Why do most owner operators fail?

Yeah, sometimes it's easier to cut your losses and move onto another truck. I've had to do it before, and I'm sure it will happen again in the future at some time.

 

snowwy

i wanted a big nose truck for years, any one would have done, i drove a classic and a 379, loved them both (the classic had much more interior room though)

but as Gordon Gekko said, dont make business decisions based upon emotion

i did the numbers for the way i drive, i would have gotten AT BEST 5.5 mpg with any of the bignoses, and i figured every 1mpg is $20k/year out the stack

so i wound up getting a columbia, and to be honest, i love it

aint the prettiest girl in town, nor the strongest guy on the block, but she gets the job done and without so much as a hiccup

mileage is decent, uphill aint bad, its still governed at 78mph, but i rarely go that fast anyway

 

Thank You Bill, This puts things in perspective

 

I wound up doing the same thing. After running numbers I got rid of my 379 w/550 cat and bought a Volvo autoshift w/ISX 500. now getting 7mpg on avg. makes big diff on bottom line not just per mo but every week by a few hundred dollars. Miss the big hood. But the money will keep me surviving in this business.

 

Well I have a 2004 Western Star Lowmax with a high hp C15 and I get 7.2mpg average..... it's not always the truck but how you drive it.

Just sayin'

 

You should drive slower.

 

Two words say it all poor planning. You haven't failed till you quit trying.

 

how fast do i drive?

 

My flat top 379 pulling a box at 70 to 72 grossed out does 5.5. A big head wind it's worse but I'am thinking you must be going atleast that fast. Truck pushes 7mpg at 60. 70 feels so much better than 60 though.

 

i know these things, but part of me driving a truck is enjoying the drive, i can be alone, with all the time in the world and i will pick a speed and do it, it keeps me awake, aware and enjoying the drive

i have tried that "drive 62" stuff, it kills me

if i get exhausted driving 62 and am exhilarated at 70, 70 keeps me enjoying my work and awake. if i drove 62 for any amount of time, i would be a danger to you and your family