Wanting to transition from company driver to O/O

I am an owner operator that is leased to a carrier with a lot of their own contract freight. In the past I’ve ran livestock, pulled food grade pneumatic, and also hauled livestock feed for various companies with my own truck.

If you’re determined to buy a truck then I suggest going newer than 4 years old or get one that’s pre emission. Buying a used truck with 400k+ on it is asking for trouble because there will be a whole list of things needing done that were ignored by the previous owner.

 

You mentioned CH Robinson. I have never been an 0/0, but one reefer company I drove for used CH Robinson for many of their loads. The company was satisfied with the pay and I was never stuck somewhere waiting for a load.

 

They have dry vans, conestogas, flats, and step decks. Personally I haven’t experienced issues because my first 2 trucks were pre emission, my last truck was purchased with 220k on it and I did all the recommended maintenance on the emission system when it was called for, and my current truck was purchased new. I would look into what that warranty covers before I’d spend that kind of money on it, it sounds like a third party one from Arrow and likely doesn’t cover much.

There was a guy on this forum that had a third party warranty. Yes it covered his overhaul but he was down for over a month while they jumped through all the hoops not wanting to cover it. He would’ve been better off paying cash for it and getting back on the road.

 

If you don't have a contracted customer lined up I would avoid going independent at your age. If you can find a small carrier to lease on to with contracted freight and they've given you all the numbers you need to pencil it all out then maybe it would be ok. Personally, I think you're better off as a company driver. You can save a lot of money living in the truck as a W2 driver without all the major hassles (and stress) of owning your own equipment.

 

You can buy a truck through Greatwide. This is not lease-purchase. Greatwide helps you buy or finance a truck, then you lease on to Greatwide.

• Apply Online To Get The Process Started.

• Visit One Of The Dealers Below In Person Or Online And Pick Your Truck.

If You Have A Dealer Of Your Own Not On Our List No Problem! We Can Work With Them.

• Upon Completion Of The Lease Agreement We Overnight Your Log, Stickers, etc...

• Your First Load Will Be Waiting.
  

 

Timing is everything in this business. Calculate your overhead expenses as a Driver vs. O/o. In this market most are breaking even when factoring inflation. I jumped in during the worst time when rates dropped. However, I had well over $120k (used 40% vecause to carrier issues and downtime). My biggest problem was C?corrupted crooked carriers I leased on with and percentage pay. A couple carriers blatantly lied to my face about having a Majority of direct customers while they had one or two lost them and ran the load boards only etc. If you can afford 20% less of your pay now because your wife works. Plus can save to have a decent reserve over $100k I don't recommend it in this current market.

 

Most new businesses go under in the first 12 months this is just a fact, the reasons can be many, but the most common are not doing due diligence, check out all the pro's and cons, the what if's you'll need a pot of cash to start off with, or someone that is willing to give you a good line of credit, got any relatives that are bank managers? The good part about working for someone else is they get to have all the worries, well most of them anyway. Once you start as an O/O now everything is on you, if you think its hard now wait till you start having to find you own freight, making sure all the bills are paid. I'm not saying to ignore your goals which by the way are fine, just do your research before going ahead with it.