Owner Operators, who’s in and who’s out? (poll)

If I were younger or if I could learn to haul heavy equipment or cars on someone else's dime that's what I would start doing tomorrow. I've said for years that if the spot market dries up bad enough that's what I'll do. It hasn't happened yet.

 

Well said

 

It took my first couple years to figure that out. And it was a hard expensive lesson.

 

It’s not all roses and sunshine. The pay is bigger, but so are the bills.

 

I live in a forestry heavy region and thats kinda how I feel about logging. I wish I learned it on someone elses dime earlier on. Too little too late for me now, at least as an o/o. If my regional roll-tite deal takes a crap, Ill sell my equipment, close up shop, and go learn how to haul logs in a company truck. Or, run equipment. Or, put a driver in my truck to do whatever and quietly dispatch it from my phone in a mill pickup while staring at something for $35/hr to make sure it doesnt catch fire

 

I’d like to get a forestry mulcher and clear power lines for the power company. Spending all day grinding up trees sounds relaxing

 

Absolutely! Call me crazy, but ill bet that nets a guy more than a o/o whos miserable, chasing lousy freight and wont adapt a way out.

What I've learned is those who are ultimately successful in trucking focus on today while being mindful of tomorrow, and that the guys who think in a box, stay in a box. No sense #####ing about rates or broker carrier imbalance. If it isn't working, take action. Move on, carry on.

 

a bobcat mounted drum mulcher starts at $175 and hour. So I’d say so

 

Freind of mine did that for a while. It’s good money, but beats equipment up super quick. He said he could really feel it in his back by the end of every day too.

 

Trucking ain’t exactly easy on a back either