What's the best way to acquire your first truck?

Stories like that makes me glad that when I have a problem I call "1800 come fix your truck" !

 

Stories like that are rare.

Engine dont just launch themselves apart like that without a reason.

 

Very rare.I looked at my records and the very last time i was ever on a ''hook'' was some 8 years ago and counting...It has alot to do with prevenative Main also..Alot of the O/O's still have a company mentality.Alot of O/O's have no business owning a truck too.

 

They are also the same o/o that a company will struggle with "Why are you not turning in BOL or logs?"

But I digress..


Back to you regularly scheduled program.

 

Different strokes for different folks.I am not sure why anyone would want to be a ''slave'' to a company truck...IMO

 

With only 8 months in the industry you are not even close to being ready to buy a truck. I agree with everyone who says get at least 5 years in before you take the plunge. And as far as a lease purchase goes, RUN away from that idea as quickly as possible. I personally have been trucking for 17 years as a company driver and am just now deciding to try my luck as an O/O and the thought terrifies me from time to time. I know guys who have made it and are doing well and I know others who have gone bankrupt. Most of the ones who went bankrupt decided to go the lease purchase route, none of the ones who made it did. As a matter of fact, everyone I know who did the lease purchase regretted making the decision to do so.

I myself am purchasing a used truck and paying cash for it. I also have experiance as a truck mechanic as well as a good friend who is Cat mechanic. Those two things alone I believe are of great value to an O/O, you have to know you equipment inside and out. Years of service in the industry is something else I have, how are you going to make it as an independent in an industry you don't understand. I have been doing homework for years, you have only been driving for 8 months. I have loved the industry and I have hated the industry but after 17 years I am still here, its in my blood, its a way of life not just a job. My decision to go O/O was because my kids are 18 and 20 and I now feel I can devote the time and effort it is going to require to make it as an O/O. You want the ability to modify your truck and are tired of your load managers crap. My advice is to stick with the company gig until you love what you do, then wait till you hate the sight of a stinking truck, then decide what to do! That or just get out now while the getting is good. Not trying to discourage you just speaking from the heart.

 

In trucking, as with ANY business, you MIGHT be lucky to break even your first year or two but you'll likely lose money. Now, if you start with only a signature on a contract and insufficient funds to back yourself up how do you think that is likely to end? They don't say "the best way to make a million bucks in trucking is to start with $2 million" for nothing. Makes a sure 33cpm sound like easy money.

 

Personally folks, it sounds like he has his mind made up. I wish the OP the best of luck, i really do, but with leases, the horror and slave stories are endless. If you do lease a truck, get a Hood like a Lonestar, 389, W900 etc.. Nothing burns me up more when I see someone leasing a "fleet spec'd" Cascadia, Prostar, Columbia, T-200 from the same company they're working for. But hey to each it's own.

 

I'd think a hood would be the worst choice considering those guys live and die by the mpg's they are able to squeeze althought I guess if one is going to go down they ought to do it in style.