Thinking about getting my own truck.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by cherrybone, Jul 15, 2026.

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  1. Jul 15, 2026 #1
    cherrybone

    cherrybone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2012
    Plainfield, NJ
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    To start I plan on being local. My question is what would be the best route to take between leasing on to a company or working off of a load board. Also Im in the New Jersey area. Any words of encouragement, knowledge, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
     
    cherrybone, Jul 15, 2026
    cherrybone, Jul 15, 2026
    #1
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  3. Jul 15, 2026 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Chinatown, Jul 15, 2026
    Chinatown, Jul 15, 2026
    #2
    austinmike and nextgentrucker Thank this.
  4. Jul 15, 2026 #3
    austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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    :happy1:
     
    austinmike, Jul 15, 2026
    austinmike, Jul 15, 2026
    #3
    Sons Hero, 201, Numb and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Jul 15, 2026 #4
    nextgentrucker

    nextgentrucker Road Train Member

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    New Jersey? Local? Yikes...
     
    nextgentrucker, Jul 15, 2026
    nextgentrucker, Jul 15, 2026
    #4
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  7. Jul 15, 2026 #5
    OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    There’s a guy selling an established hotshot business on here right around your area. Might check that out. Not sure how to post the link, but it’s under the recent classifieds on here.

    I figured it out. That’s a good deal for a startup.
     
    OldeSkool, Jul 15, 2026
    OldeSkool, Jul 15, 2026
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  8. Jul 15, 2026 #6
    OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    OldeSkool, Jul 15, 2026
    OldeSkool, Jul 15, 2026
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    Chinatown and nextgentrucker Thank this.
  9. Jul 20, 2026 #7
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    2ways to go here. You own the truck/trailer and find your own loads, (we use to call them lone wolves) This involves lots of time on the phone plus paperwork as well as driving the truck.

    next, you own only power (truck tractor) but lease on to a co. that supplies the trailer AND finds the loads, dispatches them and completes the paperwork. You pay a % .
     
    Allow Me., Jul 20, 2026
    Allow Me., Jul 20, 2026
    #7
  10. Jul 21, 2026 #8
    cherrybone

    cherrybone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2012
    Plainfield, NJ
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    I hear you. Im trying to figure out which is the better option.
     
    cherrybone, Jul 21, 2026
    cherrybone, Jul 21, 2026
    #8
  11. Jul 21, 2026 #9
    Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

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    Have you ever driven professionally? If not, start as a driver somewhere. Learn on somebody else’s dime
     
    Sons Hero, Jul 21, 2026
    Sons Hero, Jul 21, 2026
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  12. Jul 21, 2026 #10
    cherrybone

    cherrybone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2012
    Plainfield, NJ
    0
    Yes. I've been driving for 18yrs now.
     
    cherrybone, Jul 21, 2026
    cherrybone, Jul 21, 2026
    #10
    OldeSkool Thanks this.
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