Solo Driving Vs Team Driving
Topic 21758 | Page 1
It will vary.
Yes, you can make more money as a team driver, but it is usually not a significant amount, to make it worth living with someone in a tiny box. Unless of course it is my wife.
My biggest hang up to team driving, is that when I am in the sleeper berth , I am putting my life into my co-driver's hands. And he, mine. With my wife, if something tragic happens, we go out together. With a friend, or stranger, well....
I will just stick with solo.
Sleeper Berth:
The portion of the tractor behind the seats which acts as the "living space" for the driver. It generally contains a bed (or bunk beds), cabinets, lights, temperature control knobs, and 12 volt plugs for power.
Joseph...we have a starter kit we recommend to folks trying to make a "go" at this:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Real numbers from Prime reefer:
Truck earns 48cpm the first 3000 miles then 68cpm for all miles after that. Teammates split that.
48cpm x 3000= $1440 68cpm x 2000= $1360 so 5000 miles is $2800 ÷ 2 drivers
each team driver gets $1400
Solo driver 42cpm x 2500 = $1050
Add in bonuses... and you need to deicse if nevee sleeping, putting your life in anothers hands, never having persoanl space or even a private phone conversation is worth it. the only time you are alome is in the shower and your break is taken in a moving truck.
Ive seen compamies like Rand that say 76cpm for the team.
but consider this....if the team mates go home at different timea or do not live near each other, staggered home times can eat away at your pay. if you team the full first two weeka of the month, then one goes home during the third week and the other during the 4th week....you are going to make a lot less because the rmtruxk woukd be dispatched solo when one is home.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
I would have to agree with Rainy that the pay for OTR teams vs Solo is very close. I was lucky when I worked for Werner, I was on a dedicated account as a solo driver, and after my cpm , safety pay, stop pay, and assist unload pay were averaged out, I made 55 - 60 cpm, averaged 2k-2200 miles/week, and I was home every week.... I made as much as a solo OTR driver doing 3k miles a week or a team doing 6k-6500 miles/week, running 4-6 weeks out. I would have to say it is ultimately up to you on what you are looking for.... I know some accounts were also paying more, but there was a lot more physical work involved, such as any of the dollar store Family (family dollar, dollar general, dollar tree, etc). I was chatting with another Werner driver on a dollar account, and he was on track to make over 80k as a solo driver.....
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Is it more profitable to drive solo OTR. Or can you make more money teaming up with a pal? Sorry all I'm new and I want to ask all these questions before I go on into school
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.