I have been trying to decide on what route to take with the business. As most of you have seen, I am on a dedicated run. Currently i get Fri Sat Sun off, but just one line shut-down and my schedule moves to however many days it takes (say they close for 2 days, now I will deliver on Fri instead of Wed)
This leads me to my delima. I like my run, tho it is getting very boring driving the same road everyday and seeing the same crap. This is also in part that my truck is not spec'd to do OTR work either (99 FLD flat-top w/36" sleeper, 10spd and 3.90 rears) I have 2 different routes to take and was wondering your opinions....
1.) Buy a newer truck with better specs and bigger sleeper. I'm currently looking at a 2006 387 w/C-13 430hp (same as my current S60) 13spd and 3.55 rears. 516k miles, new tires all around and brakes, O/O gauge package and full carpet. It will cost me roughly $25k with trading in my current truck
2.) Buy a 48' Flat and keep my current truck and do more local work. Seeing I live in NW Indiana and all we have are steel mills and plants around here. I'm currently looking at a 2008 48' Retinour (sp?) w/fixed spread and full alumnium deck w/nailers. It will cost me $20k out the door with new tires and brakes also.
If I go with the flat, i will have to buy a rack and all the equipment too. i will lease to Landstar to start off and get the wagon paid for, then prob go off and do my own authority.
I like the fact that I can choose my loads, run local and work when I want with the flat, but I also have only 5mos experience doing it.
Only bill I have is my house payment and it's only $900 month, plus all my utilities. Pick-up and bikes are all paid for already, so i don't need to work too much.
I thought that I should go the flat route as it would be easier to sell a complete ready-to-go set-up (truck and trailer) if I decided to get out and do something else or go company.
But with my dedicated gig, I have a guranteed paycheck and know what I'm doing and the loads are VERY light so less wear and tear. And upgrading to a newer Pete is a big plus, and if I wanted, I could always lease on somewhere else and do whatever as well.
I have no problems tarping or doing laborous work, in fact I would welcome it as opposed to the sitting on my ***** for 10hrs a day holding a wheel.
So what do you guys think is a better route????