Quote:
Originally Posted by pigrider
Here Goes!!
I make any where from high 5 figures to low 6 figures yearly. But I am beginning to hate this job more and more!
Ironicly I load flatbed trucks with a Taylor forklift for a living. LOL
My plans are to take some money out of my retirement and purchase in full a late model Pete and a flatebed trailer (in full).
I have heard and read all kinds of trucker stories about the pay. Anywhere from making $150 -$200K yearly (before expenses) to just barely making it. Without a truck and trailer payment can I make a good living?
I am a little nervous and my wife is also very concerned to say the least!
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That $150-200k figure is gross and can be misleading. With a paid for truck and a sharp eye for the bottom line you will be able to retain 35-45% of that as net.
As a benchmark I'll earn $40k this year working 40-45hrs per week as a dockworker/yard goat driver in LTL land. The other guy I trained with is earning ~$60k as a night line driver. Some of our senior line drivers who work 60-70hrs/week gross $75-85k.
Unless you have your own authority you are merely trading dollars and buying yourself a job. You net take home after all expenses will be in the range of what a company driver earns. By owning your own equipment you are taking on significant additional headache and risk.
Paccar makes a good product but you will pay a significant premium of it; they are the Harley Davidson or Toyota of Big Rigs.
Use the search feature to read most everything by Steve Booth and GMAN on here. Read the "Desk to own authority" threads by Steve. Samuel also has a good thread & blog on here about running for Swift flatbed.
The Steve B school of jump into the deep end (O/O with own authority) to learn to swim is not for everyone.
If I were you I'd look into hiring on with a good 1st rate flatbed outfit like TMC to A) See if you and your spouse can adapt to the lifestyle B) Get some quality training and make some of the inevitable N00B mistakes. Going that route if you and/or the Mrs. decide its not for you you're able to just turn in the truck and walk away no harm no foul.
If you go and take $80-140k from retirement savings for a shiny new Petercar you could easily take a $25-50k hit if you decide this is not for you.
Good Luck.
Ian