Need o/o advice!!!!!!

[eugeneemery]

Hello truckers:

Im currently looking to pursue my childhood dream, which is to become a truck driver. But I have questions about whether its even possible the way I want to do it. Here we go: I am 26 years old and live in Houston, Tx. I work offshore with Shell 14X14 schedule (14 days on and 14 days off) and I just got my class A CDL and I have no driving experience which Im sure will probably be my biggest setback. My plan is to buy a truck $10,000-$20,000 which will be (paid in full) and I would like to run a least 5-7 days on my 14 days off. I would like to run a 500 mile radius (due to insurance, road, and fuel tax purposes).

P.S. I don't want to quit my current job due to benefits and the money that I make out here. I just want to make a little money on my days off rather than just sitting around trying to find something to do. I figured that this maybe something I can do on my days off which is something I've always wanted to do as a kid. Let me know what you guys think about this. Thanks in advance

[Kurbski]

Try a temp agency. You can't buy a truck and lease it for 5 out of 28 days to any companies that I am aware of.

[eugeneemery]

Thanks but I will be buying the truck outright (paid in full). I probably sould reword it.

[Malaki86]

What kurbski is saying is that no company he's aware of will sign you on with them, whether you own the truck or not. If so, they may require you to cover all permits/tags for the truck because they're not going to cover a years worth of costs for you to drive 1/4 of the year for them.

[mgfg]

What kurbski is saying is that no company he's aware of will sign you on with them, whether you own the truck or not. If so, they may require you to cover all permits/tags for the truck because they're not going to cover a years worth of costs for you to drive 1/4 of the year for them.

But, if he was to lease to a carrier like Landstar he could would as much/little as he chooses because he pays ALL of the expenses.

[GMAN]

Since you are already working for an oil company, have you considered trying to drive a truck on your days off with the same company? Halliburton and a few other companies also use drivers to run around locally in some areas.

[Kurbski]

Thanks Mal for clearing that up.Landstars forum is bcoforum.com. When you choose freight lanes they look like a dogbone. You might be able to put 2,3 or 4 runs together but will go broke unless your willing to stay out and roll in the right lanes depending on what wagon you choose. I'm not sure in Landstars would even let you lease on without any seat time. But you can ask em over on bco. Then go to ooida's website and download the spreadsheet on how much it costs per mile to run down the road. If you have Sirius, go to the trucking channel and listen to Rutherford.

[GMAN]

Most carriers will require at least 6 months to 1 year experience before they will lease on an owner operator.

[eugeneemery]

I really appriciate all the input guys lots of knowledge on here. I think im starting to have a change of hearts on this, Kurbski you're right. With all the cost associated with the truck, the upkeep of it and also the low rates and fuel cost I would probably go broke only running four or five loads/month. But the more I do my homework and talk to people it seems like its not the right thing to do now. Everybody saying that you should by a truck and trailer and hire a driver but man its hard to trust people now days and especially me being offshore 14 days out the month it would be tough trying to run a business and maintain my level of focus out here. And besides I need to put as much of my time into my wife and kids when Im at home on days off instead of running behind the mighty dollar. Thanks guys

[rkeck]

Are you wanting to experience the "open-road", (albeit limited in your case) or is is about the making a lot of money while you can? I'd try and find a position with someone like Schneider or conway truckload who offers plans such as 2 on-1 off, 2 on-2 off, etc. In your situation, I feel as a company driver, you'll net more income as opposed to buying a worn-out truck that may require you spend ALL of your income and half your available time trying to keep it running and safe.

[GMAN]

I really appriciate all the input guys lots of knowledge on here. I think im starting to have a change of hearts on this, Kurbski you're right. With all the cost associated with the truck, the upkeep of it and also the low rates and fuel cost I would probably go broke only running four or five loads/month. But the more I do my homework and talk to people it seems like its not the right thing to do now. Everybody saying that you should by a truck and trailer and hire a driver but man its hard to trust people now days and especially me being offshore 14 days out the month it would be tough trying to run a business and maintain my level of focus out here. And besides I need to put as much of my time into my wife and kids when Im at home on days off instead of running behind the mighty dollar. Thanks guys

I would strongly suggest that you NOT buy a truck and put a driver in it, especially before you have some driving experience on your own. When you have drivers you need to be very hands on. If you talk to others who own trucks you might change your mind about owning. It is very difficult to make money with a single truck when you have a driver. You can earn a good living when you are the driver. You can also make money if you have several trucks. Finding good drivers is a constant challenge. It will be up to you to keep the truck moving with decent paying freight. You will get the phone call in the middle of the night when the truck breaks down. You can't just buy a truck, put a driver in the seat and then sit back and wait for the money to come in. You will need to make a time commitment. I don't think that anyone should buy a truck and put a driver in it without first having at least a couple of years experience themselves.

[bonedust68]

Hey you sure want to jump in the pool badly don't ya? Well take it from both a former O/O and a current company driver, educate yourself as much as possible about the industry and what you need to get started, a good truck of course and good customer base to begin with.. its a thin profit margin biz.. what you might want to try is after getting your cdl, work part-time (or on a casual fleet, as they say) and you can work whenever you are able. I used to work 6 nmonths and take a couple off to go travel the world, then come back with a ton of good stories to tell. Well, best of luck to you....