Buying vs. "Borrowing"

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

After 2 years of reading and talking to recruiters and drivers, my wife and I have decided to team up in someone elses "D" unit instead of buying at this time. The only pressing question we have is; can we make $6000/month before fuel with a 60/40 split. Fuel and tolls on us. 3 weeks out, 1 off?
Thanks for any input
Also I would like to read past posts from a certain individual. How do I access only their posts without having to go through everything?

terryandrene · Mar 25, 2005

In essence, you're asking can a D unit average $3333 per week for 3/4 of a year. I believe that can be done handily if you are flexible and don't stick to a firm 3 weeks on 1 week off schedule.

Try clicking on the read new field and search for the members name.

Terry

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

Thanks for getting back to me. Actually, you are one of the contributers I would like to single out for more reading. I find your responses very refreshing. Now as to pay. I suppose that 3333/week for 3/4 year is what I'm talking about. But your talking about 3333/week going to the truck. That's 10000/month for 3 weeks work. Out of which I get 60% that would be 6000/month. Am I reading this right? That would be good for us and we would be very flexible. If we're running steady I see no reason to go home until just tuckered out. maybe 6-8 weeks at a time. After all it is about the money.

davekc · Mar 25, 2005

ddperki wrote;
That's 10000/month for 3 weeks work

Just for a second opinion;
This should be doable during the busier quarters. With some carriers this might be a tough number to achieve consistently. This is assuming that the $10,000 represents the gross numbers to the truck.
The type of truck will also be somewhat of a factor when looking at this.
Sounds like you can be flexible so the right choices should get you to the $120,000 gross per year.
Davekc

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

Thanks to you also. That 6000/month covers household bills as well as estimated fuel costs on 10000 miles/month. This is a pretty close estimate of what we would have to bring home. From information I have been able to get, 10000 miles/month paying truck $1.00 mile, 60% of 10000 equals 6000 dollars to me. This would work. The 4th week out would be gravey for me. If we can do this 3 weeks out of a month, I see no reason why this would not not work. These numbers may be conservative. If so. that's good as I try to look at worst cases to see if we can hold up under lean times.

davekc · Mar 25, 2005

If so. that's good as I try to look at worst cases to see if we can hold up under lean times.

I can't tell you how critical that point is. Depending on the time of year, you may have fantastic weeks and then hit a slow one. Management of your finances are paramount.
In addition, you are making a wise choice to drive for someone prior to a large financial commitment.
Also, for what it is worth, I believe all of the major carriers are paying over $1.00 per mile for loaded miles. The average out there seems to be around $1.20 plus most pay a fuel surcharge. Surcharges vary widely depending on the carrier. Make sure your owner pays you 100% of the surcharge if you are purchasing the fuel.
Davekc
owner
20 years

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

The guy I'm looking at pays 100% fuel surcharge and he says 1.35. For the sake of argument, I rounded this down to $1.00. What is equally important in my mind is miles. Can we, in your opinion, get the 10,000 miles a month? Be it a 3 week or 4 week month? That would give us the income we need to survive. After all, if we can get 10000 miles/month, any pay over $1.00/mile and fuel surcharge would be extra money in my pocket.

davekc · Mar 25, 2005

RE: Buying vs.

At $1.35, I think you are running for Panther. You should come out ok.
Good luck, and have fun.
Davekc

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

RE: Buying vs.

This is why I enjoy reading this forum. With just a liitle information, you guys can figure out real quick who I'm going to run for. You all have been around a while. As a good friend used to say; "This is not my (your) first rodeo". Thanks again!

Tennesee Trash · Mar 25, 2005

RE: Buying vs.

I would like to interject some of my own knowledge concerning team money.
I went to work with Panthers II recently and made good money with a co-driver during Feb. and early March. Since we were in two households the split was figured on 60/40 split(30% ea.) , we paid fuel . We made an average of between $1300.00 to $1500.00 take home (after fuel) per week. We have hit a extreme slow period this week and barely made $2300.00 to the truck as a whole. Our split would be 60% of that less fuel. So not all weeks are good ones, and not all weeks are profitable . As terryandrene say it can be done but freight goes by it's own cycle and your budgets some times will suffer.
I see freight picking up some next week but never know.The weeks of good or bad don't seem to follow any particular pattern, they are what they are. I would like to be home a week after 3 weeks out but slow freight and budgets may change your mind as it has mine. It is real hard to turn down a good load for the sake of going home, you need to make money or why be out there.
I am absolutely new , less than three months on the road and I went in with certain expectations and have realized they were hopes and not reality. There is much money to be made but a consistent pay day depends a great deal on what company you drive for, your owner settlements,and how busy you are willing to be.
I will say driving for someone else is a good idea and the advice I got from the ones who have advised you here has proven dead-on target for me. I would've lost everything if I had just jumped in thinking I had all the answers and bought my own truck. I owe a lot to these guys and you would do well to heade all there advice.
Good luck and good trucking.
Larry , Tn/ Trash

ddperki · Mar 25, 2005

RE: Buying vs.

Dear TT
This is just the kind of response/info I have learned to expect from this forum. No BS, just the facts Maam. I thank you for the info. Was that 13 to 15/week each or combined; as in each got half of that 13-15?