2nd month in with LS - hit $1.83 TTT, all miles , kept 63% of gross revenue, with an old million mile truck (paid cash), and a 25k trailer loan. Ran close to 10,000 miles. That should give you some idea.
That's possibly the single most important factor. If you can pull your own starter cord, watch your figures, keep your mind open, and give it all you've got - you'll do fine. As some one said, walking to the edge is easy.
Blairandgretchen, thanks a ton for your response. My next question was going to be about trailers. I am doing this partly because of I like to drive OTR but hate unloading and dealing with slow unloads. Do you find using your own trailer is better or maybe limits your capabilities?
A lot of the 'surprises' can be eliminated with some inexpensive checking and research - rigdig, oil sample, ecm printout, independent inspection - $250 tops, vs. a $20k in frame. To the new truck experience - In 10 years company driving, I had a gearbox grenade, and a 2011 Detroit that was towed 7 times, had 4 sets of injectors, 2 wiring harnesses . . . total up that bill, and don't forget the downtime. My decision was to eliminate a truck payment - less pressure.
Using their trailers, you can jump on preloaded trailers, and power only loads - icsheeple runs van, he can better answer that one. I wanted the extra revenue of my own - but its a flat, so mostly live loads.
7% adds up real quick. It's like getting paid for every tenth load without having to do it, or burn the fuel. You also don't pick up empties that need tires or have lights out.
I've been on a dedicated gig getting $1.65 TTT, all miles. Home every other day and weekends doing out and backs. Sleeping in the truck three nights a week. I'm okay sacrificing revenue for home time. I don't want to run for any less than that though. It's nice not having to run the board, constantly trip planning and dealing with parking and brokers. Hehehe, pull your own starter cord, that's funny.
Most of my unloads and loads are under an hour. Sometimes it can be more going to a paper mill or food warehouse. I recommend starting off with a company van first and see how preloads and drop/hooks would work around your area. AFTER LS cut last year I made $1.67 for All Miles and had myself home every weekend and ran short of 100,000 miles. I could of made plenty of more money if I won't so lazy and didn't like leaving the house on Sundays. But trust me you'll do fine here.
