[pepe4158]

Wouldve bought a step-deck flatbed tho....not dry van dry van suxs for rates vs flatbed.

Originally Posted by Fiddler

If somebody put a magic crystal ball in front of you before you started out years ago, showing you exactly how your life as an owner/operator would be and the state of the business today, would you have gone ahead? Would you want your son to follow in your footsteps?
I have a good reason for asking. I'm thinking of taking the leap myself.

OH YES !!!!!

I'd do it all again. Every single minute of it. But I might make a few changes. It's cost me 3 marriages so far ( we will see how this half chinese and half Korean handles it next year !!! ) but I would'nt miss it for anything. A lot of fun and a TON of work but nothing (except the DOT stuff) that I would'nt do again. That includes this Iraq gig too .

[GMAN]

If you have never driven a truck, I would suggest getting some driving experience before buying a truck. You will get a better idea of whether this is something for you without risking your capital or credit. There are some people who get into this business and find that it isn't their cup of tea. It is easier to walk away when you don't have any money on the line.

[Ian Williams]

Originally Posted by LOAD IT

Being an owneroperator/small carrier is a great position to be in as long as you are profitable with a good business plan. Dont jump into it with no customers, broker freight will run you broke. Also specialize in something or should I say be versatile, if you have a van, have vents, straps, pads, palletjack, a ramp. If you flatbed, have all tarps, cornerboards, straps and chains, do oversize work. My point is when you are small, you have to offer more to the customer than just the truck. They will pay for your services. Brokers get a lot of customers because they offer to move several loads a day for the customer even though they may only move 3 in a week. You could move 3 in a week for local customers and make a living with one truck.

Well Said

If I were to go O/O I'd get a 53' multi zone reefer with a lift gate or a set of doubles with that cool widget that lets you lock in the con-gear and back them as one unit. I'd also have a pintle hook on my 53' so I could pull a pup in the LCV states. I'd be the master of the multi stop load. With a single 28 trailer you pickup and deliver to all sorts of places that a 48' or 53' can't get to. You can also run some roads what have length restrictions.

Heck if I was going to be a local O/O I'd buy a beat up LTL tractor for $3-5k for ultra low overhead.