I'd like to know a few things:

How much will it cost to get IFTA appoved?

How much will it cost to get Insurance covering the truck, trailer and load up to $750 thousand?

How much will it cost to get the truck and trailer numbered, lettered and getting your own authority?

How much will it cost to get a GOOD used truck (seen some trucks, mainly flat tops, run as low as $11 thousand) and how much will a GOOD used trailer (still in good condition) run?

Who is a good broker to work with? If i do not get my own authority.

I've seen these kinds of questions scattered throughout this forum, i may have to do some research on this forum to find them.

 

Now let me tell you what you need , a good 4 car rollback, I might just know where you can buy one. :lol:

 

It doesn't cost anything for IFTA. Some states do have fees for their own version separate from IFTA, such as New Mexico and New York. New Mexico is $2/per truck per year. I don't recall what New York charges. You can go to their website for those costs. You will need your authority, DOT number and proof of insurance before you can set up an IFTA account.

I have no idea of what your insurance will cost. Everyone is different. It will depend on your driving experience, credit history, what you haul and where the truck will be housed and run. You could spend from $6,000-20,000 or more per year. You will need to contact some insurance company for rates.

I think I paid about $24 per truck for lettering or signage. Hand lettering will cost more. Authority costs $300. You will need proof of insurance and registered agents in every state in which you will do business before authority will be granted. You will also need to buy a truck before you will usually be able to get insurance. It is vehicle specific.

You can buy a good truck between $15-25,000. You didn't mention the type of trailer you plan on pulling. A van can be purchased from about $3,500-6,500. A decent flat bed can run from $8-12,000. Tarps, binders, chains, etc. should run around $2,200.

Brokers don't work with you unless you have authority.

 

Gman,

I prefer Dry Vans, either a Great Dane or Fruehauf. I know there might be a few other types of Dry Van trailers out there, Great Dane and Fruehauf are more commonly known and seen at some of the truck stops i've been too.

As far as the Rig (tractor) is concerned, i perfer a Freightshaker, International or a Volvo (perferrably Volvo) over Pete's and Kenworths. I may have to buy a piece of garbage truck (under 20 thousand) just to get started and to save for a better rig.

I also read on another thread about Progressive giving O/O's a quote for insurance on there rigs and trailers. Are there any other insurance companies that will give quotes?

I also appreciate your input, Gman. i do want to state i do respect your posts (regardless if i disagree with them).

 

Just because a truck costs less than $20,000 doesn't mean that it is a piece of garbage. I have bought several under $20,000 and had good service out of them. You don't have to spend $60,000 to get a good truck.

Without experience Progressive is about the only game around. Some states have what is called a shared risk pool. You may want to check with an agent in your area. Otherwise, you will likely be limited to Progressive for the first year or two. There are not that many companies who write commercial truck insurance.

 

Kreeper, I see you´ve been inquiring about employment for the last year or two here. Did anyone ever pick u up_ I´m not on here all that much, just curious. Wondering why you want to go o-o independent. Either way, Gman has your back, but watch the posts from Pepe and Steve Booth and learn from others mistakes.

Good luck! 8)

 

I've been reading other O/O's posts on there previous experiences with Brokers, insurance companies, and the list goes on and on.

Being an O/O with my own authority or working for an O/O is possibly my only 2 options i have. I'd like to run, make money without trying to kill myself, wreck the truck, kills someone else or the combination of the 3 to earn an honest paycheck. If you know of someone that needs a driver, Bandit, please let me know.

 

Also the 3rd possibility is buying your own truck but running under someone else's authority such as JB Hunt and etc.

 

Your options would be greatly enhanced if you would wait to purchase a truck until you get at least 2 years of driving experience. It will be much less expensive to buy insurance at that point and you will have a better understanding of the business. This isn't a foot race where you need to be the first to cross the finish line. It is much more important to learn, save your money and take the time to educate yourself on what you want and need in a truck. If you track expenses while driving for someone, you will have a greater understanding as to what it will cost to run a truck. It isn't cheap. Whether you buy a new truck or an old one, you need to have enough money put aside to take care of unexpected expenses. The worst thing you can do is buy a truck that you cannot afford and not be able to have it repaired when it breaks. They all break down.