| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Big Bull
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject: Starting out |
|
|
| I am about to buy a truck and trailer. What is the most reliable load board out there? Also, does anyone know how much I can expect to make out there? Use a 1000 mile ld for example |
|
| Back to top |
|
mrpersons
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Posts: 178
Location: tidewater area of Virginia
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Are you sure you know what you're doing??? Hate to say it, but you sound rather inexperienced to be just going out and buying a truck, then asking how to get a load for it. Those are questions that should be answered well before you buy anything.
So what the deal here?? |
|
| Back to top |
|
LOAD IT
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 614
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject: Re: Starting out |
|
|
Big Bull wrote: I am about to buy a truck and trailer. What is the most reliable load board out there? Also, does anyone know how much I can expect to make out there? Use a 1000 mile ld for example
You may be better off running shorter distances. My trucks have a goal of $700 per day and I run them regionally. I used to run them OTR and realized I was going broke chasing the long hauls. How you do it is up to you. Good Luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
GMAN
Joined: 13 Feb 2005
Posts: 9906
Location: Tennessee
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I use Internettruckstop and getloaded. They seem to work fairly well for me. Have you check on insurance? I don't know how long you have been driving, but unless you have at least 2 years of driving experience, you may find it difficult to get insurance. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Sonny Pruitt
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 449
Location: Mahwah,NJ
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
| http://www.getloaded.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
Big Bull
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I have been driving for 5 years but as a company driver. I am quite inexperienced as far as the business aspect goes, that's why I'm asking. I just want to know what these loads go for, is it reasonable and is it worth my time and money. will I be able to afford a good amount of time at home? Those are the questions I have that I can't seen to find answers for. So can you help me out? |
|
| Back to top |
|
traveler15301
Joined: 04 Mar 2005
Posts: 169
Location: Washington, PA & EVERYWHERE
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Big Bull wrote: I have been driving for 5 years but as a company driver. I am quite inexperienced as far as the business aspect goes, that's why I'm asking. I just want to know what these loads go for, is it reasonable and is it worth my time and money. will I be able to afford a good amount of time at home? Those are the questions I have that I can't seen to find answers for. So can you help me out?
Your best bet is to hook up with someone you know (and trust to NOT lie to you!!!) who is O/O....
before even contemplating buying your own decide to whom you will lease on.
There are nearly a million questions you should be asking them...I cannot even begin to name them all......
but if they are a "good" company they will (hopefully) have a lot of reasonably good paying freight...but one is always wise to seek out your own loads whenever possible and get in the habit of doing so.....using the "load boards" as a last resort.
There is an immense amount of research you will need to perform before you consider this undertaking. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Dejanh
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 503
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
traveler15301 wrote: Big Bull wrote: I have been driving for 5 years but as a company driver. I am quite inexperienced as far as the business aspect goes, that's why I'm asking. I just want to know what these loads go for, is it reasonable and is it worth my time and money. will I be able to afford a good amount of time at home? Those are the questions I have that I can't seen to find answers for. So can you help me out?
Your best bet is to hook up with someone you know (and trust to NOT lie to you!!!) who is O/O....
.
Well, that can prove to be the hardest things of them all. :!:
Even if he talks to some of his friends that are O/Ops that are trustworthy what they tell him may not be the real picture of this buisiness, for ex. , if someone is not doing well they'll tell him ,,dont even try it'' ,, nothing but problems'' and so on...before i even started driving i had plans to buy my truck and while driving for a company i did my research and planned accordingly, you cant just decide one day to buy a truck and deal with all these expenses without knowing about them..it takes time! |
|
| Back to top |
|
solo379
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 3163
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Starting out |
|
|
Big Bull wrote: Use a 1000 mile ld for example
OK! Long Island, NY to St Louis, MO $1,000
St Louis, MO to Long Island, NY $2,000
What does it tell you?
I'd recommend, to start with the truck only, and lease it to reputable % company. That would give you the better understanding, how freight pays, and would cost less to start... 8) |
|
| Back to top |
|
Justruckin
Joined: 02 Dec 2006
Posts: 179
Location: SE Michigan
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Starting out |
|
|
Big Bull wrote: I am about to buy a truck and trailer. What is the most reliable load board out there? Also, does anyone know how much I can expect to make out there? Use a 1000 mile ld for example
Who are you working for right now?
And it sounds like you are thinking about getting your own authority. If you are thinking of getting your own authority, how much money have you got socked away for repairs and fuel? How do you plan to get paid? Factoring or direct billing? Can you wait up to 90 days for a check in the mail? How will you pay for fuel, credit cards, fuel card or cash?
As far as equipment, are you looking at vans, flats or reefers? Have you looked into insurance and permits? Lot's of questions to be answered.
As far as load boards, we use getloaded, chrobinson and truckersedge. We also have regular shippers that we deal with.
Not to cut you off at the knees, but you sound a little uneducated regarding trucking. I take it you are with a larger carrier, that pretty much holds your hand on a daily basis? There is much more to trucking then getting a load and taking off down the road. You are looking at starting your own business, which entails more then you think.
Find yourself a nice used truck and lease it on to a larger company. And forget the trailer until you have some time behind the wheel as a lease operator. |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
