Would I have a chance with this Owner Operator plan being local?

I would start with getting a Truck Driving job, and do that for at least 1-2 years. Then if you still like doing that, get an older truck and start working the loads around your area, pray you get a good "old" truck, does that sound like something you would like to do first?

 

Nope, don’t think driving a pickup is the same, it isn’t.

it is more complicated than a pickup.

get a cdl, get on the road with a company for at least two years and then see what you want to do.

the one thing about an older truck, there is the green new deal which can take a lot of them off the road with no means of recouping the losses or even applying them to your taxes.

 

I did it. I closed my shop though, and no longer want the headache of employees.

Spent almost 18 years working 100 hours a week. Woke up one day and knew I was done. Bought a truck and trailer that week, and filed for my authority.

Yeah, there's money to be made. Like anything else, all in how you manage it.

I bould an old truck. No ELD's. But I'm dumping most all of my earnings into it right now continually updating the many still original 30 year old parts.

I did this more as a semi retirement. I wanted more free time. I'm also too independent to work for someone else, so I knew I would have to be on my own.

Yeah, savings? I guess it kinda depends. I bought and old truck, new trailer. Dumped 10k into the truck before it hauled a load, and probably another 12k since then. I've got less than 2 months of actual driving in, and my last trip (15 days) was actually the first one I've made a bit of money that some of went back into the bank instead of directly into the truck. If the truck and trailer are paid for, 30k should make you comfortable on an older truck.

I had a local company file all of my paperwork, and they also take care of filing my IFTA, 2290?, got my tags, etc. I've seen on here where OOIDA? does the same.

 

It appears that your mind is made up and if this is what you want to do... do it! Life is short.
Trucking is a regulated industry - so yes you will go blind with administrative duties and paperwork.
Join your state trucking association and associations like NASTC, and network with other members who have gone before you.
There is potential to earn a lot and you will certainly spend a ton of money - it's a business!

Trucks - you're a mechanic, so you know it is cheaper to maintain than it is to repair. Take your time finding the truck you decide on. It can be a long process, but treasure never jumps up and yells, "here I am!" Talk to a CPA and attorney, preferably ones recommended by your state trucking association, and ask them to review your plans. The few hundred dollars that you will spend here are nothing to the thousands of dollars that you intend to risk.

On those days when you're ready to throw in the towel, remember, trucking isn't easy, but nothing worth doing ever is, or everyone would be doing it. Somedays it will be a complete s#*t show and other days you will feel like you're stealing. Learn from both! Lastly stay away from negativity and those individuals who tell you something can't be done or that you will fail, because they may have failed or were afraid to take a risk, and they cant stand to see someone else succeed - not everyone who smiles at you are your friends. Good luck.

 

Well, I think you are in for a surprise, but you certainly have the gumption, and will no doubt succeed. You're already head and shoulders above the rest of new drivers. I started with an older truck, it was a BIG mistake. Repairs killed me, and I did most myself. I didn't gain anything, and should have spent double, and got a truck that was newer. Downtime is a bitxx, and with repair shops charging what, $200/hr, it adds up quick, and no wheels turning, you work for free for a long time after that repair, and pray another doesn't come along anytime soon. Today is probably the absolute worst time to go out on your own. Megas have rates cut so thin, the little guy can't make it,,,yet, they still try, a testament to the American spirit. I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but our society today wants to find out for themselves, and some make it, hardened professionals, mostly, new ones rarely make it. If time is not an issue, I'd drive for someone, talk with other O/O's WHILE GETTING PAID FROM SOMEONE ELSE, and go from there. Remember, it's a HELL of a lot easier buying a truck than getting rid of one, trust me.Good luck

 

Well the thing is an old truck is great but you have to take that truck before you work it and work the whole truck over from front to back.

If you buy an older truck and think you're going to put a little bit of money into it and just work it steadily it's not going to happen.

I have an older truck that I put an engine into and I went over the whole truck from front to back and thank goodness it's been awesome. But I can tell you one hundred percent if you don't go over everything on that truck, everything cab mounts radiator mounts pressure test the radiator rebuild your engine put a new clutch in put on new airbags and air cans Airlines can slack adjusters fuel lines pinion and wheel seals... and on and on and on. You basically need to replace most of the parts that are on the truck and don't be afraid of putting $20,000 or whatever into it. If I listed the amount of repairs I did to my truck before I started it would stagger you.

Then whatever repairs you do have will be small minor things that will be easy to handle. If not you're going to drive for a week and repair for a week and drive for a couple days and repair for a couple weeks and drive for a couple days and have more repairs.... no no no.

Old is good but you have to completely take the time and the money to work it over from front to back before you begin.

Then your investment will return to you.

 

You couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve never seen rates this good, if a person can’t make it now then they’ll never make it.

Why do you think there is a long wait for new trucks and trailers? Why do you think there aren’t very many good used trucks and trailers sitting in dealers lots?

You should really pay attention and get with the times. Just because you couldn’t make it doesn’t mean you need to piss on everyone else’s parade and tell them lies.

 

Menards is always hiring Contractors with any type of equipment. They want you to have your own authority. Pay is terrible. Never met anyone that did well working for them. Don’t waste your time with them.