This is prolly the best trucking froum I have read !!! straightforward and honest answers. i am taking so many notes, and it will help me once I finish cdl school next month.
02-27-2009 12:03 AM by
GMAN
Most lease programs have very high truck payments. In addition you are responsible for all maintenance and other expenses just as you would had you purchased the truck out right. You can purchase a truck and spend less on payments than if you lease a truck from one of these carriers. It will usually require you to have a down payment and decent credit. Most will also want to see from 6 months to 2 years driving experience. The longer you have driven the better. You can buy a decent truck for less than $20,000, probably less with today's economy. There is no reason to spend $50,000 or more on a truck starting out. If you opt for the less expensive truck you will have a much lower payment which will be more easily managed than a big payment. That can help when we are in a down economy such as now. A good used truck won't depreciate as quickly as a newer one with very low miles. Buying a less expensive truck means that you can more easily make those payments or pay it off early. You can buy a good used truck and have a monthly payment comparable to what you would spend per week on a lease truck. One other thing. Most of these carriers who offer lease trucks have cheap freight. Don't make the mistake so many before you have made. You want to be an owner operator so badly that you are willing to do anything to achieve your goal. Save your money and either wait until you can pay cash or put a good down payment together. You will also want to put money aside for any major repairs. Keep in mind that you can have a major breakdown whether you have a new or older truck. If you don't have the funds to make the repairs you are out of business.
I would not own my own truck because then you are responsible for your own maintenance, and unless you have experience in being a mechanic, it could get expensive to have to hire one.
03-03-2009 09:34 PM by
jcu
Thanks again
I just wanted to tell eveone that gave me there input THANKS SO MUCH:clap: I hope I run into you all some time on the road. You all have been a great help and I can only hope that there are more guys out there like you all.
try gettimg a couple of years exp. first, then decide if you really want the headache of being o/o. learn what freight you like to haul, what equipment is best fr you, what area of country you want to run. learn the basic maintaince for the truck you gonna buy, find a good mechanic you are happy working with. buy all the extra equipment you will want and need to make life on the road comfortable now while running as company driver, when you become o/o it will be harder to find that extra cash for those toys. truck repairs are not cheap. i paid $800. for a 2001 freight shaker oil pan last year, i am sure if i had an extra vehicle and the time i could of gotten it for less than $100 at a wrecking yard, but, i never had a breakdown when sitting at home. i was loaded and broke down in louisanna along side i20, so i also paid $400 for a tow, all done it cost around $1600. just 1 example of repairs you need to do right now, not later. get some exp and learn the ins and outs at the companys expense. good luck
04-20-2009 03:28 PM by
GaBoy
old guy starting new job!
Hi everyone, i'm a long time reader,but a new member. I live west of atlanta out near six flags i'm having to start over since the remodeling business went south back in 07. I attended TDI down in forsyth ga back in march and finish school on april 10 th. I have orietations with werner and roehl,but leaning toward roehl.Ialso talk to recruiter @ swift here in atlanta and they are in a hiring freeze.I've heard and read to many things about werner and swift,but not much on roehl.Anyway just wanted to say hi !
04-21-2009 02:07 AM by
GMAN
I don't recall any negative comments about Roehl. We have had a few members who have worked for them. As far as I can recall they are a decent company. You can do a search on the board and see what pops up.