Becoming a Fleet Owner (in 2014)

[Malibudru]

Hello,

I'm looking to become a fleet owner and have questions about what I need to know to get started. I found a helpful post (below) with similar questions, but noticed it was 10 years old and the recent messages got a bit sidetracked with talk about what type of driver/owner split pay is best. So I figured I would repost this topic.

Here are my main questions, but I'm sure I'll have more...

Does anyone have a driver contract template to share? Looking to protect myself legally as good as the carriers seem to have done with their agreements

Also, my initial van will be an older model with low mileage ('99 E250 w/125k). I contacted Nations Express because I was told they allow older vans. Any recommendations for other expediters that allow older vans and that are good to work with?

I noticed that there aren't any expediters in the Trucking company directory in the North East. I will be based in the North East and I've been told that my driver can be located anywhere. Are there better regions to have the driver (and the van) located due to more frequent and/or closer deliveries?

How much paperwork is there to do once the van is registered, inspected, etc?

Can I count on my driver doing most of the paperwork (driver logs, etc) done accurately and I just make sure he gets paid on time?

Any big problems or areas of concern I should consider before getting into this business?

http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/general-expediter-forum/16212-becoming-fleet-owner.html

 

[Greg]

Check out this thread:

http://www.expeditersonline.com/for...um/62473-fleet-owner-driver-contract-van.html

Wish I could be more help.
Good luck to you

 

[LDB]

Trucking is a great industry to enter to retire with a small fortune, provided you start with a large fortune.

 

[Moot]

Hello,
I'm looking to become a fleet owner and have questions about what I need to know to get started.

Also, my initial van will be an older model with low mileage ('99 E250 w/125k). I contacted Nations Express because I was told they allow older vans. Any recommendations for other expediters that allow older vans and that are good to work with?

Are you the original owner of this van? If not, do you know what it was used for prior to you acquiring it? An E-250 will limit you on legal payload and a short box will further limit you. Will this van be set up for expediting with insulated walls and ceiling, a bed, roof top fan etc?

I noticed that there aren't any expediters in the Trucking company directory in the North East. I will be based in the North East and I've been told that my driver can be located anywhere. Are there better regions to have the driver (and the van) located due to more frequent and/or closer deliveries?

I were a fleet owner I would look for a driver close by. It is best to interview potential drivers in person. Also when that driver quits, the van will most likely be returned to you rather than being dumped in Turdville, Alabama where the driver lives.

How much paperwork is there to do once the van is registered, inspected, etc? Can I count on my driver doing most of the paperwork (driver logs, etc) done accurately and I just make sure he gets paid on time?

If you think that your responsibility is limited to making sure the driver gets paid on time you're in for a rough ride.

Any big problems or areas of concern I should consider before getting into this business?

Keep researching!

 

[Greg]

Also when that driver quits, the van will most likely be returned to you rather than being dumped in Turdville, Alabama where the driver lives.

I believe Turdville is in Mississippi.
or maybe near Detroit.

 

[xiggi]

Oops fixed below.

 

[xiggi]

Have you ever worked in expedite? Do you understand after splitting money two ways and paying maitenence there is little wiggle room with vans. I think you will find the majority of successful fleet owners run straight trucks. Do you feel you have suffincent funds to pay say a three thousand dollar repair, miss a weeks income and pay for a motel for your driver if something breaks on the van two weeks after it goes in service?

As moot suggested please make sure your van is outfitted for at least moderate comfort. Insulation, roof vent, fold down bed. In very good mechanical shape etc. A happy driver is a more productive one that you replace less often. The more you have a driverless van the less income you see.

There are no logs with vans.

Sent from my - Fisher Price ABC - 123



Sent from my - Fisher Price ABC - 123

 

[davekc]

Probably won't like my answer. Save your money and go to Vegas. Odds will be much better on a return.
As mentioned, you are inexperienced and trying to jump in to something with razor thin margins.
There is a reason there are very few van fleet owners.
Have to be realistic. What driver is going to have a interest in driving a 15 year old vehicle? If they made even a few bucks with your van, they will be gone in less than a month because they could buy a 15 year old van off ebay for next to nothing.
You don't need a contract, you need a plane ticket.

 

[Dynamite 1]

We just became fleet owners last fall and we have been in the business for 15 years. We have been preparing for fleet ownership since 2005 !!!!!!

 

[Hyperdrive]

As Dave KC said find a casino with Roulette and put your money down on red or black. Your odds just got a lot better than they are now.

 

[Malibudru]

Thanks so much everyone for the great feedback. There have been many items brought to my attention that I had not considered. I guess if fleet ownership was as easy as I thought it may be everyone would be doing it I will keep researching to see if this is a business I'd like to invest in. Again, many thanks!

 

[Bruno]

Owning a fleet of trucks can make someones hair go grey really fast.

 

[zorry]

Owning a fleet of trucks can make someones hair go grey really fast.

And that's really embarrassing for us bald guys.

 

[letsdrive]

As Dave KC said find a casino with Roulette and put your money down on red or black. Your odds just got a lot better than they are now.

Last time I played blackja k in vegas I did really well lol

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