I wish you all the best in your new business venture :D

-keep back $10,000 in mait & repairs for the truck in year 1.
-seems like I always have about $25,000 in outstanding invoices at any given time......
-what type of trailer are you contemplating?

I'm really leaning toward a 53' stepdeck, but I'm still realing from the sticker shock, and have found many decent used ones.

There are trailers everywhere down here in Texas but the prices are still way up there for some reason.

I'm still haven't made a final decision on where I'm going to run, I'm waiting on more insurance quotes to come in, but most likely, I will stay regional for a while.

jonboy

Settle on a 48' of you can't get a good deal on a 53'. Many states allow lots of rear overhang anyway.

I personally believe there is more profit to be made by being regional in a good area. Is it going to cost you alot more for ins to plate all 48? Sometimes you get a really good paying load out of your area and trip permits are a pain.

I've been looking at insurance for a 500 mile radius from dallas, and that will allow me to go to Laredo, OKC, and Louisiana, and there is a lot of freight around. I can get plates for Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana and just see what happens. I can also do power only in Texas without getting stranded as an independent.

The quotes I've been getting is about $4000 more per year for 48 states, plus the plates. With my inexperience, I think I might be better off staying close to home until learn how to work with brokers. The last thing I need is more fixed expenses. I'm kind of torn about this because I really want to run out west, but I'm not sure I can make the additional money to offset the higher insurance and plates.

I talked to one of the guys from Boyd Bros. and they they have a pretty cool load board that has the money posted on it. You just click on it to accept the load and you get a confirming email. No calling in.

I'm making a long list of load boards to access.

jonboy

There are quite a few broker who mostly seem to work around Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. You should be able to earn a decent living in those areas. As someone mentioned, you could lose out on some better paying loads going outside of your area, but staying near your base will keep costs lower until you gain some experience. Good luck.

Couldnt help but chuckle after reading your post; i did 1o years as a driver-trainer for a big Co. and now am a own Auth o/op
Funny tho....I seem to get some of my best rates from Schneider logestics

Best of luck Jonboy! Looking forward to you future posts on how it goes.

Thanks Mcnewbie, Pepe, it didn't take me long to figure out they were out sourcing a lot of freight. On the Schneider website is says the Logistics side has grown 150%, and I believe it.

A lot of the major companies are doing more and more brokering to outsiders which should be helping the independents.

In my situation, it is hard to lease on with limited experience, so it has kind of forced my into being independent, which was where I wanted to be in the first place. I'm not complaining, but I'd be lying to say I have my moments of uneasiness. I think I won't feel better till I hit the road in a couple of weeks.

jonboy

Jonboy how much total exp. do you have