Truck Driving Jobs

2 · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 149

Or, Wanting to become one?

There are a lot of misconceptions and illusions, regarding the freedom, independence and earning potential.

So, This is the question of the day...

jmilici · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:

Just finished my 3rd week as an owner operator and grossed $14,900. Right now things are tough as I am trying to find a good way to keep records. I have had repairs since I bought a used truck so that eats into profits.

I run reefer so the gross does not include lumper fees and pay for unloading that has been done myself.

I can not really give you my opinion yet as I still have that company driver mentality still, but so far it is the best move I have made. I will say that it is not for everyone. It's hard work and you have to be ready for it, both physically and mentally.

I will tell you you if you can't handle stress, don't do it. If you are afraid of change, don't do it. If you do not have any sort of backing, don't do it. I have been fortunate enough to have a few friends who are owner ops with their own authority and have been able to get very good paying loads with no problem.

Do not jump in expecting to get rich and do not jump in with out any sort of backing or any kind of connections. I have been lucky enough to have both. Jump in to expect the same money you are making now or even less. At least for the first year.

Right now is a dangerous time. A lot of big companies are going out of business but if the O/O are smart they can survive. The friend I am leased on to has been in business for 22 years and the other friend has been in business for 18, running 3 trucks. Both make very well livings. The friend I am leased to had grossed $250,000 the last 3 years by himself and projected to make $262,000 this year.

My advice, if you don't have the backing and the contacts, do NOT do it. If you have to lease a truck, do NOT do it. If you can not figure out a way to live for at lest 2 months without income, do NOT do it. And make sure you have good credit, because if you don't you will get f(%ked.

It is not as easy as most if not all think. You don't just call up a shipper and say I want to haul your freight. I am fortunate enough to have people to keep me sane & who have good, established accounts with both shippers and brokers.

That's my two cents. Take it for what it's worth. Oh and buy a truck with your wallet, not with your coolness (if that makes sense). You can make the same money with a cheaper less cool truck as you can with a cool truck. My dream truck is a KW900 studio but I bought a Mack cx613. I am very happy with my purchase.

Rev.Vassago · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:01 am Post subject:

I do it because I want to drive trucks, screw broads, and get money, just like Hawkjr.

Jumbo · Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 909 Location: Northern Wisconsin

Rev.Vassago wrote: I do it because I want to drive trucks, screw broads, and get money, just like Hawkjr.

As soon as I saw the question that was going to be my answer. Then I scrolled down :sad:

scooter823 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 101 Location: NC

I do it because I like to be in charge of my own destiny :D

Jumbo · Joined: 27 Aug 2006 Posts: 909 Location: Northern Wisconsin

scooter823 wrote: I do it because I like to be in charge of my own destiny :D

Destiny called. She said you aren't in charge because you're still gonna die. Change that toughguy.

solo379 · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 3162

I was on unemployment, and buddy of mine, who was too, convinced me, that we could make a great deal of money. Cause everybody else does....
:lol: :wink:

BigDiesel · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

I would suggest a CR England LP...... You will be rollin' in the dough...

Scottt · Joined: 31 May 2007 Posts: 105

My first week as a O/O

Truck shut off going up the mountain on I15 going into California. Got towed to the Cummins shop in Las Vegas $900. They replaced the oil thermostat $47 for part and $500 labor. Had to stay in hotel in Vegas for 2 nights while waiting to get truck fixed.

Got load unloaded and reloaded and was heading out of California and AC quit. Drove the rest of the day with the temp in the cab at 109 degrees. Found a shop the next morning to look at it. Replaced the compressor and recharged the system. Total bill $800

Truck ran great all the way home. I got to the last turn before I was home and the truck wouldn't downshift. Stopped at the stop sign and it went into neautral and wouldn't shift into gear. (Freedomline Auto) Towed it to the Peterbilt dealer this morning $400

My net off the loads was $2300 and I spent $2700+ so far on truck.

If you don't have cash for repairs don't even think about buying a truck.

Rev.Vassago · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

Jumbo wrote: Rev.Vassago wrote: I do it because I want to drive trucks, screw broads, and get money, just like Hawkjr.

As soon as I saw the question that was going to be my answer. Then I scrolled down :sad:

You gotta be quick on the draw. It helps if you have plenty of time on your hands because you aren't driving trucks, screwing broads, or getting money. :lol:

Fredog · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 2311 Location: North Georgia

2 wrote: Or, Wanting to become one?

There are a lot of misconceptions and illusions, regarding the freedom, independence and earning potential.

So, This is the question of the day...

A long time ago, I wanted to be one, so I became one, and then I decided that I liked to eat and pay my bills and have money left over, so I became a company driver.

GMAN · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 9865 Location: Tennessee

There is nothing cheap about working on a truck. Unless you can afford to make needed repairs you are out of business. Most people don't think about maintenance or having to make unexpected repairs when they buy a truck. There are times when you can spend more on repairs than you do on payments. Just because you buy a new truck doesn't necessarily mean that you won't have mechanical problems. There are those who have bought new trucks who seem to spend as much or more time in the shop than they do driving.

You do have a certain amount of freedom when you own the truck. You are also tied to the costs and payments whether the truck moves or not. If you buy more truck than you can comfortably afford then you may find yourself being a slave to the truck. You may be working harder for less money than if you worked as a company driver. Many people come into this business with unrealistic expectations. The same could be said about truck ownership. Remember, the truck isn't yours until you make the last payment. It belongs to the lender.

tracer · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 232 Location: Guelph, ON, Canada

I bought a slightly used truck with 165k miles on the odometer, and still put in about 12 grand in it during the first year. Interest rates on used trucks are higher than on new ones but I'm paying only 1600 a month for mine, while a buddy at our firm is shelling out 2500/mo for a new Volvo. Of course he didn't have to spend 12 grand on repairs/updates but still I figure I'm making more money. I used to think a new truck is better, but lately have changed my mind - mainly because my truck runs great. I'm leased to a company and only own the truck ... pulling dry van trailers. Word of caution: you do 99% of driving on interstates and basically stare at gray concrete all day long. There is scenery of course but after a couple of years you stop noticing it. I've been getting by thanks to audiobooks and satellite radio (later canceled) but I'm finding the lack of human contact during driving to be the worst part about long-haul driving. If you like being by yourself 10 hours a day, then it's a great job - no one bothers you :) If you're a sociable type (like me), you'll find it pretty boring after a while. Personally, I"m thinking of getting into real estate and becoming a mortgage broker. That's just me ... Everyone is different. Oh - one more thing ... When I started driving I soon realized how sedentary the job is: I stop every couple of hours and still there's nothing I can do during the 2 hours I'm driving. I cannot just get up and stretch or go to a washroom or walk around the room (like you can do if you work in an office). BUT: despite all the drawbacks of the profession (including the lower life expectancy of long-haul truckers compared to the general population) I have never made so much money as an owner/operator - honest. I mean, 4 grand in 2 weeks is a pretty good paycheck. It doesn't happen each time, but still - if you do the miles, the money will find you. So, for now I keep on trucking because the mortgage broker course doesn't start until fall and because I have to renovate and furnish my new apartment :)

Doghouse · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 975

I do it because I want to drive trucks, screw broads, and get money, just like Rev, Steve O, and Gman

Rev.Vassago · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

Doghouse wrote: I do it because I want to drive trucks, screw broads, and get money, just like Rev, Steve O, and Gman

I changed my mind. I want to drive broads, screw money, and get trucks.

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