When is the best time to get into trucking?

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Old 09-30-2006, 10:53 AM
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Default When is the best time to get into trucking?

I'm already in but I ask because I've never heard anyone say now is the time. They always say now is not the time (i've been hearing this for 10 years). I just wanted to hear from some experienced guys to see if you know the answer and have some humor added to this sometimes depressing industry that we are in.
 
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Old 09-30-2006, 11:00 AM
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when you feel its time for a divorce
 
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Old 09-30-2006, 11:05 AM
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OK, I'll bite. It depends on your individual situation and which aspect of the business you want to enter. If you are talking about becoming a driver, entering the business during a slow time can be good because you may not feel as pushed to hurry and learn everything. You can have a little more time to learn some of the basics. If you are talking about becoming an owner operator, a slow down could be good if you are flush with cash. If you have the money or decent credit, you can probably get a good buy in a good used truck. A slow time is not necessarily a good time to buy a new truck. You don't want high payments or debt when the economy is slow. If you can find a good deal in a good used truck, it can work to your advantage to get into this business during a slow down. When things pick up, you will be ready to run.
 
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Old 09-30-2006, 01:48 PM
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When you've just spent the last four years of your life examining whether or not you exist and you finally just agree with your parents that you do indeed exist and you are taking up space and you are eating food and you cost money and you need to get your be-hind out of the house and get a job. That, or one of the millions of slight variants of it.
 
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Old 09-30-2006, 01:52 PM
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I say get in when it's slow if you can survive the tough times the good times will be gravy and you'll what to expect. That being said I agree with Gman about used equipment. My theory on used stuff is buy it old enough that you can pay cash for it so if you have a bad month you don't have a payment hanging over your head on top of your repair bills. Either that or buy new enough to still have good warranty coverage.
 
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Old 09-30-2006, 02:05 PM
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Are you kidding?
When it's the best time to be born, or die? Win, or loose?
There is no such thing! :P
 
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Old 10-01-2006, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by solo379
Are you kidding?
When it's the best time to be born, or die? Win, or loose?
There is no such thing! :P
This is my opinion also, but i also agree with used equipment and slow times. I always hear people say now is not the time, however, I bet they have never owned a truck tire, let alone a truck. Thanks for your replies.
 
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Old 10-01-2006, 11:56 AM
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Well, its my time now after a hiatus of 26 years. I start refresher tomorrow morning in hopes that this will be the first step back into Driving that I left many years ago and the goal of ownership within 12 months.

I am definately taking the advice of a low truck payment ( 700-900) and a decent amount of cash reserves for the tougher times...
 
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Old 10-01-2006, 12:00 PM
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I think whenever you have the money. Slow times will wash out a lot of people. If you're set up and ready you can take advantage of the situation by having cash that the others don't.
 
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Old 10-01-2006, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by LOAD IT
Originally Posted by solo379
Are you kidding?
When it's the best time to be born, or die? Win, or loose?
There is no such thing! :P
This is my opinion also, but i also agree with used equipment and slow times. I always hear people say now is not the time, however, I bet they have never owned a truck tire, let alone a truck. Thanks for your replies.
Hey LOAD IT!! We have not argued in some time?! Pick a subject, its your turn. 8)
 

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