Posted: 1/15/2025 6:44:09 PM EDT
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Got my CDL A back in 2016 and did OTR for awhile then worked for a town near me driving their trucks. Well, I'm looking to get back into OTR and Local. I want to do an owner operator thing maybe my own authority maybe signing on with a company. So looking at trucks. I went through a rough time financially these last couple of years so my credit aint good. How do I get into a truck? I don't have a ton down and I am not wanting to do a lease purchase if possible. If you were in this situation what would you do? |
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Originally Posted By GlockPride: Work for someone else and use their truck until I had enough money to buy your own. Being an O/O is a tough gig, many try, few make it work. |
USN Retired: APR 1988 - MAY 2008
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
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Originally Posted By Seabee_Mech: Or just keep driving company equipment. My cousin is an O/O and I drive a company truck. We both do big heavy haul stuff. His net income and mine work out about the same (when he doesn't get hit with a major repair). The difference is if I break down, I still get paid sitting in a hotel with per diem where he's not making any money, if my truck is down long term, I run just a different truck. Being an O/O is a tough gig, many try, few make it work. This man knows. |
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Well, most guys who decide to be owner operators drive Petes for a reason. Paccar has some lease options but unless you know how to keep that left door closed and work yourself to death, you are a break-down away from financial ruin. I run a fleet of 12 for a family business and there is no way I'd do it on my own as an owner operator. I mean, yes, people do it all day every day, but after years in this business I haven't met many drivers that make good business decisions. The few I do know that are "making it" have more than one truck and driver and it is a constant fight. Just hire on with a good company. You don't want to deal with the headache of DMV, DOT, and FMCSA compliance all the while trying to drum up business for yourself. If you need contacts for potential job opportunities, I can see what I can come up with but it is a brutal business for ownership. |
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Originally Posted By Seabee_Mech: Or just keep driving company equipment. My cousin is an O/O and I drive a company truck. We both do big heavy haul stuff. His net income and mine work out about the same (when he doesn't get hit with a major repair). The difference is if I break down, I still get paid sitting in a hotel with per diem where he's not making any money, if my truck is down long term, I just run a different truck. Being an O/O is a tough gig, many try, few make it work. To pivot off of your post, I do agree that specialization is where its at. Learn to drive the big stuff or the expensive stuff. And you said what I was trying to say about breakdowns and maintenance much better than I did. |
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Originally Posted By Clan_McIntyre: To pivot off of your post, I do agree that specialization is where its at. Learn to drive the big stuff or the expensive stuff. And you said what I was trying to say about breakdowns and maintenance much better than I did. |
USN Retired: APR 1988 - MAY 2008
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
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skierbri10, I don't know where in CO you are but the company I work for has a few openings for Drivers and Driver/Riggers in Denver, Colorado Springs and Windsor. Not sure it would be something you're interested in. We offer a path to becoming a NCCCO certified crane operator or Heavy Haul and aggressively move people up within the company. We prefer someone with at least 3 years of Class "A" experience. It's more than just a driving job, you have to get out and work as a Rigger as well as drive but the pay and opportunities are very good. PM me and I can send you a link to see the openings Other cranes companies to look at in CO would be Duffy, Winslow, Lampson. |
USN Retired: APR 1988 - MAY 2008
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
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We had three very experienced guys leave my company a few years ago and buy shiny new Peterbilt car haulers. These guys had been around a block a few times and knew most of the ins and outs of car hauling. Two of them sold the trucks and got back into a company truck after a couple of years. The headache wasn't worth the wee bit of extra money. The last guy is still in his but because of shifting business strategies doesn't haul for us. He's out there hustling for loads. I see him on the road from time to time (same freight lanes) and the dude looks beat to shit. He's younger than me but you'd never know it. Let someone else pay for the truck. Don't 1099 it. Have benefits. A 401k. |
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Originally Posted By Seabee_Mech: skierbri10, I don't know where in CO you are but the company I work for has a few openings for Drivers and Driver/Riggers in Denver, Colorado Springs and Windsor. Not sure it would be something your interested in. We offer a path to becoming a NCCCO certified crane operator or Heavy Haul and aggressively move people up within the company. We prefer someone with at least 3 years of Class "A" experience. It's more than just a driving job, you have to get out and work as a Rigger as well as drive but the pay and opportunities are very good. PM me and I can send you a link to see the openings Other cranes companies to look at in CO would be Duffy, Winslow, Lampson. |
| I agree with you all on the challenges, but I need something that is more flexible with schedule. I did company driver at Voyager Express back in 2017, 2018. They were pretty good about getting me home and getting time off, but still had to deal with some forced dispatch. That was a different than this time though. I think I found my way back, but until I get there I will still listen to all your opinions, then I will still listen. lol |
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I had a friend that did OTR for about 5 years, had his own truck and flatbed trailer, and had some kind of contract with Bennett. Last year he was sent out to pickup equipment and the customer would cancel at the last minute, costing him hundreds of dollars in fuel. That happened to him 2 or 3 times, then several breakdowns with DEF systems, etc, so he sold everything and went to work for a contractor that hauls mail. It isn't much better but he is home every night and gets some benefits. Have you looked at the cost of insurance? He was saying that there were some huge increases in the last couple years that made it hard to run solo. |
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If you don't have much for a down payment, then you don't have any when that "new to you" truck breaks down next week. Whatcha gonna do?$? That is reality. I have owned trucks continuously since 2001, I fear dash lights when I look down and I have a spare truck and two spare trailers! Buy a glider or pre 2007 truck is the only advice I can give if you do it anyway. Look for a self dispatch carrier for flexibility. Personally, I'd try to find a decent paying company gig that has flexibility. |
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Originally Posted By skierbri10: Found a truck. Paid cash. Have some in savings still. Trying to lease on with someone as we speak. If I don't go that route I will probably get my own authority. Will get own authority eventually for sure. What did you end up with for a truck? |
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