looking for o/o that might be looking for a team driver

First of all, get some experience. Drive as many different kinds of trucks, doing as many different kinds of work as you can until you find a segment of the industry you like, and a truck that will meet the demands of what you want to do with it. Pay attention to how the trucks you drive are set up...what engine, horsepower rating, transmission, rear end gears, tire sizes, wheel base, suspension ratings, maneuverability, ride quality, comfort, reliability, fuel mileage...and make notes about what you like and dislike about each truck that you drive. Keep track of everything...run the truck as though it is your own. Keep track of what repairs are needed and when. How much fuel you burn. What kind of revenue the truck is generating. If it happens in, on, around, or to the truck, write it down...along with what it cost. Every expense.

Once you've worked for a few different outfits, driven a variety of trucks, and have a general idea on what you want to do, find a good company to work for...a company that has both company drivers and O/O's. Work as a company driver for at least a year, so that you know what the revenue will be like, and learn the lanes they run. Most of all, this will let you know how much truck you can afford. No point in buying a truck if you can't make the payments, right? Learn as much as you can...talk to as many O/O's leased to the company as possible...so there are fewer surprises. There will still be things that come up unexpectedly, but your goal is to minimize these.

So now that you've got the experience and have the job, start looking for the truck. Keep in mind, you'll probably need 20% or so down, with enough left over to pay for setting the truck up, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and any other operating expense that pops up. Buy from a 3rd party...don't lease or finance a truck through your employer. You can buy a truck from your employer, but either pay cash or finance the loan elsewhere. Have a mechanic that you trust...unaffiliated with the seller of the truck...look the truck over for you, and have it run on a dyno to make sure everything checks out, and when you are satisfied, sign your life away. Lease the truck back on to where you've been a company driver. There is STILL a lot to learn, and the company will help you out...everything from the HVUT, to the fuel tax reporting, to other compliance issues. Run with them until the truck loan is paid off.

That's as far as I've gotten...still working on paying the truck off. So far, it seems to be working out. The main thing is to find a truck that is suitable for the job you want it to do. You don't buy a chromed out, low riding pete with a 102" sleeper to do log hauling or end dump work, just like you wouldn't buy an R-model Mack day cab to run coast to coast hauling general freight. The truck is a tool...and like any job, it's easier to use the proper tool for the job at hand.

...and chrome don't get ya home.