career change

[ROOT HOG]

ive been in the technical side of oil and gas industry for 30 + years always worked for a manufacturer. Im 46 years old and want to buy a truck. I can pay cash for a good used truck .I have truck driving experience. Hauled livestock,pipe ,water, chemicals ,lumber ETC. I am tired of the industry im currentely in and want a change . I think trucking is probably not the best choice but i like it. I need all the advice i can get . Whats the best
cargo to haul as far as money. What about a government contract. How do these guys get the opportunity to haul military equipment.

[Justruckin]

There is so much more to this than just buying a truck. Do you have a CDL? Do you want your own authority or are you thinking of just working for someone? Do you plan on buying a trailer, and what type, van, flat, reefer? And do you have enough cash on hand to survive a month or longer with no income?

[RostyC]

Now is not the time to get into this business. Do you have any contacts for work? It would be hard to survive off load boards.
I definitely know what it's like to be tired of the industry your in because I came into this from construction. Got to the point I would stomp my feet and bitch as soon as I got outta bed in the morning. But really if I was you I would wait till things get better. In the meantime do a lot of research on the forums available. There's a wealth of information here, but you got to find it.

Truckin ain't cheap. Mechanics labor, tires, fuel, parts, taxes, insurance all goes up and the rates are being cut by companies trying to survive.

[rank]

Oil and gas you say? Rates are usually great going into Alberta. If you can get outbound freight you could be a millionaire.

[ROOT HOG]

Thanks for the feed back.
I can get my own authority . 48 states = $ 2,400 .00 per year
Insurance for my truck will start out a $9,000.00 per year. Im not going to a freakin school to learn how to drive and get my CDL. I know how to drive truck. And thats part of the problem everyone wants 1 to 2 years verifiable which i dont have. I would pay cash for the truck. And i could start out leasing a trailer. I really want to haul livestock ,Grain ,. Im pretty sure these types of cargo are not the best paying. Im country and like that that kind of atmosphere . Call me stupid but i love the smell of spent diesel and cow ****. I just need a major change in my career. The industry im in has gotten really stupid dealing with 4 year degreed engineers that have no practical experience. And there argueing with me about how to fix an engine. Any pointer or advice on this.

Regards

[Justruckin]

I would look around for someone hauling grain, any grain elevators in town? It's that time of year, they should be busy getting the fall harvest in. That is where I would start.

[ROOT HOG]

thank for the input JUSTTRUCKIN . Ive already began the search at the local elevators .
I appreciate your help.

[Justruckin]

Originally Posted by ROOT HOG

thank for the input JUSTTRUCKIN . Ive already began the search at the local elevators .
I appreciate your help.

No sweat. I would try to stay local, or within a state or two. Most of the rates out here are in the toilet. I know I was having trouble making it on less than .10 a mile when I sold off my last bit of equipment. Not a good time to be buying into this racket, much less getting into it at all. Personally I think it will be quite a few years down the road till we see any sort of turn around, and that will probably be in small regional areas or some new specialized field that does not exist yet.