Question for Experienced O/O

Can you get that rate as an independent o/o working Brokers?

 

Somethig nobody touched yet. Stress level.

Driving Truck is not peaches and roses. It is a VERY Stressful job.

You will have Brokers, dispatchers if working for a Company yelling at you to hurry do not be late, Smokies watching your every move, along with the DOT. You'll have Bone Heads in cars trying to commit suecid with dare devil driving.

Years ago, I met an O/O and ran with him for a spell.. Year later I ran across him again. Just got out of the Hospital after having a Heart Attack and his truck going through a guy House.

 

Well it would have to be the right broker. And you are probably never going to get that hauling dry freight long haul. There is just way too much competition out there with vans looking to get someplace else for fuel and toll money. You really have to learn some kind of skill other than truck driving, Like Burky and his pneumatic dry bulk trailers. Or something like what Mack does with the LTL work.

The only small guys I know who are making any money in dry freight are the guys with a couple of trucks, 4 or 5 trailers, and their own forklift and a building with a small dock. If you have some way of transferring freight and some storage space (eVen if it is only storage trailers) you can make some money.

 

My advice is this,while I know you can gross 4000 a week and clear almost 2000,I just came off a job that i did those figures on,with a dry 53 van. The owner of the truck paid me, 900 to 1100 and he made 700 to 800. That was after fuel and no problems like tires ,breakdowns etc. If I were you,check around where you live at sand and gravel places and especially asphault plants and construction jobs that are state run, get the inf,buy yourself a good used dumptrailer and tractor,or dump truck,contract it on to the state or city where you live or a sand and gravel company. You can make anywhere between 45 to 75 an hour,and use very little fuel. i have alot of friends that have run dumps and made very good money and have multiple trucks now. It isn't as hard to do that work and fun and not much stress,alot easier to catch up on,also in winter you can contract to plow highways,exit ramps,or haul salt,,they stockpile alot of salt every year before winter. Single state registration ia alot cheaper and you don't need all kinds of authority,and above all half the insurance cost as versus multi state rights and your own authority. Get out to these dump drivers and talk to them. I used to haul diesel and gas contaminated dirt for mobil oil at 50.00 a ton from R.I to ohio,and steel coils back to ct. in a dump trailer,very good money,truck was leased to Laidlaw at the time. talk to these guys with this type of business,maybe you'll strike a living like your looking for. PLease let us know how you are doing.

 

One more thing,the comrades that drive dump trucks are a little like the old days,they tend to stick together more and help each other more,while they are in stiff competition when they are getting paid by the load,you will surely find many that stick together and will help you help yourself, they seem to take care of their own,if you are a good Joe,they will recipricate right back. Not many truckers are like that today,sorry to say,but true.

 

Please re-think your thoughts of this move.... i would never encourage anyone to get into this .... never. to much BS, .... and stress.... jeeeeeze.
I would try a move, in the same line of work your in now,
"you will be sorry if you come out here".... its cold....and getting colder.
I own my own stuff, and it is just about to do me in, money wise, and sanity wise.
If you could land a "union position" somewhere , that would be the best in my opinion{Teamsters}... but its a long road to get to where you want.
i know of a pretty good union position, that will probably hire you, but i wont post it here.

I have never understood why people hate the unions so much... "you get the best pay in the industry" the best retirement" the best of everything,

But just mention "union" and people want to start shooting at you, and why????

Why in helll would you want the "BEST".... ? NEVER UNDERSTOOD......