How to make it as an owner operator

Sounds like you're not really training someone if you're running 5000 miles a week. 5000 miles is not very much between 2 ppl but it is when you're logging on duty while the "trainee" is driving. Or do you just hop in the sleeper and hope they pick it up as they go?

 

We usally run 8hrs per driver and park the truck for 8 hrs. You are right I am working and should be on-duty, but I put it on line 2. I sit on a cooler in the sleeper right behind the driver for the first 7-10 days (I can see his mirrors better over there than in the passenger seat). With the 16 hours in the seat per day that gives the opprotunity for 800 miles a day (16x50) or 5600 per week. Obviously that is in a perfect world and does not happen all the time.
Weeks 4+ we try to have the student do all the trip planning and qualcomm work, and try to get them to drive 9-10 hours a day. There are weeks when I do not drive for 100+hrs at a time, but the truck is still moving.

The DM's are good with the trainers and usally start the truck off with 4000ish miles the first week and then work up to 5000+
If the student is really good or has had previous experieance the DM may run us as a team, which I agree is not a great training, but it happens when the student is experieanced.

 

Good OP. I would say that load boards work well until you establish relationships. Tell the broker what you need to haul the load. You may get hung up on, surely. Don't write that company off as a whole. Try a few different dispatchers. When a I have a steady carrier that is respectful, on time and our lanes match frequently, I have no issue adding a few coins into that carriers pocket. For one, I know you will do the job and do it well. Secondly, I as a broker, can move on to the next task and not fuss over $50/$100. So, yes state the rate, ask if the broker can approve the amount with the shipper (generally if you are empty it works better) and if not, keep plugging away. Good luck all!

 

Probably the best written post i have read on here. As a new carrier /owner operator who has a foreign accent i thoroughly agree with your comments on phone etiquette in dealing with brokers and shippers. Great post and i look forward to learning more about this business from you . regards.

 

Great info. Thanks

 

Stick to your guns Gunzz! Good info! That's not my game but it was good reading.

Did you catch the folks chiming in on miles miles miles? Same old stale song. One cat was in talking bout his uncles booking $2 on the hub..... that's the ticket! Drivers don't seem to get that.... the truck eats and wears out on the hub. Can't change that so you have to KNOW your hub cost and book it that way.

In my case I can't do hub except for maint so I do 30 day / mo daily cost to own then operate. 2 different numbers. This works for me.

FYI: Latest trucker mag has mega m/c's grossing lil over 3k a week and avg length of haul in the upper 600's which translates into $1.51 a billable mile. Driver cost is around .60 and maint at .15 then plates and admin costs .....he's over a buck plus trailer. Margins are thin, mega's net less than .10cpm otr. Any additional profit comes of eq. resale, l/p agreements, FSC etc. ( remember, truck eats off hub, not billable miles , big difference )

What a deal.

JMO

 

keeping to the OP....


What gets me is all the brokers that say, "I load it for this all the time for guys as a back haul!"

I don't care. It's a front haul for me. It's a third leg or a middle of the week leg for me. I might be out for my 3rd day or my 2nd week.

I don't care how many miles I will move it. The less the better. But when I can move 1600 mile freight for more profit money than hauling 200 mile freight, guess what's getting moved.

IE, last week, local stuff was looking to average about $1.80 a running mile. I was able to go out to seattle and back for $2.10 a running mile. I made more profit in less days and was able to go home almost 3 days earlier than planned. The net line on the balance sheet was met. I still think I left money on the table, but this is a marked improvement over what WAS being offered to me in July and August. Most stuff back then offered was $1.10 to 1.30 per mile. Most things for "cheap" for September was at least $1.60 or better. Nothing was booked for less than $2.05.

Give me a real rate. Cheap freight ain't going on my truck.

 

great post,,,,,