new driver questions

[aaronfisher]

i got a cupple of questions for someone who is thinking of getting in to trucking would it be better after i get my license to try and get hired for a company or go out and buy my own truck and tow company trailers? and if i was to get my own cab how should i charge the companys by the hour or by distance and should i get all the permits i could need like TDG and oversize and overwight sorry for any misspellings

 

[charlee_09]

I'm thinking of JB Hunts lease program,what's better 57% of revenue and 100% fuel surcharge pd.or percentage rate base per mile.
They also say if I don't like it I can turn in the truck after 90 days.

 

[Biker]

Unless you're confident in your abilities and have run a small business before, I wouldn't purchase my own truck until I had a LOT of experience under my belt and knew exactly what I was doing. Too many folks buy a truck thinking they'll just be able to be told where to go, and that's it. You need to approach it as a business, and starting a new business in these times is risky at best.

 

[aaronfisher]

what is the average cost of running a rig per year

 

[Biker]

My lease/insurance costs alone were approximately 24,000 yearly. Now you have to add fuel costs, service every two months, tires, breakdowns (I was a trainer, and students are HARD on trucks!) and misc. costs.

Today's economic environment makes it extremely difficult to strike out on your own. Unless you have something to back up your income with, this isn't the time to do it.

 

[aaronfisher]

thats where i think im lucky is that my gf can handle all the household expences on her wages and i can aford a use truck with what i got saved up and i know of a cupple of companys that hire owner operatoirs around here

 

[Biker]

Strike one.... Unless your relationship is extremely strong, you're in trouble. In order to make some serious cash on the road, you have to STAY on the road. Starting out, I wouldn't expect to be home on weekends. I wouldn't expect to be home at all for weeks at a time. Always remember, if your wheels aren't turning, you aren't making squat.

 

[patriciajnsn]

arron,how much truck driving exp do you have?If you're just starting out why would you want to become an owner operator? You have to start from ground zero and work your way up.I have over 4 yrs over the road exp and after hearing all the headaces,nitemares the cost an o/o faces on a daily basis,i'm just going to stay a company driver.Besides I personally think NOW IS NOT THE TIME at least here in America it isn't.In case you have'nt heard,OUR ECOMONY IS IN REAL REAL BAD SHAPE.I strongly suggest you theink STRONG AND HARD before you pirchase a trk.

 

[aaronfisher]

ive driven 3 ton trucks for almost 2 years now and am working my way up to 18 wheelers and ive been checking the job banks and everyone wants exp but i was thinking that if i had my own truck the exp i have wouldnt be as important

 

[patriciajnsn]

I got news for you aaron,noone will hire you as an o/o unless you have the exp.Why are you in such a hurry to become an o/o?

 

[aaronfisher]

lack of understanding of the industry

 

[patriciajnsn]

I know it arron,if you just start from ground zero like I mentioned then work your way up.I don't know anybody who is an o/o without being a company driver first.See companies won't let anybody deliver their freight unless you have some exp.That's why companies have trainers.You should give it a try first as a company driver which you really don't have a choice anyhow.Then after a yr or so decide if being an o/o is what you really want to do.It's not cheap.Do you know how much fuel a driver buys daily,my guess if $500.00.Now that's alot of money.Hang in there arron.Don't be in such a hurry.

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

My hubby is an o/o and has been for approx. 11 years... My advice to you would be NOT to become an o/o right now... Frieght is dirt cheap and we're not making enough money to live on and we don't have a truck not either....

 

[aaronfisher]

could i use my exp driving a 3 ton on a resume for drivng 18 wheelers

 

[Biker]

Let's see... 3 ton experience and you're going to be guiding 40 tons. In a word? No.

There's a ton of experience on this board, and I've yet to see someone recommend a noob go O/O without first learning the ropes, unless that noob has been around the industry for a very long time. Even then, just because you've been around, doesn't mean you have the business sense to make it on your own.

Let me ask you a question.. After you purchase that truck, and are making payments, what are you going to do in 6 months when you decide that between the slow freight and the bitchin' you're getting from the home front for not being home isn't worth the hastle of the job? This isn't for everyone, especially those just starting out and expecting to be home every weekend. It isn't going to happen.

 

[Cerberus]

could i use my exp driving a 3 ton on a resume for drivng 18 wheelers

thats only 6000 pounds. if i am not mistaken, aren't there dually pick up trucks that weigh that much ? and answer your question, NO. two totally different class vehicles. class A exp is driving a truck that weighs 26,001 or more.