Need Some Advice

I would take it one step at a time. If you are interested in driving then go to school and then get a job driving company. Learn the trade and you will know where to get your loads from. You may find you will make more as a company driver and not even want to get into the headache of buying your own.

Normally I would tell someone with a family that driving isn't for them, however where you live is a great advantage to you. Indiana is smack dab in the middle of the freight lanes and there are numerous trucking companies that not only run local but run through there.

Besides the sawmills, farmers and coal mines look into hauling horses. That is also booming in your area.

As for buying your own truck, that is fine if you have $30,000 to put down on one and you also need at least $20,000-30,000 in the bank for fuel and breakdowns, insurance etc... Running a truck is running a business and is a great responsibility (that is the nice way of saying pain in the ###!!!)

Think about your family first and don't jump the gun. You could put some serious hurt on you and your family if you put this much money into something you have no idea about.

Good luck man!

 

I live in Florida so wages down here are much worse than where you are. Unfortunately if you want to make $30,000-$50,000 you have to go over the road usually. You also have to be willing to stay out. On the good side, you live in the middle of the freight lanes and would probably be much easier for you to get home or get by the house more frequently than normal. I used to haul horses and Indiana was a hot spot for racing and hunter jumpers! There are a few horse haulers in your area you may want to check on. Plus like you said there is also dump trailers, farm work, etc... Check out Craigslist and your local newspaper and see what they are hiring for locally.

If you do go with an over the road company and put in your time there is always the option of driving regionally or in your case locally for those companies also.

 

Try the LTL carriers like YRC, UPSF, Old Dominion, Con-Way Freight, and ABF. ABF and con-way have their own truck driving schools as well, although go with ABF if they give you the chance. Usually dump truck and all that heavy hauling they want someone with a little more experience. You DO NOT have to spend a day OTR at all, I never have, always been a local guy.