Instant O/O and Load boards

Did you make it to the play?

 

Good for you. Lots of things more important than trucking. That play was one of them.

 

I have to go wash my truck. No wait I already did that today. Good-night Pharm

 

I ran from fernley to chino, then DH to las vegas for a load going to newark, ca. which is about 30 minutes from my house. Would have been empty on thurs nightm but they closed at 5 pm (was told 8pm), so went back friday morn to del. Was going to get a load on friday, but got a lot of "business" stuff to take care of so I took the weekend off at home, I am tryingt to dispatch myself so I am home on the weekends.

The lettering on the side of my truck is a mirror-chrome type of lettering it looks pretty cool. the font is called aero-extened. signspecialist has a simple sign maker for your DOT lettering, which is what I used.

Looks like your doin well! Did not have any issues other than the heater not working the whole way up to reno. Finally remembered the valves that run into the heaters in the cab and the sleeper!! Works now! However, I am hesitant to pre-plan loads because I am worried about something happeing with the tractor since Its new to me and It usually takes a few weeks (as you know) to get all of the kinks out!

I also need a truck wash can someone lend me a few bucks! LOL!
My tractor wheels need some serious polishing!!!!

 

Check the used truck places and truck repair places for a cheap headache rack until you get a quality one. When I lived in Fontana, CA, there were many near where I used to live (just off Valley Blvd). If you get down that way, pull up and down Valley and stop at every place. You can pick em up for around $600ish. Good that you got tool boxes on your split though.

 

Here is my rough startup costs give or take $200.


DOT authority- $300
Drug test – $150
Blanket service of process (part of dot requirement)- free with OOIDA membership ($45 year).
All Insurance $2000 ($ 700 down, plus 1 month during setup)
97 freight- 6000 down (14,900 total), 12 months of $1,000
Trailer- 10,799
Initial fuel -$450 (purchased little fuel when bought truck then filled up before leaving for first load)
CA authority ($100)- won’t have to renew yearly since I have a dot number and UCR reg.
CHP bit program $620 – ( $270 year after first year) required to have CA operating authority.
4 new batteries + related parts-$600 (had 3 but installed fourth for inverter).
Inverter $220
Trailer equipment (straps, binders, chains, etc.) $400
Tarps (8 foot drop, edge protectors, bungees, etc.) $921
King pin lock $110
Electronics $500 (CB, stereo, GPS, parts, already have Sirius just needed another car kit)
Other parts and stuff $600 (spare belts, screws, cleaning stuff, spare oil, spare, anti-freeze, tools, load boards, etc.)
Already have laptop.

Total of around $24000.

Money came from:

9000 cash from 2 in-laws (must be paid back)
12000 1 credit card (now maxed) low rate
3000 from another credit card (high rate but has lot of room for big emergency)

I am going to try and dump as much cash into the low rate credit card to get it down for the major emergency. The in-laws have to be paid back but there is not a specific schedule.

Set monthly expenses are:

Truck payment – 1000
Insurance (includes cargo)- 1500 month, truck insurance is actually around 1000 a month but progressive makes you pay it over 5 months.
Load boards- 135- right now I floating between 2 but will narrow it down to one once I figure which is the best. (Internet truckstop, transcore 360).
CC payments – 250
CA regs- 180
Wifi service- ????


thoughts:

If I had 2 years recent (some times less) experience my truck insurance would likely be close to half (haven’t drive since 2000). If you’re looking, progressive will insure everyone, you may only get 500 mile radius like me.

I was originally intending to rent a trailer, but because of my stinky credit I could not rent.

I choose flatbed work because of easy loading and unloading, when DH fuel mileage should be higher than with a box van, my tractor is a flattop (aerodynamics), I like physical work, in my research flatbed loads with tarping are paying the best (other than refer). I have never done flatbed work before, I have been walking around truck stops looking at the other flatbeds and noting how they load their freight and talking with some that will talk.

(this is here because my son walked up as I was typing and wanted a smiley face!)

I am using a factoring company that charges 5%, I get the funds within 48 hrs after they receive them, they will then direct deposit into my checking account the money. This is only temporary until I get out of the red and back into the black.

I am also saving on faxing at truck stops as I use an online fax company. I have the brokers fax the paperwork to my online fax number, the fax company converts it to an image (jpeg,etc.) I then use Microsoft paint (free in windows) to insert a signature on the page, then online fax it back to them. I am going to get small printer to keep in the truck cause I will need to print it out to send the paperwork to the factoring company if I cant make it home.

I am using the Wifi services at truck stops to fax and get loads. I am going to sign up for one of the year internet service. Anyone know which Wifi company is in at the most truck stops?

any criticisms or comments are greatly appreciated!!

 

Well I finally got the CB working, I had it installed but it was not receiving anything, So I just ran a new antenna wire (Frt. centuries wire are built in.) and it works now, But I forgot the channel assignment. I remember 19 was for west and east, and I think 17 was for north and south, but insn't I-5 on a separate channel as well as some other parts of the country??? would someone please enlighten me! thanks!

 

Pharm,

Thanks a million for keeping this post alive. You are doing exactly what my ultimate goal is. I admire your determination and wish you success.

I finally tested with DMV this past Wed. Got my CDL in hand and its a nice feeling. The bummer part is I miss driving...and I've only driven in school.

DMV went well...I was stressing the curve back, but I nailed it on the first try. Funny thing is, my down shifts were good while in school, but on DMV day I could not get into 7th for the life of me. I skipped it and went to 6th each time.

Be safe.

R/

Frat