I need answers to many questions

Brickman got it right most have. But being bored right now let me see if I can help.
First off most companies that will finance usually want minimum of $2500 down. Although a few will go for your $1000 provided you have decent credit like Freightliner's DYOB Drive Your Own Business. But then you pay for lots of extras that you might or might not really want.
Most drivers choose to have the insurance thru the company they are leased to. Some companies give a nice discount on the premium and some even pay part or all of it thats something you would have to research.
As far as fuel economy goes alot of it has to due with your driving habits as much as it does the trucks aerodynamics. Personal experience also is that 1 driver can drive 2 identical trucks and 1 will get better fuel economy than the other so part of it is a crap shoot. As far as best economy off the line right now I believe the new detroit engine will get 7+ off show room floor and suppose to get up to 10 when broken in. Knowing you dont have that kind of money. I would recommend going with a used truck sticking with the AERO designes columbia or century, volvo 686 etc, petes 787 International 9900I without the nose. If running van/reefer condo flatbed midroof. Engines are personal preference stay away from CAt though. High Horsepower= bad fuel as a rule. You don't want low horepower either cause then truck has to work harder to pull even a low grade. I would suggest 430-470 rating. and gears in the 3.7 to 3.8 range. A larger transmission also helps like a 13 or larger. Remember keeping your RPM's low save fuel. If you go with a company that limits trucks top speed also important to change the engine parameters not just top speed. What good is a truck that can only do 65 in 8th gear.
As far as a biz name goes 3 real options on that one and trains of thought. 1. Incorporate in a state that has no state income tax. This saves you from filing corporate income taxes in home state. But you would still have to do a personal return in your state. 2. Run it as no biz. Not smart end up paying more in taxes. 3. What I do is a DBA. Basically you call the IRS(not sure if I can post number so I wont) tell them you need a biz tax id number. Answer a few questions and they will issue it to you over the phone follwed by a letter with the number also. This number you use for EIN when you lease on to a company and also for taxes. My company is MY NAME DBA COMPANY NAME. You can really have fun with a company name. Pick something that is important to you like you wife kids car hobby and play with it till you get something good like Luv n u transport. Don't matter some even just do like your name DBA your name trucking.
Now as far as making money thats up to you. You need to find a company that wont nickle and dime you to death. Pays on time, good miles. Don't spend lots of money fixing your truck up with luxury items. I have known many a O/O that goes belly up buying lights, hardwood floors, plasma tv's, chroming out everything in sight, DONT DO it the truck earns the same whether its factory original or its all decked out. And if you feel the need to do improvements. Save up then do them. I met a England driver one time at a flying hook in barstow. He was going off the deep end that he hadn't made a dime in 3 months. Got talking to him and come to find out that he ran up 30K in truck bills putting in hardwood floors, wood trim dash, chromed anything and everything. And 500 chicken Lights and he's complaining hes not earning anything. He is earning money but the truck is getting it all.
Sounds like if you remember the truck works for you and you for the truck. Because you will need repairs and so forth. Then you can make it. Just like learning to walk its one foot in front of the other.

Now that I answered your questions, let me play devils advocate here. I don't mean to scare you out of it but rather give you more insight.
Figure out your bills on owning a truck. These are currently mine but it will give you an idea of what the profit loss potential is,
Trk Payment $400/ wk
Insurance $70/wk
Taxes .01/mi in addition to what i am paying at pump.
Fuel $1800/wk avg 3000 mi. 6.4 mpg on my truck avg. # 3.79/ gal
repairs fund .10/mi or about 300/ week this covers repairs and money to replace equipement
So whenits all said and done I have an approximate outlay of $2600/week. 3000 miles averaging $1.34/ mi = $4000/ week in income. or about $1400/ week profit.
Now as a company driver you would make something between .34 and .38/ mile That means basically between 1000 and 1100 per week. So is it worth the headaches for the little you gain?

 

That would depend on what your local regulations are. That you would have to find out from the county or city. Your state may have certain regulations on business set ups too, including a certain order you need to do things in.

 

Business licience is not required unless you open a biz in your town. Operating a truck you will not have to collect taxes or anything else. Most companies will either pay you or pay your company. If you pay the company then the company pays you then biz expences will account easier. Basically any thing that comes from the Biz account will be a deduction of one type or another. Salary, Repairs, ETC ETC. As far as Landstar you hear alot of both sides from them. Some say good some say bad. I have hauled their freight although not leased to them and it always seems to be cheap.
Invist in a good PC with mapping, GPS log book function and Financial software to keep track of your money and future. Good Luck to you in the future. I am out of here resigning my life on this board.