To become independant or not?

This should be copy and pasted in every "i wanna be a billy big rigger" post.

 

Thanks, and it should. I wish things were different out here, because I would not be here throwing these little pearls of "been there done that" wisdom out for free. We would all be rolling along out there making money. At least that is my wish. Where are those ###### ruby red slippers!

Sad days ahead. And I hope I am wrong.

Mike

 

What about your medical/dental insurance? Do/Will you also be able yo afford that as well?

 

I have my own reasons for looking at the possibility of becoming an o/o so I won't bore anyone with that. This is a business question. I have been looking at the numbers and it looks like you need to average at least $1.00 a mile gross, keep your adjusted fuel to around $1.20 a gallon (purpose of the fuel surcharge) and at least 8000 miles a month if you want to clear about $38,000 a year in pay.

Here is my question- How can you make money signing on with these companies that are only paying $.80 to $.95 base a mile? I understand the temptation for sarcastic replies, but I would really appreciate at least one serious answer.

 

The answer is you can't make money at those rates and not at $1 a mile either . I'd say a minimum of $1.40 a mile plus FSC to make it worthwhile .
If you want to be an O/O look into hotshotting or LTL with a hotshot type rig . ( 1 ton or medium duty truck with 32' to 48' trailer ) . Right now things are slow for them too but I know some that won't pull any loads for less than $2 a mile and they stay busy . It would really help to have at least 1 good base customer . Typical freight is plastic pipe , smaller construction equipment like Bobcats and attachments , large rooftop HVAC units , and time sensitive loads .

 

Regarding "just fire them" best be reading the whole contract you signed not all companies are going to let you out just because you aren't hauling arse!

Don't have the money to control your own destiny stay a company driver. I've said this a hundred times. The trucking industry is not a forgiving industry...it will take everything you had and then some.

 

you got that hook line and sinker.....it is your life chose it well around our house we always ...... eat breathe and sleep trucks...even our kids the world truns around that truck

 

You can't. Do the math. No sarcasm required. There is allot more to truck ownership than just holding a steering wheel.

And right now, the biggest problem out here is freight, and its lack of availability. I don't care if you average $5 a mile, if there ain't no freight, how much are you making?

I leased on with Schneider, even their freight is looking thin, and most of it pays better than $1 a mile. Most of what I have moved has been around $1.70, and even at that rate it is not easy out here. I still realistically need $2+ a mile to actually show a reasonable profit, or to not spend 4 weeks out in the truck. Right now, breaking even seems to be about the norm out here.

It is just not a good time to even think of getting into trucking, much less to buy a truck and strike out on your own. I personally know at least a dozen guys out here, all O/Ops, and we are all right now looking for that magic company to work for. I never thought I would see this day after having my own authority. The money was good out here not that long ago. But when things go tits up, they go tits up. Savings is gone, and now just hanging on. And my rig is paid for, and we have little personal debt. But we still need to eat and keep the lights on, along with insurance, etc...

Mike

 

Its tough no matter how ya look at it...last year at this time we were offered several loads to chose from...this year well you get put on the board and hope your # comes up that day not 3-4 days later....oh wait I am not in Houston today....maybe it won't take that long...and I have never seen a truck thats paid for that can actually afford to sit in the driveway either.........

 

you can't. you will run your butt into the ground 7 days a week for 4 weeks at a shot and then take 2 or 3 days off and start it all over. And if you are lucky you will make a few bucks but with freight slow like it is most people I know are just breaking even hoping they don't have a breakdown and hoping things will get better. I'm not into working that hard for nothing. you can make as much or more driving a comany trck and have a ton less stress.

you lso have t factor in what it's going to cost you to buy health insurance