USA CDL JOBS TRUCK DRIVER FORUM

I WAS THINKING OF BUYING A TRUCK AND RUNNING UNDER MY AUTHORITY. DOES ANYONE ON HERE RECOMMEND THIS OR JUST STAYING A COMPANY DRIVER. IF SO PLS INFORM ME ON WHAT COST ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OWNING A TRUCK AND WHAT I CAN EXPECT TO MAKE. I WANT TO DETERMINE IF ITS WORTH DOING.

Becoming an Owner Operator is like opening any other business. It takes time before you ever see a profit. You have to build a customer base if you are going to run under your own authority. You must have a newer truck and its also good to have a reefer trailer so you can haul both dry and refrigerated freight.You will have a high overhead (tags plates fuel taxes ect.) If you are just getting into wanting to own a truck, I would consider leasing on and running under someone else's authority at first so you can learn the ropes. There are A LOT of costs, and paperwork for running under your own authority and if you do not have an established customer base YOU WILL CRASH AND BURN FAST !. Leasing on with a 100% owner operator company would be the only way to go at first, leasing on with a big company like USXpress or one like that is NOT a good idea, you will starve because they will take care of their own trucks before they take care of you, that's just common sense. Roadrunner/Dawes would be a good option as well as Landstar. Leasing on with one of those will let you learn the ropes and you wont starve to death.. that's my opinion anyway, hopefully someone else will weigh in on this for you as well. I own a truck and trailer with apportioned tags and I lease it out to a company that hauls gen freight, and it usually breaks even, but I don't keep it on the road 24 / 7 either, I will make a little money when I sell the truck but for the most part it just made the payments, but your situation is totally different. Hope this helps !
and welcome to the board!

I will add this as well,I noticed this was posted under new to trucking, and if you haven't been in the industry for awhile, and you are just getting started, you would be better off filing for bankruptcy now because if you don't know the business you will not make it as an owner operator, and most insurance companies will not insure you,and most companies will not allow a non experienced driver to haul their freight.....I am not saying you CANT do it, I'm saying it will be very tough on you... I know O/O that have been trucking for years that have failed lately..... also MOST lease purchase plans are a joke so beware of that as well..

i have heard the good and bad about owning a rig. But it is hard from what I gather. Just be sure you do A LOT of research into it before running into the fire. This is like owning your very own business and you just can not open it up and except it too run well the first day. And it if it fails the payments/bills/etc just doesn't go away.

It's a big responsibility.

Taino I have asked the same question. I have been given all types of advice negative and positive; Ole Wise Kidd gave a very balanced response. I like you still believe; or want to believe it is possible to make money with a truck. I am a late bloomer and need to own my own. I can see the logic in leasing on with your own truck, for maintenance, tire discounts, plates etc.. I believe is worth taking basic pay
till you understand how to stand on your own as owner operator.
I also have issues with false DAC reporting. I went to a school then to an associated truck company could not continue at entry level pay; and family problems as well could not finish the one year needed to get reimbursement. It was mostly my circumstance; they did not feel obligated to help me with my problems. I had to leave; mentally ill child and losing my house. Wife could not handle it all. I did not handle the separation well, it was a very emotional time. You all know what followed DAC castration. I have not given up on trucking though.

Roland have you posted under the DAC FIX category? Go over there and ask Joni a question about cleaning up your DAC, she might be able to help... and welcome to the board!!!