Comming into Expediting!

bigjoep89 · Mar 5, 2005

Getting prepared to tackle the world of expediting. All the kids are grown and wife and I thought we would try this for a while. I have 30 years of concrete mixer truck driving and one year of over the road driving. My wife has been with me to get one year of over the road driving. We have really been looking at the Expediting hard for about two months; I am really impressed with all the great people I have talked to that are in this business. You Expediters really seem to be a good group of people. My question is this? I live in Kansas and cannot find a truck anywhere that is already set up for class D work. I can order a truck but by the time it is put together it will be three months. I would like to find a good used unit. Where is the best place to find a good used truck and what kind and engine size does everyone recommend? Several say stay away from engines less than 250 HP? Some of people also do not like the fl70 and 80s any feed back? Thanks in advance for any and all replies!
Joe and Robin

cliffn · Mar 5, 2005

Joe and Robin:

Congratulations on your decision to go into expediting. For my wife and me driving is a second career and we have now been driving about ten years. Most of this was in big trucks but about four years ago we drove a D unit for another owner for about five months. We went back to big trucks because we thought that perfect opportunity had come along but the lure for expediting was great so we bought our own truck about fifteen months ago. For us, the D unit is the way to go. I might also mention that we bought a good used unit rather than sticking our neck out all the way for a new truck.

Most people will urge you to drive for someone else for a while to make sure you like expediting. Not everyone does. However, for us we love the fact that generally when we get a load to its destination, they are happy to see us and get it right off the truck. Then if we want to take our D unit into a Cracker Barrel Restaurant we can get in there.

If you do buy a unit, I would really recommend a class 8 truck if you can get one. They will really outperform and outlast the smaller units.

On this website start checking some of the classified ads, both for job opportunities driving for an owner and for used truck opportunities if you choose to go that direction (owner/operator).

Whatever you decide just know that there is a group out here that will give you a lot of support.

Good luck to you!

Tennesseahawk · Mar 6, 2005

Almost everyone here would try to stop someone from starting with their own truck. Driving for an o/o for at least a few months is recommended. Having said that, I suggest stay away from the fl70s and 80s. They're known as Freightshakers for a reason. The fl106s are a much nicer truck, plus they have a larger engine (320 hp). I was told the 50 series engines, such as those found in the fl106, are made to run 1 million miles. A class 8 is the way to go if you're into a heavier truck. But if you do that, get the tandems... you'll want the heavier payload capability. If you want something as small as an fl70, get a kenworth t-300 or a peterbilt 330. Hope that helps you out. Everything is based on what you're needing... comfort, affordability, payload, box size, etc. If you come up with what is most important to you, I'm sure plenty of ppl here will give their professional opinions.

Broompilot · Mar 6, 2005

Reading your question and between the lines. Your a long way from entering this field. Please DO MORE HOME WORK! Teams are very successfull in this business but you have the beginning phase questions.

You need to delete the word, TRY. You must gain the mind set Succeed if your going into this you must be successfull so please research, ask many more questions and know your $ situation. Its a decent living but I will admit it is harder than we all make it look on EO. On the other hand I personally Love doing this thats the mind set.

Trucks are a Huge Committment, most others would recommend drive someone elses truck first, cannot not dissagree. I did not do that I took the plunge with the mind set succeed..

Good Luck.

bigjoep89 · Mar 6, 2005

Many thanks to all that has replied any input is well taken. I am really getting excited to get on the road with all you fine expediters. I know I have a lot to learn but I am really excited and up for the challenge!!! Please keep replying as I need all the input I can get.
Thanks Joe and Robin.

ATeam · Mar 6, 2005

Do not underestimate your value to the expediting industry.

As a married couple with a year together on the road, most fleet owners would jump at the chance to put you in one of their trucks (assuming you have good records, even better if you have good credit and some cash reserves). If you decide to go the fleet owner route to start instead of beginning in a truck of your own, know that you are in a good position to bargain. Don't take the first offer. Don't talk to just one or two fleet owners. Interview a number of them in depth. Know too, that if your first fleet owner choice does not work out, and as long as you held up your end, other fleet owners will line up to take you on.

You are THE sought-after prize...a married couple that already knows what life on the road is like.

Note too that married-couple teams do better as some carriers than they do at others. Same is true for solo drivers. Solo drivers do better at some carriers than they do at others. Don't research fleet owners only. Give careful consideration to your carrier choice as well.

bigjoep89 · Mar 9, 2005

Thanks for the replie A-team!

cat can do · Mar 10, 2005

Make sure you look at the classifieds on this web site. They post many vehicles, also check the dealers that help support the site they have used trucks and finance companys. You could also look at a web site called, www.truckpaper.com. Best of luck to you and your wife.