Looking For O/O Advice (True Experiences Please)

Came across this forum and thought to myself, why not ask the people that have been in the industry and have the experience. My buddy that has been a driver for two years now, is trying to convince me to partner with him on becoming O/O's. I will solely be the business side (the brains, investor etc.), while he's the driver, trainer of other drivers (team driving) and on-road presence. He has this individual that would allow O/O to join his fleet. The company would take 10% commission off every load and $2,500 monthly for insurances, DOT/MC, licenses etc. As we search for other opportunities, we hear of companies with higher commission takeaway of 12% but lower insurances, etc. Off the bat, i wasn't going to purchase or lease a truck. My initial intentions were to never make a huge investment into 1.An industry i wasn't familiar with and 2. not knowing the true profit margin ( i have seen load payouts, but they aren't always consistent). So with that being said... my thought process was to rent with Ryder and endure those cost until a true consistent profit margin would be generated. Reason for the rental route was to ensure no issues would come up to derail us during the first 3 months, before making a large investment on a new fleet. There is a huge investment to be placed. I've calculated solely based on coast-to-coast loads and it seems like a profit of approximately 13k a month after expensive. Does this sound correct? Should my profits be lower or higher and why? Please share with your honest opinion and experiences. No need to make up stories or say my buddy etc. Looking for thoughts from true O/Os and experiences individuals on the matter.

Thanks -D

Damien, I'm not an O/O. I have been a business owner for 30 years. I don't see how you can profit 13K per month. Average profit range in trucking is 3 - 5 percent. It's a commodities business - the lowest bidder gets the loads.

We've got a few O/O's here. Hopefully they can offer you some better clarification.

Howdy!

Just be patient, this forum is more for company drivers but we do have a few OOs and they are driving.

I looked into it a bit when I first started 6.5 yrs ago but realized that as a company driver I can make near what an OO makes after their expenses. Plus without experience I realized I needed more time before I could even ask the right questions. Then I drove for a Lease Op and after firing him for not paying me for two weeks (paid for one of those weeks but it bounced) and the company he was leased to cancelled his contract with him owing them. I was going to go back to a former company that ran containers of fresh beef to Trapac in the Port of Oakland. A friend was still working at Interide but warned me they were having issues. Six months later, they closed their doors and 250 drivers were out of a job. With the volatility of the business I will stay being a company driver.

Just hang tight, some of the OOs will check in.

Laura

Damien, I'm not an O/O. I have been a business owner for 30 years. I don't see how you can profit 13K per month. Average profit range in trucking is 3 - 5 percent. It's a commodities business - the lowest bidder gets the loads.

We've got a few O/O's here. Hopefully they can offer you some better clarification.

What is the avg load payout in your experience along with distance? We are looking to only complete cost to cost loads.

Howdy!

Just be patient, this forum is more for company drivers but we do have a few OOs and they are driving.

I looked into it a bit when I first started 6.5 yrs ago but realized that as a company driver I can make near what an OO makes after their expenses. Plus without experience I realized I needed more time before I could even ask the right questions. Then I drove for a Lease Op and after firing him for not paying me for two weeks (paid for one of those weeks but it bounced) and the company he was leased to cancelled his contract with him owing them. I was going to go back to a former company that ran containers of fresh beef to Trapac in the Port of Oakland. A friend was still working at Interide but warned me they were having issues. Six months later, they closed their doors and 250 drivers were out of a job. With the volatility of the business I will stay being a company driver.

Just hang tight, some of the OOs will check in.

Laura

thank you