Possibly going 100% Independent....

This has been a thought that has been on my mind for quite some time now. I have PM'ed some independent on this forum, spoke to some directly at truck stops, & researched as much as I could.

But sometimes, to properly learn something.... I actually have to do it myself!

Last year I paid Mercer just shy of $57,000.00 to find me freight. I had incured a lot of deadhead miles chasing their freight or a few days a week camped out in a truck stop because they don't believe in brokering freight in. Or after they broker it in & take their 25%, there isn't much left for the truck. So O/O's such as myself won't touch the load. Sure, they paid my IFTA taxes, but I think for an extra $57,000.00 it would be something I'd be happy to do!

So it isn't a question of if I go independent, it's a question of when?

I have looked at the steps of applying for my own authority. But I do believe I'm going to contract that process out to OOIDA. They charge a fee, I know. But for the $805.00 they charge, I think it is money well spent to make sure it is all done correctly. Ofcourse that $805.00 includes the MC filing, NM filing, KY filing, & NY filing.

Right now what is holding me back is the fact that I have a lease purchase trailer from Mercer. I am in the process of attempting to get in financed directly so I will no longer have that barrier confining me to Mercer. If I'm not able to finance it, then I will secure a different trailer & give this one back to them.

I have questions about brokers though.....

I have been told that many brokers don't use new authorities. Is this correct? And if so, who are these brokers?

Do they require age limits of trucks? Trailers? If I have to secure a different a trailer, it will be a 99 or newer.

I'm looking at getting myself set up with Mercer, Landstar, CH Robinson, PLS, TQL, & a few others.

Who broker's freight from Landstar? How fast do they pay?

Is there a publication of satisfactory brokers by state? Region? I'm looked at the OOIDA website for such of a publication. But all I could find was a ##### listing such as the report a bad carrier section we have here.

Another question is factoring. Factoring will mostly be needed in the beginning. I've read many of good things about D&S factoring.

If i start factoring with them, do I have to factor every load that I haul for that paticular broker? I think Freight Check said I had to.

 

You were on vacation. Didn't want to disturb you.

 

If I have to secure a different trailer, it probably be a box. They are cheaper then a flatbed.