Buying Own Truck.

How much net pay after the expenses of gas, and stuff would I expect to be earning, assuming my debt is payed off?

Does government assist people who have own truck and is their own boss finding their own loads? I know the the government assists companies like werner giving them a huge check for each student that passes the sit with trainer stage, so werner prioritizes popping out many students as they can. If having own truck and working for self, and no support from the government, wouldn't it be pretty hard thing to pull off? would it be hard to make a profit or get rich?

I am about to call some local places that are selling trucks they might be able to help me with these questions, overall the amount of questions I have may overwhelm them.

Sorry if this thread has been posted by someone else, I am new here I am not sure if another thread answers the questions I mentioned.

This is pretty "off topic" for this site - it is dedicated to new entrants to the profession. These new entrants are going to either go to private school, or train with trucking companies to obtain their CDL and begin gaining experience as CDL Drivers.

How much you will earn - is kind of ambiguous. As a new driver (even if you hit the lotto and can buy a rig all cash), you will not be able to obtain trucking liability to run interstate. You WILL have to "lease on" to a company - and they will not take you on without a year of OTR experience.

While the government may have some grants, or even SBA loans available to purchase equipment - as an "independent operator" - NO - the government doesn't "find you loads".

I looks like you are just starting to research this "owner operator stuff" - and there's A LOT MORE TO IT (based on your questions) than you could even imagine. And you have a LONG WAY TO GO - before you start calling dealers looking to price trucks.

I ran all the numbers on this years ago - and decided not to do it. There's way more to it, than just digging up the cash to "go all in" on a tractor, and think that's all you need to start (a paid for tractor).

And sadly - as great as this site is - this type of endeavor is NOT what we focus on here. There are other sites out there, where you can begin to do your research.

Apologies, and not to seem rude or anything - but the answers you seek - will not be found HERE.

Regards,

Rick

1. I do have a year of experience OTR.

2. When I said government assistence, I meant financially. I knew government wouldn't find loads that is why I said I find my own loads, I know how to do that, and there is no shortage of loads available.

And you mentioned "answers not found HERE". Okay, well then tell me where those answers about that CAN be found, such as calling places that sell trucks, talking to other people, or another website? If you don't then that is fine. I generally have a good idea of where I can go to get more info in person, but I was wondering if you know of another website, since you sort of sounded like you know of another website. If there is no other website that exists talking about that. Then that means there is no where online about this topic, which is an issue for the entire country if it doesn't even exist online.

Hey Vob. Rick is right. We cater to helping new drivers break into the industry so we've chosen not to discuss buying or leasing trucks here any longer.

The only place I really know of for that sort of thing is OOIDA but there has to be plenty of others. They're just the first ones I think of because their entire mission is to help Owner Operators. Here is a page for their tools and resources:

Tools And Resources

Truckersreport has an owner-operator forum that you can start lurking in. I wouldn't suggest posting as a non-trucker with a zillion questions though - you might not like the reaction you get.

There's a LOT MORE to the industry than just buying a truck.

I'm going on the assumption that you have never even driven OTR as a company driver before?

A great suggestion (that being the case), is that you go get trained and drive for AT LEAST A YEAR - before making this kind of decision (and investment). It would be unwise to make that kind of investment, without knowing the industry, or even knowing if the lifestyle suits you.

As I mentioned - I did all the "due diligence", had a solid business plan and finances - and still opted to NOT DO IT, based on the overall risk - and the fact that with ZERO EXPERIENCE as an OTR driver, trying to jump into the industry by making a $100K + investment was just not a prudent business decision.

I've owned my own business for almost 30 years (not related to the transport industry), I'm used to being my own boss and "making things happen". I probably could have pulled it off (buying the equipment and getting started), but my lack of ACTUAL experience would have made failure the most likely outcome.

I may be CRAZY, but I ain't DUMB.

Rick