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Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by reelheavy, Mar 15, 2017.

  1. reelheavy

    reelheavy Light Load Member

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    Mar 15, 2017
    Maryland
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    Greetings all,

    I am 22 year old soon to be college graduate in May 2017. I have no kids, no wife, no real major responsibilities. I am in the process of getting my CDL license and after graduation I plan to go buy my a Peterbilt and go to work for myself. I was thinking about the dump truck route due to the large amount of construction going on and planned for the Greater Washington DC area which is where I reside. But I would rather drive a tractor. My credit is fairly good. I am in the 720 range. I was thinking about buying a used truck in the <$45,000 range and either try to get in running locally like my buddy does for the aggregate companies or look in the owner-operator programs that are offered by companies like Dart or Landstar.

    It would be greatly appreciated if you all can give me some input on my plan as to the things I should look for when buying a truck such as mileage, prices, best combinations, etc. Am I making the right decison to buy used or should I look to buy new or pre owned?

    Any help is good help. I am open to questions, comments, concerns, etc. Thanks
     
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  3. strollinruss

    strollinruss Road Train Member

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    Jun 5, 2012
    Montgomery, TX
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    work for someone else and learn the ropes first. You are welcome to PM me get my number call and I will discuss in length.
     
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  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Credit score means nothing. This is commercial lending.
     
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  5. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Jackson Center Ohio
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    Didn't we have someone else ask a similar question just a few days ago?

    I mean seriously deja Vu much?
     
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  6. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Do you have any (inside) leads on local work...?

    Hard part is finding good local work, buying the truck is easier.....
     
  7. noluck

    noluck Road Train Member

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    greenville,sc
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    Pre owned is used! Stay away from ownership right now. You are not ready!
     
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  8. reelheavy

    reelheavy Light Load Member

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    Mar 15, 2017
    Maryland
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    Yes I have a buddy who hauls for the local aggregate mills and I have met and spoke with the guy he drives for and he has told me whenever I got going he would be willing to take me on. My buddy makes around 3500-4000 weekly doing 2 loads a day on average.
     
  9. reelheavy

    reelheavy Light Load Member

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    Mar 15, 2017
    Maryland
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    What leads you to the conclusion?
     
  10. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Jackson Center Ohio
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    Probably because this question gets asked almost daily on here, and many of them come back later reporting how bad they got screwed, lost everything, have guys in Black trench coats hunting them, went into so much debt that they can't get out, have so many troubles with the trucks with breakdowns that they lost their ###. Then that's not covering the new driver aspects.
     
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  11. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Trailer or tri-axle/quad...?


    Working direct is the way to go. But you gotta start somewhere.. Make sure this guy is reputable. Is he leasing your truck on or brokering you work with your #s.


    It wouldn't hurt to drive one of his trucks for a season... kinda work/study...
     
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