Looking for opinions

Don't quit your real job because .30 cpm fuel surcharge is NOT enough. Especially on loaded miles only.

 

dont understand the "buy back" part. means essentially its a lease purchase program? if so, without the truck payments its hard to have an informed opinion. if the interest rate is ok, then it seems like a no brainer to me. a set fuel surcharge is a bit less than desirable, but 60% and they pay for everything sounds fair. you know the job already. the downside is that your social security payments will double, you will be paying both sides as a self employed person. you also dont mention medical benefits. if you have them now, and wont as self employed, then it may not be a good deal. if you can pay into and receive their medical benefit rates, and its not a tremendous difference, then its a non issue.

 

don't forget you get to pay for all maint. and repairs on a USED truck.

 

Depends mainly on what the line haul is. 60 % of nothing is nothing.What about accessorial charges ? Do you get all or a % ? Not sure of the terms you use, but believe me, they are doing the thing that will make THEM the most money. These companies do not make you an O/O to make you rich, they do it to make the company a bigger profit.
Also, health insurance has gotten astonomical. Having to pay it for yourself can be very expensive.

 

I gotta be honest. For years, I've wanted to try the O/O thing. But at 52, kids in college and the economy in a perpetual state of "HUH??", I've decided to just stick to company positions. But that's just me.

But jbatmick makes some outstanding points. Many more questions to be asked then have been answered by the original post.

 

A question to ask is: if they don't have freight for you to haul can you find your own? They probably don't pay out layover or detention to a (lease purchase) o/o. You ain't movein you ain't makein money. From everything i've heard most companies put the company drivers first.

Their are alot more things to consider.

 

Friend in Hinesville Ga did that exact same thing,

and did very well.

Yes, it was the same company.

 

The bedbuggers I've talked to were doing real well as O/O's. Is that what you will be doing with United?
Go for it. Probably find a good fuel efficient tractor in that price range. Don't need a huge engine for that operation. Might find a good used fleet tractor with APU, such as Stevens Transport, Melton Truck Lines, TransAm. Best wishes on your new venture.

 

Go for it kid!

You'll love being an O/O.

My taxes for last quarter were less than 10% combined for state and fed.

I got an 09 Columbia, and its huge. I have had previously Volvo's and they are small, and a Prostar, and it was ok, except for its' constant mechanical problems. I would go Freightliner, its like an old Ford pick up truck that never quits running. Its a bit plain, not flashy, but it still gets the job done.

My experience with meeting people in the moving industry is, they sometimes do sit for an extended period of time. If that may happen to you, consider your comfort level. And you mentioned your wife also driving with you, then a bigger roomier truck is something I would consider buying first.

Volvo 770's are nice, that came to mind, as a larger interior truck.

30 cpm is a low fuel surcharge, but if you can keep your mpg high, you'll find it an ok amount. Not the greatest, but if you get 8 mpg, its $2.40 knocked off the price of a gal of fuel.

oooh, one question, are they going to charge you interest on your loan amount? If so, is it reasonable or excessive?

In my opinion, there are so many thousands and thousands of used trucks sitting out here now, its hard to decide. Just be careful and take your time and make a wise choice.

Good luck to you, and have some fun while your out here.