ready to buy a truck,get started.need advice

I absolutely wouldn't do it unless you have $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank. Expecting $1000 a week yes is unreasonable. Some weeks you could be $1000 in the hole! Keep in mind too those wheels are going to have to turn so hometime will be non-existent! I don't recommend it with a wife and brady bunch. My wife and I ran team and would stay out for 3-4 months at a time to make it work. Why not try running as a company driver first, keep track of everything you do as if you were running owner op and see how you do. If you were a single man my answer maybe slightly different, but you kind of have a lot to lose here.

 

The fastest way to make a million dollars in the truckin business is to start with two!

If you want to go truckin, get one some one else'es truck, let them foot the bills, cut your teeth and learn the business on their dime.

 

I don't think you or anyone else is a fool for thinking about it. One of the greatest things about our great country is that every individual can do something like this.

I never post anything with the hope of discouraging a person from trying to be his or her own boss. I guess I need to start saying that.

I am certain that anyone considering purchasing their own equipment has seen and considered the positive aspects of the situation. My only goal is to be certain they consider the negative aspects and the risk involved. I have personally been educated, in the school of hard knocks, on these points.

This is my message from another post:

First I will share with you something that many overlook when getting into this or any other business. If you have only planned for success you have missed a big part of the planning process. If you have only looked at reward and not weighed the risks involved you have missed a big part of the planning process.

In aviation, you have a plan and a checklist for almost every conceivable emergency. You have procedures for engine out or fire while in-flight. This insures the most successful outcome for a bad situation. It should be no different in business and most other things in life. If you wait until you are in trouble to make a plan, the outcome is not likely to be favorable.

You need to calculate your COST OF OPERATION in CPM (Cents Per Mile). You need to estimate miles and revenue low and costs high. If you can’t make it work like this you are not likely to succeed. Have a Plan B and a Plan C.

Know how much you are willing to lose. Are you willing to loose your personal vehicle to make the truck payments? Will you give up the truck, your vehicle, your house or even your family? Everything is at risk if you ride the sinking ship to the bottom. Trust me, I am speaking from personal experience with no plan in place. Have an exit strategy. Know when to utilize the exit plan. Know how much you will lose if you do utilize it.

If you are well informed and aware of the risks as well as the rewards, then go for it! Many start with little capital. Your chance of success is directly proportionate to your available capital.