Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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Even if you bought a truck outright you still have repairs, tags, business registry, truck registry, getting relevant information printed on the truck doors, sometimes fuel, trailer rent or purchase, truck washing, inspections, general maintenance like fluids, property taxes on the truck in some places, business taxes, lawyer and accountant fees (unless you plan on learning business law and accounting). So, you'll pay less due not leasing but you're not going to get a million miles out of a truck without handling everything else that goes into it.
Realist, thanks for the reply. I appreciate the information, and I do understand that with any business there will be expenses. But the big question is, do the benefits justify the expenses. Of course there will be some un-quantifiable variables such as pride of ownership, freedom from forced dispatches, freedom from forced routing (which appears to be calculated by a gaggle of idiots who have never driven more than 5 miles from their homes), etc.. But for now I am just curious.... Is it possible to make more money Owning your tractor and contracting it out to a trucking company? Or, is it only possible to make more money if you own multiple tractors?
Again, thank you for your comments Realist. I am going to work up a complete business plan and the tems you described will help me get started.
Cheers!
Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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Hi all. Everything I have read on this forum about leasing tends to say, "Run away as fast as you can!". I understand the reasons put forth and I surely do agree. But what about a straight purchase and then contracting to a company? Assuming someone has the funds to purchase a truck outright, is there a greater potential to make a better annual salary? I realize there are many variables. If you bought a truck that immediatly caught fire and burned to ashes, well then you would be sceeeroooed. But say you bought a used truck that gave you a million good miles. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Papa-G
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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As does everyone, I absolutely love the High Road Training Series. However, there is one small error in the training portion for Logs, Section 13.2, 34-Hour Restart.
As of December 16, 2014, FMCSA has suspended enforcement of the two 0100 - 0500 periods. So your 34-hour restart does not have to include these time periods anymore. Additionally, they have also supended enforcement of 395.3(d) which states you can only perform one 34-hour restart per week.
This is all good news because it makes the 34-hour restart easier to keep to an actual 34 hours period. Previously the 34-hour restart could cost you as much as 51 hours by trying to encompass the two 0100 - 0500 periods.
Everybody drive safe!
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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I have a ton of spots I stop at to take a bike ride. Getting away from the road and cities is when you start seeing the real beauty. Check out my thread below about my adventures.
Daniel, please tell me more about carrying a bicycle. I am a newbie just finishing up orientation with USX, and i was thinking it would be easy to mount a bike rack/hanger on yhe back of the cab. Where do you store your bike?
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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I just bought my 2015 Rand McNally Deluxe Road Carriers Atlas (spiral bound and laminated) at Petro in Hammond, Louisiana for $19.95 (after $10 mail-in rebate). It is truly awesome. I love maps!
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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Once I am finished teaming with my trainer, my axe will definitely be riding along with me. She's my pet and she doesn't even need to take a potty break! I would love to spend some time jammin with anyone who has a mind to do some pickin'.
Also, I lived aboard a sailboat for 8 years and you can't get a more destructive environment than that. I ruined one nice Taylor by keeping it in a soft gig bag. My current guitar lives in a top of the line hard-case. As long as you have a good hard-case your baby will be fine. Driving big rigs and strokin the ebony.... What could be better.
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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Once I am finished teaming with my trainer, my axe will definitely be riding along with me. She's my pet and she doesn't even need to take a potty break! I would love to spend some time jammin with anyone who has a mind to do some pickin'.
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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If I go to orientation and they ask for hair follicle testing, I plan to say I am morally and religiously opposed to hair sampling for scientific testing because I am a Hairy Krishna.
Make sure you hand them a flower too.
Heck, I'll even sell them a book or two!
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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If I go to orientation and they ask for hair follicle testing, I plan to say I am morally and religiously opposed to hair sampling for scientific testing because I am a Hairy Krishna.
Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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Shifting Gears!!!
I would not spend too much time fretting over the different shifting characteristics of trucks. It appears Most big companies are switching their fleets to automatics.