Should I buy a truck straight out of school?

Hi,

I am new to the forum and not even in the industry yet. Im seeking opinions and advice from all you experts and thank you in advance for any feedback.

At 30 years old i have done alot of thinking and realised i am most happy when im cruising on the open road. After talking to some friends in the industry i realised trucking might be the perfect career for me. Im 3 week in to cdl school and the instructors said im ready for the test next week.

My main question is should i buy a truck straight out of cdl school?

I have owned my own business for the past 6 years requiring running 6 pickup trucks with commercial insurance and big expenses. Some years my expenses have exceeded $450k. So naturally being an owner operator appeals to me.

I will need to sell my business to get started in trucking and that should give me around $150k to play with. Ive got alot of experience turning wrenches and want to get a pre emmissions w900 and a 48' spread axle flatbed.

I live just north of houston texas near huntsville and have a good friend who is a shipper for an oil and gas company who says she will start giving me loads as soon as im ready. I planned to use that and the load boards to get work, ideally doing mostly regional between the major texas cities and the west tx oilfields.

Is it wise for me to jump in headfirst as an owner operator or should i take it slow and get hired on with a company to get some experience? I feel that i have alot in my favor with the business experience, mechanic experience, industry connections, and a good chunk of cash. But i still feel it might be better for me to get hired on with a company to start out. What do yall think?

I really dont want to do otr as i have a wife and kids that i love seeing as much as possible. So if i try to get hired with a company i would be looking for a local job.

Thank yall for any feedback and sorry for being long winded.

Also one last question which is probably better asked to my insurance agent. But since i have had commercial auto insurance for the past 6 years would that record apply towards commercial insurance on a semi truck? I know high insurance is a big factor for new operators.

 

I appreciate the advice. My industry experienced the same thing its gone to absolute #### the past few years and all my competitors either went out of business or sold to giant private equity companies. Im getting out while i still can and even the local driving jobs are paying more than im making. I am hellbent on being a trucker haha ive tried alot of things and always worked my ### off i dont come from money. Its not just liking to drive i also like trucks and hate working behind a desk im blue collar. All my buddies in the industry said its a perfect fit for me with my skills and interests. But ill never know until i try and if i dont try then ill always wonder.

 

Yeah the industrys gone to ####. Value is based on net not expenses. Too much expenses and headache for the money.