Owner/Operators at Roehl

I don't mind sharing what I've learned. Maybe I can keep others from hitting some of the bone jarring potholes I've hit.

 

Yea, that's fine. I choose my loads based on what I need. Like I won't run anything if the loaded miles aren't at least double the empty. Took a few times for my "business advisor" aka dispatcher lol to understand this but it's been smooth sailing since. I'm on curtainside by the way, so there's always something out there.
As to your question earlier about info, call and talk to Jeff in leasing and he can email you all the info you need on requirements and qualifications.

 

Please watch how you respond-"man". Don't assume that everyone on this board is male. Program was fair when I started almost 4 years ago but started to detorate in the last year. Decrease miles, short hauls, more micro managing, no choice in loads. Started feeling more like a company driver paying all the bills. Here's the load-no other options available. Trying to get by with 2000-2500 a week. Hard to maintain a business on those miles. Fleet managers were constantly being changed on my board. Just got a FM fairly trained then they got resigned to a company board. Please do read what has been written. The Good, The Bad thread has been going since Dec 2010. 4 years of info and you might see the direction the program has gone.

 

I am a flatbed lease O/O with ROEHL for last 2.5 years. Did about 4 years as company driver before jumping over to O/O. I am also a trainer.
So far it has been good, with no complaints. My FM is really good and works with me very well. I understand that sometimes there are simply not many loads available, so I do not get bent out of shape if I get a crappy load every once in a while. I have only turned down a couple loads.
With my truck payment, my income is only about 8k more per year than I made as company driver. That is driving national and staying out for atleast 30 days at a time. I run about 120k miles per year and drive about 43 weeks per year, which comes out to about 2800 miles per week average.
As others have stated, there is a large thread on this very subject. However, I would also suggest you talk to as many O/O in person as you can.
I read thru this board and by the negative posts I thought that the ROEHL Lease program was horrible. But once I spoke face to face with a couple dozen ROEHL O/O I came to a different conclusion.
I would recommend you spend atleast 1 year discussing the idea with other ROEHL O/O drivers before you decide.

 

Owner operators who are also trainers have a source of income that regular o/o's don't have. It's a little hard to compare apples and oranges.

 

I agree with Preacher Man. The trainers have always gotten specialized treatment in loads so that the student can get experience in the short time they are with a trainer. Also the flatbed side has 2 ways of pay-mileage and percent. Van and refer don't get the option for percent.
If you think you are going to make way more as an O/O than a company driver you are mistaken. Those of us who have chosen to be O/O do it for many reasons and it isn't always all about money. It is the independence as a business owner. Making your own decisions based on what you want and need in life. It can be the pits. Example: I have been down not running and in the shop for 1.5 weeks now. An injector failed and needed a full 6 pack replacement. I kept telling them there was something else wrong with the truck. But what do I know as a gal even though I have owned and driven the truck for 3.5 years (5 years total as O/O, 9 years driving). Turbo gauge was not functioning properly. As it turns out EGR cooler had a small leak that contaminated the DPF filter. Also the exhaust manifold has to be replaced because bolts broke off taking the manifold off. I'm out $1200 in lost wage with dropped load, recovery fee and motel for the first week. Got a rental car (another $200) and came home here for the 2nd week (cheaper than a motel room and more comfortable). All parts were covered by Volvo. However, I am still having to cover the labor which will be more than the parts plus the $1400 I'm already out. Don't know what the labor will end up being but I'm figuring another $1500. I have savings that I might have to dig into. It is stuff like this that will put you under quickly. There is a lot more to being an O/O than just the driving. Talk and really listen to what the O/Os say. I'm with Schneider choice board now after being with Roehl for 3.5 years. I was able to book 3 loads for after Thanksgiving to get me going again. Sounds like the truck will be ready Wed. Looks like I'll be running over the holidays. My question to you is could you sustain down time and repairs like this with a weekly truck note and household bills? Some food for thought.

 

Looks like Jeff might not be doing the leasing much longer. Wisconsin Job Service has a job listing for Roehl. They are looking for someone to fill a new position as a General Manager for Roehl Leasing. "Roehl Leasing is hiring a General Manager to oversee equipment leases and financing for Roehl Transport's owner-operator group. The General Manager is responsible for developing and managing the lease-purchase program for Roehl Transport's owner-operators." Things are a changing.