should an O/O get their own authority?

I"m completely with Turbo on this one. Very few,I repeat very few owner operators know everything,give the man credit for that man asking questions, if he has been an owner operator with a lease purchase deal,for 3 yrs,he must have done a good job at it. most don't last a year. There is so much more to know out there on your own,as far as that guys comments,running a garage is nothing like running your own truck with your own authority. There are many different variables out there that can't compare to just satisfying customers and putting a sign on the wall with your work rates on it, and get paid,for what you do,or keep the vehicle. Nothing to do with trucking business of doing it all by yourself hoping to be paid by the broker on time,if at all. I say Keep asking questions and keep on trucking. Look in your travels for the really sucessful owner opts out there and what thaey haul and brokers they use. some of these guys will steer you straight. good luck out there. I have lived everything you described,pay every other week thats good enough to talk about,other week like burger pay.

 

At the fuel prices today,I would rethink your thoughts alot. While with your own rights you will do better as far as mileage rates but thats about all the good things. If you get on with some one like forward air,fed ex,ups,estes.,some pay your 2nd or renewed permits,insurance and most important ,have a fiuel discount program of only about 1.25 a gallon,this alone makes up for the loss you would have if leasing on instead of brokering to them,especially on fuel cost,also some of these companies pay your tolls for you. You have to get the contract and estimated mileage and revenue and compare that to all your benifits and cost on a per mile basis on all your expenses and maintenance,write it all down on leasing and your own authority. Remember,if you already have your rights you have to park them for a year if you decide to lease to a company.Some pay your fuel road taxes also. Don't be fooled by the surcharge benifits of some carriers,while some give it all to you and some only partial it still doesn't come close to 1.25 like some carriers offer you to lease to. At this time,if I were doing this,I would lease on to a good company that pays as most of these things for you,irp,plates,road taxes, no trailer rent,tire discounts and fuel discounts with good miles. Withyour own authority,you eat all these expenses and more,plus have to worry about getting loads that pay enough and getting paid from the brokers. Most lease carriers give you a comchek advance that at least covers your fuel costs until you complete the run. I do know that Dart pays you as soon as you can deliver and scan your load at the nearest truckstop,right into your account. On your own, you have to worry about upfront money,no one helping you on any freight claims, no reimbursed fuel or road taxes,and you still have the biggest worry,getting paid or waiting 30 days or more to get paid,or hiring a lawyer if needed. I hope I helped you out. There is alot to know,the guys in the know are doing well,but not as good lately because of fuel is so high. Also,most of the successful guys work on their own trucks when and where possible.

 

Has anyone from this forum emailed Krush to let him know that he has received some well informed posts to his original. I know it has been sometime now and don't know if he made a b-line after being beat up on? I help run three other non-trucking industry related forums and a blog and don't tolerate this kind of abuse and think you moderators worked hard at trying to keep this thread under control and allowing a member this many shots at staying on board.

KJ

 

Thanks for those comments.

I don't know if the original poster ever saw what he was looking for. Hopefully that is the case. We leave it up though for those in similar circumstances....

 

I'm not the original poster, however, this info has been a great help to me. I have close to 50grand to invest in buying my own truck this summer. That's for the truck, and about 5 grand start up with all the different fees. I will have to wait about another year before I will have enough money to purchase a spread axle trailer. I may have to rent one for a while, but eventually I will buy one. Thanks again for all the great post.

I was a mechanic in the navy for twelve years, and worked on natural gas compressor engines for 10 years, so with a little training, geared towards truck I will be able to do some of the work my self. I'm also planing on taking a course in diesel engine maintenance to help me along the way. Thanks again for all the good post.