9 you and I both know he is not going to drive that truck with the finess of an experienced driver and make money. Your not going to tell me that a truck that is 20 years old is even going to come close to something that is designed to run way more fuel effecient and is up to the new emission standards. Your truck is half the age of his and you are an experienced driver. If he needs to put 20,000 grand into it to get it on the road and keep from getting noticed at the scales he is going to need a loan anyway! Now he has a loan on a twenty year old truck and hasn't begun to make money yet, nore even knows how to drive! You are right, the name of the game is to make money! However, the truck needs to move to do that. Unless he is winning prize money at a truck show.

 

Probably not...

Needing to put twenty grand in it is unrealistic unless it's been in the boneyard behind the house for ten years in which case he might as well leave it there...

But if it's in reasonably decent shape and has been taken decent care of there shouldn't be any problems with it if he plans on running local and working his way up to a better truck in a couple of years after getting his feet wet in this one.