That was interesting, you can always tell a Newbie. I have to say by the posts he's put up he's so wet behind the ears I was about to toss him a towel.
I prefer running solo myself... but it is a well known fact that teams make more - Dude, if you read this - here's the deal (bare in mind I'm not claiming to be any kind of expert or rocket scientist - but I got 10 years in the transportation biz in trucks and busses (private, passenger, big co.'s, small co.'s, and runnin' for O/O's as well.).
Ok, here we go to the J bird on Sesame Street:
Lets say you drive for an owner. Lets also say you run team with the owner.
It doesn't even have to be the owner. it can be another driver.
Now, the truck has to have fuel to go. Who pays for that? The owner?
well there's 20% of the trucks revenue. Otherwise it's 20% of one of the team drivers.
What about tolls? You're going to be on some toll roads at some point.
There's money out the window. Don't forget scale tickets.
Is this truck paid for? What? probably not?? then there's money out the window too.
Lets say you're on a 60/40 split where owner pays fuel, and the 2 team drivers get 20% each... if you're kickin' out 2,000 miles a week - even 1,500 miles a week - that's still a good chunk... and you're more than likely (hopefully) going to be chasing after 2,500 plus miles (maybe even 3,000+/-) per each driver every week running as a team.
The owner isn't going to be making a killing off of the truck, he'll be paying for fuel, maybe tolls, truck payments, paperwork processing, and oh ya, did I forget to mention truck Insurance? What about workers comp. Insurance for the 2 Expert Operators in his/her truck?
Lets not forget too, that the truck you drive - it might break every month or 2 -why? after all, you're only putting 16,000 miles a month on it. If your sleepy partner is able to stay awake you might break 22,000 plus miles in a month. As a solo you'd be lucky to hit 12,000 miles a month. Maybe a bit more, but not much. The team truck would still have you beat if sleepy is worth even 1/2 his weight in the hot seat.
Simply put, Teams will beat a solo driver in miles and revenue. As a solo, unless you can run 22 to 24 Thousand miles a month, you won't make as much as a team. As a solo, VERY illegally and very VERY sleep deprived the most miles you could count on in a month would maybe be 14,500 miles in a month as a solo. The team truck would still have you beat.
Elmo will now talk about dispatchers and load planners and brokers...
Basically, all 3 of them would WANT to Seek a team to knock out a 600 mile load over a solo. Even 700 mile loads can be lost to a team. Even 500 mile loads can be lost to a team. Teams don't have the sleep issue on the log book like a solo does. Also, if a team is available, or even on it's way into an area and will be available - they'll most likely get the load before a solo who's fresh off their 10 hours.
IceRoad, I'd ask how much time you have driving, but I'd be nuts to do that.
You have made it Very obvious to those who have the experience on EO that you really don't have all that much time under your belt.
I have a suggestion. Run solo and see how rich you become.
Then find a driver who loves to drive a truck and run team for just 3 months.
Then come back on here and let us all know how it worked out for you.
I heard that JB Hunt is hiring.
BigBBob.
if it don't shine, it ain't mine.
) That's why I remain solo.
