New Article From Old School About Buying Or Leasing A Truck

I’ll add another perspective here. IF you are hauling general freight the competiion is high. The more capacity, the lower the rates will be.

If you find a niche market the capacity and competition is much lower at least for awhile and can be better.

I have a standing offer to haul headstones where I live. That is a niche market. However to get my own authority with the insurance rates, it doesn’t pencil out.

I am leased onto a large chemical hauler. There is less competition as compared to box freight so rates don’t get as low, but they have certainly dropped quite a bit. I have learned over time how to make money here and spent several years developing my list of contacts so I can keep the truck profitable. I also am fully aware what I can and can not do per my contract.

I have a few drivers I have shared some of my information and contacts with. They have thanked me over and over and said if they had continued relying on the company generally, they would have gone broke. I have known several O/O’s at my company that have gone bankrupt.

I am not the brightest bulb in the box, but I work very hard at knowing what the rules are and working within them to reach my goals.

Anyone trying to get into this industry without a well informed plan cold will most likely fail.

Old school is very correct. I do ok, but good company drivers can and do make more than I do. I have some very good times as well. But when you average it out, I make enough to keep me happy, not anyone else. I also work much harder than any company driver I know.

Driving is the least of what my responsibilties are.