Solo o/os. Do the rates suck? What's your contingency plan?

I wonder how high equipment would go if rates were $10/mi or even consistently $5/mi for all miles?

I agree with most on here that most successful people are pretty resourceful and outside the box thinkers. Where there is a will, there is a way. Certainly though, for some the will would diminish.

It’s certainly getting pretty crazy that it’s nearly $400,000 to put a new truck and reefer on the road if having to buy from private parties. What if that went north of $500,000 or even higher?

Most all of us thought things were crazy high way back 9 months ago and look at it now. Where does it stop? I don’t think in 2022 IMO.

 

Was your tractor “under” insuranced ? 20k for what year and kind of tractor payoff ? I just renewed my truck insurance and bump it up to 80k from 50k. 2014 388 Pete.

 

I used to have other skills, I have let technology leave me behind. Old iron is a thing of the past. A company job would be hard pressed for me to get. My record is ok now with just 1 ticket, but if they look back far at all that’s a done deal lol. That said if a man wants to work he’ll find a way.


Grit, determination, and drive are not something you acquire but are born with.

 

I changed my oil change to annual, and put in 5-40 full synthetic. Due now next January.

I have considered buying an extra complete used engine.

 

Sitting 2 months now, 1 was semi-planned, probably missing out and should have had a shop do it, but im fabricating and modifying things that cost a fortune to replace as "parts".

Wish i had a 2nd truck, but not at current prices. Probably as soon as im going full steam again and have deeper pockets ill start hunting for a cheap truck and just plug away at it for a year or so and then have a spare.

Current truck is a 94 kw

 

I can sit for a year or two. Get a job as a cook or maybe go back to Bomb Disposal. One can find initial success or total failure in any venture. We are on this world temporarily, it’s not that difficult. Trust in the lord!

 

@TallJoe, it's a fascinating subject and one I think of all the time while I'm driving. Like you, I think of it from all angles. What if it's health? What if it's a wreck? What if the tractor is totalled or fixing it (mechanically) is much worse than what it's worth? What if it's just the trailer? What if it's just the rates?

I could still make a living at $2pm, I just wouldn't like it. I would honestly just work less out of frustration until things improved. Many don't see it this way but working less in this business is a defense mechanism. You are statistically much less likely to be in a wreck or have a breakdown if you only work half the time.

I could also lease a trailer if mine were taken out. I could also lease on with a company or God forbid, go to work as a company driver, but I would do it for my family.

At present I guess I could float us for about a year without a lifestyle change without working but if neither me or my wife were working we might as well be dead. We've both gotten up and gone to work every day since age 14. I will never retire because it's the quickest way to die.

It gets harder and harder for people to do this as they get older but just shift the paradigm. As stated above, any O/O has lots of talents they could turn in to money and we all have a different/better work ethic than most 9-5ers. We're ingrained to work until the job is done to get paid. It's getting pretty old fashioned.

 

You reminded me about one more important aspect...health and what would I do if I can't drive. I feel I am too old to start a new career (what in the world would that be, if health prevented me from doing even this?!) and too young to retire. Better not to think too much and focus on the positives. Still having a plan B is a prudent thing.

 

If health became an issue I would start a fleet for sure. If I did not enjoy driving I would had already started the move on that. I just enjoy driving to much right now.

 

Same, that reminds me, that's one of my many plans. Hire someone to drive my truck for awhile if my health was the problem. As for a fleet, I think I'd rather get in to a different business, something with less guvment regulations.