Owner Operator Mistakes and Do-Overs

As O/O in the business, like other entrepreneur beginnings I would like any and all to discuss some things were not financially rewards or errors they made in the beginning or even current day of running their own truck or small fleet. Runs to be avoided, lanes not to follow, fuel usage mistakes etc. Thanks to all for input!

 

I had all recaps on the truck and trailer when I bought them. Last winter, I blew a trailer tire and spent $1100 replacing an axle set of 4 on the trailer with matched recaps.

I could have spent another $800 and put on an axle set of drives and moved those drives back to my trailer instead and accomplished the same goal instead of having to now buy TWO sets of tires.

 

Worst thing I ever did was buy my truck brand new in '06 when I could of spent about $20,000 and had a pretty much rebuilt truck that I knew inside and out. For about the first 3-4 years of owning my '06 the economy, engine issues, and payments about put me under. I spent a lot of money to make the new truck perform better than the old one did while getting the same MPG. After that experience I will never buy another brand new truck...all my trucks will either be gliders or keep rebuilding my current ride.

 

Purchased my first truck in 1980. Got my authority in 1994. Do you want to know in general or alphabetically.

 

Don't go to trucking based on truck model/make/ride/just wana travel the country/I miss my family/truck payment more than $1000 PM/bad driving record/it is your hobby / drive your semi truck the same way you drive your pickup/like to drink or smoke a doobie once in a while/can't get your hands dirty/have no sense of directions/
must stop every time I see a Casino/paranoia or any mental disability/ too shy/too aggressive/ have sleep disorder/Have to eat or squat or wee wee every two hours/have no sense of reality when arguing with spouse (I'm always Right)/Can't maintain my equipment Now I'll do it later or when ever I can Afford it/I have to take this cheap load because it will get me home/call a dealer or get a wrecker every time you need to change a light bulb/Like to show off your strength and tell it like it is in the wrong place @ wrong time with truck stop camera's recording your every move/Like to voice your opinion to a stranger you just met in the parking lot especially to a driver that works for the same Canoe Club you are lease to/Brag about your business/screwing others for your own convenience like parking in the wrong place or cutting some one off or anything that may cause some hate and discontent/& As Flying J would say "As a courtesy to your fellow drivers" I will leave you now to figure out the rest of the story

 

Lease on to crst enuf said

 

Bigdad hope your not serious

 

I pissarded 200,000.00 in the wind. Took a chance. Almost starved to death. Ramin noodles kept me alive. PB&J when I could afford it. I eat when and where I want, I never back track. I look good, Women like me. I lock my truck and slip into a car sometimes. It's my duty. If they are not happy, we have a problem.

 

3808, 18, 40 rears. You have a horse. Some little black buggy. I play for keeps.

 

I didn't run over them, Shut a 70' truck off ain't that easy. Bugs, are a problem, Buggies are worse. Calgon take me away. The & tho don't get it Jethro, I have a damsel of my own. She Rocks! She is called MRS. I'm Mister. She has many moving parts. Light your lantern, Thanks the Cat needs to cool down.