TEAM DRIVER WANTING TO BE 0/0s

Buy a 1998-2003 Volvo 770 for $15-20k. Big comfortable truck, perfect for a team. Start now fixing everything what's needed to be fixed. At $35-40k you will have a very nice reliable truck and no payments to worry about.

 

Honestly not trying to rain on their parade or sound negative. But they are not ready yet. 10 months of experience as team drivers working for a mega company will not provide the experience needed to become a successful O/O.

Driving is the easy part. They have reached the point where they are confident in their skill set. This is where many make the mistake of deciding to step up and finance or lease a truck. Like I said,.. driving is the easy part.

Get your husband and brother to sit down and start researching everything there is to know about the BUSINESS side of trucking. Brokering, factoring, financing, freight, freight lanes, rates, seasonal freight, permits, IFTA/IRP, Taxes, Shippers etc etc etc.

See if they are willing to look for a smaller company to work for that will pay them on percentage. This "should' give them access to the rate/con's. That way they can see how much they are hauling for,.. the who's, where's and how's. They need to experience some break downs and learn to handle the leg work for that.

Once they put the pieces together. Then decide on what segment they want to get into. Van, Reefer, open deck, specialized/heavy haul etc. Once the legwork for that is in place. Start working out direct shippers or if leasing to a carrier that specializes in what they want to haul,.. then and only then start researching which wold be the best truck to buy to pull that type of trailer. I would not buy a truck with out first knowing (Exactly) where and how the money will come in.

All of this will take time. Experience will be the best teacher.

This is a business and needs to be treated as such.

Good luck.

As for your part. Just be supportive. They are going to make mistakes. Trucking has ups and downs. The key to survival is having the fortitude and integrity to stick it out and the knowledge to make it all work. A grumpy needy spouse is not helpful. Believe me,.. we miss you as much as you miss us. Full belly and snuggle time is all I usually need.


Hurst

 

Heard VOLVOS develop electrical issues in they latter years. Is that true???

 

STAY AWAY FROM International ProStars. It's a garbage truck that comes from the factory broken.

 

Volvo of that era only has like 5 sensors, very simple and cheap truck to work on, but has the same cab and ride quality as new ones.
My 2001 Volvo with 1.8 mil miles drives like a car, nice, quiet and smooth

 

Said truck about as rare as rooster teeth now. But I believe you on driveability. Had 1 at Knight. Drive like a giant car

 

If it has a MAXFORCE Yes... Prostars did come with different engines...

 

Got NUMEROUS negative reports from friends & strangers abot $h!+3rnational Prostars.

Even if it had a Cummins, I hear of an issue in the dash with an anti-theft system that breaks and won't allow you to even start the truck.

 

Haha it is rare, but they pop up for sale here and there. I drove from MI to AZ to pick up another 2003 one.Love these things