New Kenworth w900? Worth it?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by navitatla, Oct 9, 2015.

  1. navitatla

    navitatla Bobtail Member

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    Sep 20, 2012
    Calgary
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    Hey guys I've been driving with the same company for 3 years now and I feel burnt out. When the times were good our contract drivers were grossing 8k a month but working like dogs. Working until your out of hours and then reset. If you don't work like a dog you average 6k gross. Oh and no benefits, no pension plan, no waiting etc etc. Times are slow now ( based in Alberta, Calgary) and your lucky if your gross 7k.
    It's a company run by a family, probably about 35 trucks & they only have one owner operator out of Winnipeg, the rest of the came on and left. A lot of time wasting (preloading for other drivers, unloading trailers loaded by others, running erands etc. If you want to install a microwave or a cooler in the truck they expect the drivers to pay. Now they hired too many drivers and not enough work. Anyways for the amount of hours I spend on the road I think I get peanuts, I'm probably averaging less then $20. :( They keep telling me owner operators make the same amount of money and that its not worth getting your own truck. That really kills my motivation to work I feel like I should be netting at least 10k a month living on the road sacrificing your health, food, social life etc Anyways I am ready to move on now and am seriously thinking of buying my own truck and treating myself well with a Kenworth w900. Are there any owner operators with new units here netting good money hauling dry bulk? This company does pneumatics and hoppers. I haven't touched the hoppers but am looking for other companies that do pull them and treat there drivers right. What are the right questions you would ask potential companies before leasing on to them guys? I'm looking at companies in Saskatchewan that also run the US. Words of encouragement would be nice :)
     
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  3. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    If you're a slacker, you average $6k a month or $1500/week? I believe that's pretty darn good, driver.
     
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  4. navitatla

    navitatla Bobtail Member

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    Sep 20, 2012
    Calgary
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    6k a month living on the road? 5k after taxes actually. Don't local drivers pull around 5k? And get to be home at the end of the night.
     
  5. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    That's the slacker rate. $1500/week for a slacker is great pay. Forgive me for not being in awe of someone who goes home every night. It's not a selling point to me.
     
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  6. Sneakerfix

    Sneakerfix Heavy Load Member

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    Not for him he is making about 4500 a month if he is paid 6k CDN
     
  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    The Canadian dollar dropped? Back when I used to run Canada, it was actually higher than the US.

    Even so, $1125 still wouldn't be bad for a slacker.
     
  8. Sneakerfix

    Sneakerfix Heavy Load Member

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    Yea it did I found that our talking to a h&r driver said he wasn't making any money
     
  9. Prom Night Dumpster Baby

    Prom Night Dumpster Baby Medium Load Member

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    Jan 12, 2012
    Bug Tussle, TN
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    How much Canuck bucks you got saved up?

    Find you a good company first unless you get own authority.

    Freight's slow right now. Not exactly words of encouragement.
     
    navitatla Thanks this.
  10. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    If you intend to purchase a new Kenworth W900, be prepared to spend over $160,000. A dealer near me has a W900L Icon series for sale at $205,000.
     
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  11. KB3MMX

    KB3MMX Road Train Member

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    Some dealers are raping on those ICONs. Terrible!!
    Look around, you can find them in the 160-170 range, they sure are pretty too.
     
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