Buying Truck... Flat Bedders Advise
Topic 25497 | Page 1
Uh, NO. What’s your business plan for the next five years? This site was started and remains in existence to answer the questions of those that are considering a truck driving career, have begun their training, and newer drivers out on the highways. You may want to check out the OOIDA website.
OOIDA:
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Who They Are
OOIDA is an international trade association representing the interests of independent owner-operators and professional drivers on all issues that affect truckers. The over 150,000 members of OOIDA are men and women in all 50 states and Canada who collectively own and/or operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks and small truck fleets.
Their Mission
The mission of OOIDA is to serve owner-operators, small fleets and professional truckers; to work for a business climate where truckers are treated equally and fairly; to promote highway safety and responsibility among all highway users; and to promote a better business climate and efficiency for all truck operators.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
A few years ago I ran the numbers on being a owner and couldn't get them to make sense, I make more as a company driver then I could come up with as a owner with no risk and 2 days off a week. I hope you know what you are getting into.
Michael, I'm weary of advising people against buying their own trucks. I guess people will never get over the idea of thinking how cool it's gonna be to have my own rig, and be my own boss.
This is a cut-throat business and you are wanting to become a minnow in a shark's tank. Not very smart in my opinion! You can make great money by being a great company driver. I want you to think about something. Listen to what I saw on a billboard this week. I saw a trucking company advertising for drivers, and they were paying sign-on bonuses as follows... 6,000 dollars for experienced company drivers, and 21,000 dollars for owner/operators.
What does that tell us? It clearly indicates they will make more money off the owner/operators in their fleet. Those owner/ops take on the liabilities and crazily variable expenses making it much more easy for the company to control the results. Is that what you want? Of course not, but your ego won't let go of how cool it's gonna be cruising the country in a rig that's all mine. I never recommend buying a big truck. There are way better ways to be successful at this career.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
What year is it?
I bought my 2015 volvo with 400k for 60k. That price for a cascadia sounds a little high especially now since the market is flooded with trucks.
For future responders please do not try to convince me that going into business for myself is about idea. I did not ask whether or not I should go into business for myself. My question was do you think the truck I'm looking at is worth the money. To counsel someone not to start a trucking business as an owner op without knowing the details of their situation is irresponsible, arrogant, and condescending.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
For future responders please do not try to convince me that going into business for myself is about idea.
Micheal I'm assuming you mean "a bad idea." So, how about explaining what you think makes it a good idea. You obviously are willing to jump in the water. Convince us of what makes it a smart move to you. Try and hold off on the name calling, and stick to some facts. We will be glad to have a civil discussion based on reality, but please realize we're not gonna keep allowing you to accuse us of being "irresponsible, arrogant, and condescending."
We give a lot of time to helping people understand how to be successful out here, and so far you've missed what we are all about. So, go ahead and break it down for us. What are the details of your situation that make it so vital that you purchase your own truck?
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
2016. Thx for answering my question instead of telling me how silly i am to be an owner op. Some of these folks think their own experience is the only experience and can sound quite condescending.
What year is it?
I bought my 2015 volvo with 400k for 60k. That price for a cascadia sounds a little high especially now since the market is flooded with trucks.
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Advice For New Truck Drivers Flatbed Owner Operator
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Hello all and thank you for this great form. I've been trucking cents 2015 and and finally buying my own truck. I've looked at Peterbilts and freightliners and at the sided to go where the Cascadia at 120. It is spec:
13300 pounds front axle and 40000 rear axle. 254 wb 60in sleeper Dd15 450 hp 13 sp trans 3:36 GR 2 100 gal tank 1 yr / 100k warranty Has headache rack and boxes 350k miles
Price 79900
Would you buy this truck?
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.