whats the bottom line?

Can't believe the word police took out that word referring to a clown. Makes it look like I used one of those words that many humans find offensive.

 

Asking wide open, general questions isn't research.

Have you ever SEEN a CPM spreadsheet? Do you understand what it's telling you? Have you any idea what freight you would haul? How much will you spend on your truck? How much cash do you have in reserve? What's your tax situation? Your credit any good? How many miles will you run a week? A month? A year? What's the freight you think you're going to run? Is it constant or seasonal? Who are your customers? Do you have any? Are you leasing on with a mega carrier? What's their pay plan? What pay plans are offered by which carriers? This could go on....simply, it's more complex than you seem to comprehend. Not impossible to do, just not as easy as you seem to wish it was. Sorry to be all REAL and stuff.

Pie in the sky? You'll be just fine, go ahead.

 

Yes things are changing, but from what to what, where, and what's the actual business plan? The person whose business it is should have all the answers to those questions and many others before making such an investment of time and money. There are really good resources to help a person understand the business of trucking. (Check OOIDA, SBA, etc.) While this is a good place for anecdotal information, maybe some opinion, and some insight into other people's experience, it's not the best place to get an education in what trucking is all about and how to be successful. It's useful to someone who already has insight into the business, and has questions, or wants to compare experiences, or opinions. I don't think I'd build a business solely on what you can find out here.

If the person who owns the business now or in the future doesn't know what questions to ask, or have the answers to the basic questions, they probably shouldn't contemplate it until they do. It could be a nice pipe dream, or if they don't know what they are doing, it can be a nightmarish disaster.

 

LT,

Income and everything else changes all the time as others have mentioned. Depending on the area, you may run hard during the season and run less during the off season depending on where you live. Also, since a independant o/o's do not work for a company, you are required to pay your own taxes hence why so many members have been mentioning spread sheets. For this, you should use microsoft excel or a tax related programs. Even access is a good one if you can master it. Hope this helps.

KH

 

Your questions are a moot point then, since it is not you driving or going into business.