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New Driver with own authority

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by mkbrower, Oct 27, 2021.

Page 6 of 10
  1. Oct 30, 2021 #51
    Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2017
    Kansas City, MO.
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    Biggest issue is getting a Truck, and that price is gonna be higher at this point I believe. Also don't forget the Trailer and Trying to get one if Dry Van or Ref is gonna be hard and expensive.
     
    Siinman, Oct 30, 2021
    Siinman, Oct 30, 2021
    #51
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  3. Oct 30, 2021 #52
    59EX

    59EX Medium Load Member

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    Jun 27, 2015
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    You're not doing 3000 miles with one truck as a O/O unless you have a dispatcher or work with a company with their own freight. And at that point you're not gonna average $2.87/mile. You are basing everything off of best case scenario.

    To give you an idea, and you should be able to figure this out when you do your own research, historically if you can gross $250K you are doing pretty #### good as a O/O. Then work your cost off that and see how gravy things are.

    It all goes to plan in your own head, but reality is a bit different. Go look at some spot market load boards and try to plan an actual realistic week. You're not going to be knocking out $8600 every week. Not happening.

    You are trying to run before you crawl. Good luck.
     
    59EX, Oct 30, 2021
    59EX, Oct 30, 2021
    #52
    Duane0428 and mkbrower Thank this.
  4. Oct 30, 2021 #53
    scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

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    WRONG. I do 3000 every 7 days. No dispatcher, no dedicated route. Its not hard to run lanes.
     
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    #53
  5. Oct 30, 2021 #54
    59EX

    59EX Medium Load Member

    407
    631
    Jun 27, 2015
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    Every week, in and out with no down time? Never go home either, huh? Good for you.

    There is always gotta be that one guy. FML. The actual POINT was basing your business plan on grossing $8600 week in and week out is foolish.
     
    59EX, Oct 30, 2021
    59EX, Oct 30, 2021
    #54
  7. Oct 30, 2021 #55
    scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

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    Nov 11, 2020
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    Hell no. I work a week and take a week off. I did however do that before I had a family. Its not hard, and when I roll into the driveway, I get 3 emails about loads coming out the same day in the same town. LOL I dont have my kid for thanksgiving, so I may stay out 3 weeks for some extra cash!
     
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    #55
  8. Oct 30, 2021 #56
    Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

    12,782
    132,233
    Nov 24, 2015
    Idaho
    0
    This was my thought too. A good way to learn the lifestyle with equipment he may already have. Although new one ton pickups are 6 months to a year out on delivery, there are plenty good used ones around.
     
    Oxbow, Oct 30, 2021
    Oxbow, Oct 30, 2021
    #56
    larry2903 Thanks this.
  9. Oct 30, 2021 #57
    mkbrower

    mkbrower Bobtail Member

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    Oct 25, 2021
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    I'm still debating with myself "New vs Used" and I have my pros and cons. The thought of a large truck payment is a concern but a major truck issue in the middle of a contract is an even greater concern. I know all trucks can break down, even new ones but chances of having a breakdown is much higher with older trucks. Then there are DOT inspections. I feel that older trucks will be scrutinized more from DOT than newer trucks. I think that is just human nature. We tend to inspect older stuff a lot closer for defects than newer things.

    For me the deciding factor appears to be the return on your investment. A used Freightliner with 450-500K on the odometer is selling for around 95K dollars. These trucks are most likely fleet returns with questionable service records. The only way to foresee a future engine breakdown is to perform an oil analysis but I would assume most dealers and individuals would change the oil prior to putting up for sell. To protect yourself, you would need a repair fund equal to at least a in frame overhaul which would be 30-40K plus and as you said, you would need to set aside a 2k/ month for future maintenance and upkeep.

    A new KW t680 is 160K. With financing at 9% the truck will cost approx. 183k dollars. By the time the truck hits 450K miles, the truck would have generated $1,291,500.00 in revenue at todays freight rates. Even if you look at the bumper to bumper warranty of 1 year (125K miles), by the time you would be responsible for any repair cost, the truck would have generated $358,750 dollars in revenue. Even if you subtract 12k miles dead heading, that is still $325,000 dollars. Those kind of numbers are hard to ignore.
     
    mkbrower, Oct 30, 2021
    mkbrower, Oct 30, 2021
    #57
  10. Oct 30, 2021 #58
    Short Fuse EOD

    Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

    2,771
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    Jul 29, 2015
    Midwest
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    I’ll respect you standing up for yourself. If you do become an owner operator, you will be bullied by the government like never before. Even more so if you go independent!
     
    Short Fuse EOD, Oct 30, 2021
    Short Fuse EOD, Oct 30, 2021
    #58
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  11. Oct 30, 2021 #59
    scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

    1,512
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    Nov 11, 2020
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    LOL WHAT? You talking about DOT? I haven't been hassled by DOT in forever. Look like everything is right with your truck, and they leave you alone.
     
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    scoobertdoo, Oct 30, 2021
    #59
    RedForeman and mkbrower Thank this.
  12. Oct 30, 2021 #60
    mkbrower

    mkbrower Bobtail Member

    28
    35
    Oct 25, 2021
    0
    This was my thoughts at first too, though it was hotshot trucking. Hotshot drivers work just as hard if not harder since most hauls flatbeds but only make about half per mile as semi drivers and new authority costs are the same. I would still be required to abide by DOT rules. In the end, I decided driving a semi was the way to go.
     
    mkbrower, Oct 30, 2021
    mkbrower, Oct 30, 2021
    #60
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