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Is this the end for me in trucking?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by gokiddogo, Apr 30, 2023.

Page 2 of 11
  1. Apr 30, 2023 #11
    Blackjack55

    Blackjack55 Light Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2018
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    I want to retire in two years. I've been driving since 1989. It has taken a toll on my health. I used to enjoy my job,now I hate it. The roads will beat you to death. The traffic nightmare. The angry and aggressive drivers.
    The food situation ,no real food just junk. No parking after 5pm.
    Paid parking. Rude drivers.Rude shippers and receivers.porta Johns for drivers who are not allowed to use a proper restroom.
     
    Blackjack55, Apr 30, 2023
    Blackjack55, Apr 30, 2023
    #11
    NightWind, Rctruck87, ducnut and 13 others Thank this.
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  3. Apr 30, 2023 #12
    Kshaw0960

    Kshaw0960 Road Train Member

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    Jun 17, 2018
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    I’m with you OP. I’m 37 and don’t have kids and know what you mean. My exit strategy is to pay off my house and everything I have and max out my retirement every year and hopefully can work an easier part time job until retirement. A friend bought a CNC machine and is killing it. That sounds fun.
     
    Kshaw0960, Apr 30, 2023
    Kshaw0960, Apr 30, 2023
    #12
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  4. Apr 30, 2023 #13
    gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    I have an old cadillac in the garage that needs restored. Could be a winter project. I don't really know what I am doing but figure I can learn it as I go. Something to do.

    1984 sedan deville. I'll edit and add pictures from the phone shortly here.

    I thought I had more pictures of the caddy. It was the best car I've ever owned (money wise). Would be cool to give it a newer engine and trans, and redo the interior. Get it just floating down the road again too.


    20160605_142750.jpg 20181004_152713.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2023
    Reason for edit: Add photos
    gokiddogo, Apr 30, 2023
    gokiddogo, Apr 30, 2023
    #13
    NightWind, Speed_Drums, Vampire and 5 others Thank this.
  5. Apr 30, 2023 #14
    Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    Nov 24, 2015
    Idaho
    0
    I have a neighbor that is a welder and has, as well as sells CNC machines. He does well, but being stuck in the same building, doing essentially the same thing, might become boring after a while, especially having had the freedom of being on the road.
     
    Oxbow, Apr 30, 2023
    Oxbow, Apr 30, 2023
    #14
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  7. Apr 30, 2023 #15
    Short Fuse EOD

    Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

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    Jul 29, 2015
    Midwest
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    @gokiddogo This is a real short one. I know you are tied with your customer. It’s hard to let go when you know you have been doing right for them. You feel guilty for talking about stepping away and they get hassled by an amateur. -But they will be ok. It’s just business. You have a history of serving in transport. It’s part of you. I don’t think you’re done. I believe it’s time for you to swap trailers and go open deck. A new adventure awaits. Fortuna Faviet Fortibus my friend.
     
    Short Fuse EOD, Apr 30, 2023
    Short Fuse EOD, Apr 30, 2023
    #15
    NightWind, Speed_Drums, Vampire and 9 others Thank this.
  8. Apr 30, 2023 #16
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Orion's Belt
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    11axle lowbed…….lol
     
    Cat sdp, Apr 30, 2023
    Cat sdp, Apr 30, 2023
    #16
    PPLC, Diesel Dave and gokiddogo Thank this.
  9. Apr 30, 2023 #17
    BoostedTeg

    BoostedTeg Road Train Member

    1,759
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    Jun 2, 2008
    Boise ID
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    I recently did something similar when my second daughter was born. Sold my truck and trailer and got a local job home every day before 5 and off all weekends and holidays. After 8 years as being an O/O it was kinda hard at first going back to being an employee but now I wouldn’t change it for anything.
     
    BoostedTeg, Apr 30, 2023
    BoostedTeg, Apr 30, 2023
    #17
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  10. Apr 30, 2023 #18
    gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2012
    Ontario Canada
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    I have little to no interest in open deck work. It is the core concept of existing in truck stops and not much of a home life and in general the BS that is constantly ever increasing we have to deal with every day and I am just done with all of it. I really feel like if I take the road where I have 5, 10, 20, however many trucks - I will again be looking for an exit, which will be much more difficult if I have a bunch of people depending on me. The same reasons will be telling me this is not something to continue on with, more emission garbage, less reliability, insurance will only increase, drivers will come and go, equipment itself you are counting by 100,000 at a time now. It is building a house of cards and I just really don't see it as a smart move for me. If it all blows up, or if I have an accident when I am age 45 or for health reasons can't drive anymore then what? I am itching to have more skill set beyond trucking. I have mastered what I like to haul, refrigerated, and it just really feels like there is no way up from here.

    If I do totally wrap it up, I am going to smoke a 6 paper joint (for the first time ever). I also intend to stay active on this forum, good folks and good conversations here.
     
    gokiddogo, Apr 30, 2023
    gokiddogo, Apr 30, 2023
    #18
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  11. Apr 30, 2023 #19
    D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

    21,511
    146,419
    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
    0
    It sounds like your mind is made up.. Life is to short to do something you dont wanna do... Something that always stuck with me from an old timer that was helping me out on 1 of my first loads on my own.. He told me when you stop having fun its time to get out ... Its something i always keep in the back of my mind.
     
    D.Tibbitt, Apr 30, 2023
    D.Tibbitt, Apr 30, 2023
    #19
    larry2903, NightWind, Cattleman84 and 9 others Thank this.
  12. Apr 30, 2023 #20
    Mattflat362

    Mattflat362 Road Train Member

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    Feb 18, 2015
    Avon Lake, Ohio
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    ". He told me when you stop having fun its time to get out ..."

    Does that include countries!? LOL.
     
    Mattflat362, Apr 30, 2023
    Mattflat362, Apr 30, 2023
    #20
    NightWind, Vampire, RedForeman and 3 others Thank this.
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