lol, nope, no lizards last night although I'm starting to question as to if they really exist. I've only heard them on the CB. I'm assuming they are with a previous client, have there own car and CB or are with a driver and work as a team, ya know, he drives and she......well.

I pay 1074$ a month for me, my wife and two newborns medical/dental/vision and 1131$ a month to insure 3 pickup trucks, two kenworths, 2 flatbeds, 1 lowboy and a house and garage full of stuff.

NICA is National Independant Contractors Association. Or something like that. You have to be hooked up to a company that's a member. I don't like the 6 month pre-existing conditon part of the insurance so I didn't take it.

Steve, I can hook you up with some hot mamas in Nashville if you're still there.



What is NICA? :?[/quote]

lol, thanks but I seem to have no lack of women at these truck stops. They must like red because they all want to get into my truck!!! I really must have picked the right one.

My insurance could be cheap because i am younger, but I cannot support that idea. For the really good insurance policy, it was like $280? a month (Blue Cross) - $0 deductible, $10 scripts, etc. My current plan is good for me at this time in my life, and is designed for college kids transitioning to the workforce. The program runs out in about 7 years, as I've had it for about 15 months already.

HTH

How many miles at $1.26 does it take to make a $250/mo inrance bill go away? Its not 250 miles, its more than that :wink:

I'd like to thank you all for posting your advice and opinions. It's been invaluable to me in reaching a decision. One of the main reasons I posted this thread is that at some point in the future I was planning on buying a new Century through Crete to try my hand at being an O/O. I'd heard/read that now is the time to buy a new truck, before they cost seven to ten grand more due to the new particulate filter many of the engine manufacturers are using to meet the new EPA emissions laws. So I felt pressured to make a decision now in order to avoid that cost later. Well, I still plan to become an O/O at some point, but unless something drastic happens to change my mind, like say hitting the lottery, I've decided to remain a company driver with Crete and just save money towards the goal of eventually owning my own trucking business. Once again, thanks to all of you. :)

Good info!
 

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Thats my worry with not doing anything.

I'm researching the O/O bit as well and know a guy that makes about 1.40 a mile pulling reefer. He bought used, 02 Coranado, and is making a good living. He has showed me all his paperwork for the past few months and everything looks good.

Thanks for the info and I will post my experiences as they happen.

Re: Good info!
 

That may be, but you also won't lose your ass and ruin your credit by remaining a company driver. :wink:

[quote="BanditsCousin"]

Overdrive magazine says the avg O/O makes about 45,000/yr.quote]

At the end of the year in July of 07 ill be able to save 5K more than that after all expenses, house/ins/fuel/food/phone/new truck payment/car/road tax....take into concideration that my payment is 1546 per month !


Let me be the first one to say that the only way to make money in this buisiness is to own your own truck, new or used...

[quote="GMAN"]quote]


I don't think it is a good idea for anyone starting out to buy a new truck. Unless you have enough money to pay cash or have a substantial down payment, you cannot afford to make the payments and earn a decent living. I would not want to see anyone just starting out to put themselves under that much pressure.

quote]

I second that, i own new and pay 1546 per month, am a first time buyer but was able to save enough to get me going....

Ill throw some more number figures if anyone wants me too to help out.