Driver vs Owner

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
I find myself often arguing with the driver side of myself and then the owner side of myself has to step in and add reason or cost analysis.

My driver side often gets the I wants such as a new truck with all the bells and whistles including a table. The driver side wants automatic tire chains, smart cruise, all the safety features, the newest and the best of everything.

My Owner side starts adding up these costs and saying how much more money can you make by having it all? When does comfort out weigh what the truck can make per mile? How long do you really want to stay out and work to pay for the amenities that you think as a driver you really need?

This argument between my driver side and my owner side can go on and on and luckily my owner side will win out in the end. My driver side though sure has fun dreaming of all the really neat stuff that is available in the new sleepers.

I try to always be aware of our balance point between being a driver and being and owner and I need to keep both sides happy.

I think each of us has a different balance point that will keep your driver side and your owner side happy.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Diane and I were drivers for three years, in that we drove trucks owned by other people. We have also been owners for three years, owning and operating our own truck.

We now drive a truck that no fleet owner would ever buy but that we as owners did. We gave free reign to our driver side while acting as financially responsible owners too. So too have other owners who are out there right now driving show trucks and putting money in the bank.

There is no dichotomy between what you want to have in a truck and what you can have, if you decide ahead of time what you want (set your truck and money goals), develop your plan to achieve your goals, and act according to plan.

Plan changes will of course need to be made as conditions change for better and worse, but if you really want to have a full-featured truck and be financially successful at the same time, don't fight yourself about it, plan for it.
 

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
So you are saying that if you plan it right that you will be able to have a bell and a whistle AND a table?
 

pelicn

Veteran Expediter
Interesting subject Linder. We are in the position of having an owner that has provided us with enough bells and whistles, that as drivers, we'll have a hard time buying what we are already used to. :eek: We've been extremely blessed to have found the best at the beginning.
Complete with toilet :D
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I find myself often arguing with the driver side of myself and then the owner side of myself has to step in and add reason or cost analysis.

With all that arguing and your occasional bickering with the Garmin, do Bob and Molly get any sleep? Recalculating recalculating.
 

louixo

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
The owner/driver argument is always there. Early in my trucking career I answered that issue for myself hands down. Driver= time off when they tell you, you can. Owner=take off when you want. Flex time so to speak.It always worked for me. Dilemma resolved!
 

guido4475

Not a Member
Teamcaffee, while I was at the Expo admiring your truck, it appeared to me you already had all the bells and whistles.If a new product/improvement comes out in the market, why not just add it to your already heavily-equipped truck, instead of purchasing a new one? Youre truck still looks like new.
 
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