I really need some help

I am switching from company driver to O/O and had a couple of questions.
Is it better to have your own authority or use the company you lease to. Also on those load boards do you supply your own trailer or do they???? Thanks

 

If you're not going to have $7k to $10k on hand AFTER you secure a truck, then you'll need to look at leasing on. These are real figures and fairly conservative.

If you have your own authority you'll need your own trailer for 99% of your options. One's that pay enough anyway.

 

This is conservative and with a truck that has a warranty.

 

If you have to ask... Then your not ready to become a owner operator.

Sure... It's always better to have your own authority. More headaches & paperwork, but if you play the cards right you may make a little money.

Nope.... You don't need a trailer at all. The freight is going to magically appear at the consignee. Then the settlement check will be direct deposited overnight with no factoring service & no 4 month waiting period to get paid...

 

No need to snap at him.

$40k in cash/credit is my diagnosis. An understanding that you will not make ANY money for the first 8-15 months.

 

This forum is supposed to be a place for Junior drivers to ask senior drivers for help and advice. It is a REAL SHAME that it dosent work like that. You get a couple of helpful answers along with a bunch of smart butt commements. I wish when i got into trucking that I knew everything like some folks on here do. They new it all before they started driving never had any questions from day one, I take my hat off to you wow!!!

 

The only part of your q not answered was about the trailer: if you are working loadboards need your own equipment unless it is listed as power only.

To effectively run on your own authority requires reserves for bad months, repairs, fuel and on and on and on. You also need to be deligent in tax fillings and know what they are for each of the states where you are going to operate.

Given your stated experience level you would likely be better to lease onto a company and ease in. The answer is ultimately in your mind and pocket book.

BTW as is typical with forums you will get a wide range of answers and comments to a given question. If you looked in this forum very far you will see this is one of the most asked questions.

 

If you haven't been driving for very long you might want to learn a little more about trucking sa when you ask a question you won't get so many "smart butt" ansawers.
There are so many people in trucking that want to get between you and your money. Yea you can buy a truck sign on with a company and the next thing you know you owe them money.
I have only been out here for twenty two years and always learn new ways someone can take my money. I waited ten years before getting my own truck.

 

Its trucking. No matter what you ask your bound to get a SA answer. Have you used a CB? Just go with it. Helps break the monotony (sp?) We'd all be in Belvue if we didn't stop and laugh every now and then.

 

Even though some people keep up with eachother, it is still pretty anonymous. That anonymity, coupled with the fact that none of us can get toe to toe with eachother means that people will say things that they normally wouldn't dare to say to Big Bubba in person. The fact that he is able to get his questions answered by people that have no stake WHATSOEVER in his success is a modern miracle.

I would take some confort in knowing that we are all able to help eachother a whole lot on this forum. Show me a person that has not dealt with sny remarks in the corner and I'll show you a person that hasn't lived.