Wanting to become O/O with no OTR experience!!!

If you've spent any time at all reading this forum, then you already know this is a terrible idea.

 

Is this a joke? you want to run strictly wknds. buy a truck 99' or newer for $15,000 & want it to have overhaul, new tires, brakes, e.t.c.? did you forget to mention, that you need to make at least $4.00 a mile too?I apologize if I sound sarcastic, but I was kinda trying to, as I am thinking your post is meant as a bit of humor. I do not think you are going to get many positive(you can do it)replies. your demands, or expectations are not in line with what is required in trucking today. on a positive, truthful note, can you make it with your plan? yes. however I don't see how,other than, luck & miracles still happen. I myself, just don't count on them in my business plans.

 

Kinda hard to run OTR when your only working weekends. You would be stuck doing local work, which has no weight with insurance companies when it comes to OTR. I would think that your seat time with Navy would be sufficient for experience. I believe insurance companies will accept that in place of schooling, but you have to double check that with what ever ins. company you plan to use.
Good luck with what ever route you decide.

 

I'm new to the forum, have 5 years local and OTR driving experience but been out of the field for 10 years. I am looking to make a comeback this year. But before I head back, I am doing some research on this site and others.

When I first started reading this forum I learned quickly how the industry has changed, especially for the O/O. I was in your shoes thinking about buying, renting, or leasing a truck to run on weekends until I finish with my current full time job. I need to do this for about 1-2 years.

After reading and posting some questions, I was shot down on the O/O idea for good reason. These guys who reply have the experience (good and bad) on the day to day dealings with the industry. Sometimes you might get a reply that appears to be negative or looking like they are putting you down, but I think it's all with good intentions. Some of the true drivers on this site have learned from the school of hard knocks. Some have good intentions when warning you of a path not too take. They just might not word it so nicely.

I'm sure somewhere out there there are O/O driver making money operating in the way your looking to operate, but I bet it's rare. If your brother or best friend is the shipper and willing to conform to your availability, you might have a chance at making it work.

From my time with researching this idea, I believe it's best to locate (and it's been hard) a company willing to hire you part time to run locally or at least 2-3 days out regionally. This way you can get seat time and be ready for when you can drive full time. Part time, class "A" stuff been a tough find for me so far and I look everywhere. I hope your search is easier than mine. Good Luck!

I threw the O/O thing out the window after hearing the costs involved, rates paid with no guarantee of loads. Think about it. Do your research, ask questions on this forum and don't get too bent if a trucker throws an answer that seems degrading. Somewhere in that answer lies some truth and advice. Good luck in your search!

 

hey man people are going to say yes and people are going to say no. If you have enough to pay 15k cash and still got enough cash to completely over haul the truck then i would say use all the cash you have for purchase/overhaul and buy a newer lower milage tractor. 15k plus between 10 and 25k to completely rebuild/overhaul an engine and trans, 5k for new tires and brakes plus give or take a bit for unexpected things you find when overhauling the tractor = enough to purchase a better tractor in the first place. You need everything going for you to make a profit and you really dont need to be worrying about your equipment in the start. You get what you pay for and you need to buy the best you can afford that is ready to roll and make you money, not ready to sink more money into. If you do look into the options available for used trucks you will find an older tractor with the requirements your after will still cost more than 15 k. If you want to do it then i say go for it but do more research and get more experience in the civilian side of the trucking industry before you commit. Nothing wrong with being ambitious but just keep in mind that you are in a position to lose every dollar you put into this business if you are not carefull.I am assuming you would have some excellent experience with oversize and unique types of hauling in the military so maybe try getting onto some of the more specialized hauling companies and try to get a foot in the door that way. Good luck and i wish you all the best in your endevours.

 

If you think you can find a '99 or new with a fresh rebuilt engine, new tires, etc. good luck.

 

I'm looking at purchasing equipment and getting my authority after several years out of the industry so I'll share some information that I have found.

IMHO, it will be hard to find a company to lease to that will take your military experience. So it will be nearly impossible to find a company that will lease you on until you get some OTR experience as a driver. There are two chances of finding a company to lease to that will let you work part-time, those are slim and none. The companies incur expenses on their lease trucks and expect to make a profit, so they expect you to run miles. If you really search hard you might find a company that will take your military experience when you are ready to run full time, it's possible.

As far as a truck goes you have the right idea but the wrong price. I have been looking at trucks around 2001 give or take a couple of years. I am finding trucks with fresh engine rebuilds, new virgin rubber, new brakes and new drums for around $30,000. I don't believe you will purchase anything rebuilt for $15,000.

Now as far as getting your authority and running this way, you can probably do this if you have enough capital. I don't know how long you have had your CDL but that is a big plus for insurance if you go this route. IMHO, to go this route you are looking at $35,000 - $50,000 for tractor and trailer. Then you need $5,000 - $10,000 in operating capital to cover expenses until the money comes in and for possible breakdowns. This is a shoestring budget as most will say you need $15,000 - $25,000 operating capital after purchases.

Your insurance will most likely be around $8,000 per year. They will want $1,500 - $2,000 down with ten payments around $600 - $650. New drivers often have to get Progressive insurance and they usually give new drivers a 500- 700 air mile operating radius.

If you have $18,000 - $25,000 and are willing to take on $2,500 a month in truck, trailer and insurance payments you can probably make this work. The problem will be that you will be so busy handling the driving part with no OTR experience that you will hardly have time for the business end of equipment ownership. And that leaves the business end of being a carrier completely uncovered.

The reason you get such negative responses is because those of us who have done this know how hard it is. I have owned two trucks. I lost everything including my family with the first one and made a success out of the second one. The truth is, in your situation, you are 3 - 4 times more likely to fail than succeed depending on whether you choose a lease or authority.

In a perfect world, the process would go something like this. First you drive for at least two years and learn the driving part while saving money and tracking all expenses. If you can't save at least some money you aren't ready to manage your own truck. Second you purchase a truck and lease to a company for at least a year. During this time you would take online business courses and save more money while learning everything you can about loads, rates and shipping lanes. If you can't find time to do the training while running the truck you aren't ready to get your authority and run that part of the business. Finally you would purchase a trailer and get your authority. You would have at least a month of expense money saved at this point. This is not much different than the process to get an Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC license. You need to work your way through the trade to insure success.