Please, I would really appreciate only receiving replies from successful Owner/Operators who are not only living it, but have been for quite some time. This is a very serious decision for me and I really only want advice from those that can state facts based on first hand experience. Thanks
Let me first state a few facts about myself, so you understand my individual situation. I'm divorced with no car payment, mortgage or child support. I have bills, but nothing major. I have a class A CDL with TX endorsements and have been driving professionally for just over two years. I've done flatbed(Arrow), reefer(Marten) and van(Arrow & Crete). I'm not interested in ever doing flatbed again and won't even consider reefer until they change the HOS to where I feel I can make enough money and still run legal. I'm open minded about tanker. I have been driving for Crete almost eight months now and am very content.
If I'm to become an O/O, I MUST be leased on to a company that allows me to take part in their group medical insurance plan. Primarily for the prescription drug plan. Otherwise it will be cost prohibitive for me to become an O/O. This is NOT optional and if I can't do this, I can't become an O/O. So as you can see, that severely limits my options right out of the gate.
The good news is that Crete offers it's Owner/Operators just that!
They also have a new or used tractor purchase program and two pay scale options for their O/O.
I've talked to all types of O/O over the last few years. Independents with their own authority, those leased to companies, those doing straight leases and even those doing company lease/purchases. Ideally I would love be able to buy a new truck directly from a dealer and be an O/O with my own authority, but based on my previously mentioned needs am not sure it's fiscally possible/realistic.
Based on what I've learned by talking to all those various O/O and given my personal situation, Here's what I'm seriously considering doing.
I'd buy a used Century from Crete and pay it off ASAP while gaining valuable experience as an independent contractor. I would select pay scale option one and try to run primarily trips 1,200 miles and less, which is 81% of Crete's yearly loads. If after I pay the truck off, I still want to be an O/O, I'll trade the truck in on a new International, Kenworth or Peterbilt. The reason I say those three is that I've been told they're about the only trucks that truly hold their value. I like Volvos, but have been told to avoid them like the plague as an O/O due to maintenance issues. :cry: Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I know most will say to buy from a dealer, not a company. The reason I'm going with Crete is no down payment, decent interest rate, I somewhat know how the trucks have been maintained and they extend the warranty 200,000 miles. Yes, I know Selectrucks does that too and they're not out of the question entirely, but I don't know the maintenance history on them as well and I'd just prefer buying used from Crete.
I guess what I'm asking you to do is take a look at the links containing all the facts I've supplied and with what I've said I plan to do in mind, pick it apart. :wink:
Well that or tell me I've done my homework and to stop being such a chicken and GO FOR IT! :lol:
Thanks in advance.