Comments By Texas Tim

I had a NET income from driving of more than $75,000 in 2021 just as a company driver. I also netted an income in excess of $250,000 through real estate, military retirement, and two other businesses I have interests in, stocks, and gambling. My trucking expenses were food, clothing, and entertainment. Nothing extra that I wouldn't have already needed or wanted to consume, partake of, or utilize on the road or not driving.

People who argue that lease is the way to make more money make me laugh uncontrollably.

Please factually post ALL your numbers on here and show all us dummies how you're killing it, okay? I want to see everything that came in and everything that went out or is pending. Maintenance, fuel, settlements, taxes, insurance, workers compensation, accounting, down time, salary, equipment rentals, etc.....ALL OF IT. Prove to us how much we don't get it. Sell me on leasing as opposed to being a company driver. You can't.

You guys always do one of three things:

1. Post incomplete or inaccurate numbers.

2. Make ignorant arguments with nothing factual to prove the rants.

3. Go silent and disappear.

*HINT* Nobody has come on here yet in 15 years to prove our theory wrong, so be the first. Show me how it is worthwhile to struggle to make maybe 10 cents more per mile. Prove Me Wrong! Until you do, I'm done wasting my time typing.

Besides I never said I was trying to be some damn poster child for lease ops I just don't know why several of you treat me like an idiot for making a decision that works for me and my family

Let's start with the previous month. It will take me a little while to get my other statements but I have this on hand. It has some year to date numbers. I know several company drivers and they make around $900-1000 a week. You can see from the statement I'm averaging twice that.

I had a NET income from driving of more than $75,000 in 2021 just as a company driver. I also netted an income in excess of $250,000 through real estate, military retirement, and two other businesses I have interests in, stocks, and gambling. My trucking expenses were food, clothing, and entertainment. Nothing extra that I wouldn't have already needed or wanted to consume, partake of, or utilize on the road or not driving.

People who argue that lease is the way to make more money make me laugh uncontrollably.

Please factually post ALL your numbers on here and show all us dummies how you're killing it, okay? I want to see everything that came in and everything that went out or is pending. Maintenance, fuel, settlements, taxes, insurance, workers compensation, accounting, down time, salary, equipment rentals, etc.....ALL OF IT. Prove to us how much we don't get it. Sell me on leasing as opposed to being a company driver. You can't.

You guys always do one of three things:

1. Post incomplete or inaccurate numbers.

2. Make ignorant arguments with nothing factual to prove the rants.

3. Go silent and disappear.

*HINT* Nobody has come on here yet in 15 years to prove our theory wrong, so be the first. Show me how it is worthwhile to struggle to make maybe 10 cents more per mile. Prove Me Wrong! Until you do, I'm done wasting my time typing.

You just admitted you have all kinds of other income to supplement not making much as a company driver so what does that prove?? I have 6 people including myself I am providing for and this is the only way I've been able to do it. I don't have to prove anything to you nor do I care to. This works for me and I could care less how much that upsets you! The fact that you're getting upset about it is childish anyway. I could give you all the numbers you want, hell I'll post every single one of my statements. I could care less!

You went lease? Why? Get out of that if possible ASAP. You're going to have better odds playing the lottery each week.

TONS of articles on this site about why to never, ever lease.

I don’t work for free. No point in being away from home for months at a time if I can’t pay my bills. I have been able to do that as a lease op. Pretty well actually

That's nice. I'm sure Wilson appreciates you guys making their truck payments, hauling their freight goods, picking up most of the maintenance costs, reducing their tax burden, and offsetting a lot of the depreciation on their (it does read "Wilson" on the title) trucks. Makes me want to be a company owner or a 3 Card Monte dealer right now.

I assume you own your own truck, which I'm sure is awesome and because of that you make good money, but do you honestly think most of us have the credit or capital to do that?? Do you expect us all to be company drivers? That pays less than minimum wage so no thank you.

You went lease? Why? Get out of that if possible ASAP. You're going to have better odds playing the lottery each week.

TONS of articles on this site about why to never, ever lease.

I don’t work for free. No point in being away from home for months at a time if I can’t pay my bills. I have been able to do that as a lease op. Pretty well actually

Tim, what amenities does your truck have?

Pretty standard stuff. Comes with a fridge and a closet, sleeper controls for temperature. I bought a microwave and an electric skillet and cook to save money. Truck stops are outrageously expensive.

I'll add a few more pictures of some of the places I've seen. I've been to nearly all of the lower 48 and have mostly seen traffic and white lines but occasionally I see some of our beautiful country.

Quick update: been running as hard as possible. Wilson has been good to me. I really like my Fleet Manager. He's a solid guy that keeps me rolling. Lease op has been good. Averaging between $1700 to $2000 a week. The summer months have been down a little but still making money. Will have a year under my belt in a couple months so we'll see if any opportunities open up then. Not getting home very often, about once every 4 to 6 weeks. Have a new grandbaby tho! I got a puppy for the truck too. His name is Toby. I'll post some pictures of them.

Mountain Matt is leaving Wilson for another company driving tanker. Good luck Matt!

So since everyone here is so critical of the deep end of the pool I've jumped into, what are you suggesting I do? Go back to being a company driver and making less than I can afford to make? I've been very clear that $900-$1000/week is barely enough to pay my bills. If that's the case trucking is not worth the sacrifice. Because I only see 3 options here... company (not enough money), lease (too much risk), or owner op (don't have the credit). So instead of telling me I made a mistake how about telling me either how to succeed or to get out while I can!

I know none of you know me but I'm not stupid. I'm not some naive 25 year old that thinks $4100 a week is sustainable or that it didn't start during the previous week. It was a perfect storm. The week before I was just starting out and made a couple mistakes and only had one load on payroll. The next load started before payroll ended and spilled into the next week and really helped the next week out. Do I care? Nope! More money! As long as I start the week paying my expenses then the other loads are towards my profits. I'm running this like an owner op so I need suggestions on how to be the best one I can.

What is your maintenance cost per mile?

What is your fixed cost to operate the truck?

What is your percentage of loaded miles and deadhead miles?

How much are you setting aside for maintenance?

How much are you setting aside for quarterly taxes?

What is the fuel surcharge average since you started?

How much are you paying yourself per mile?

Are you performing any scheduled and unscheduled maintenance?

Do you have an accountant that is proficient with truckers needs?

These are all really good questions! Can you help me answer them??