Help for a new tractor, fleet owner...

[garyatk]

So I thought I did my research, but obviously it wasn't enough. I talked to an un-named company about becoming a fleet owner. The opportunity looked great. They told me to bring them a truck (tractor) and they will put a driver in it and put it to work. I did my part, but after more than a month, the truck just sits in the parking lot. They say that with the CSA, they can't find a qualified driver...

So I am know starting to talk to other companies, and I hope to find a company that can actually work with me. Any help or advice that you might be able to give would be appreciated! <><

 

[Turtle]

Find your own driver, make sure they can clear CSA and the carrier will accept them, like no moving violations, no felonies, etc.

 

[Lawrence]

Curious as to why you didn't hire a driver first? There is strong demand for TT's. Hopefully, you can get moving soon!

 

[garyatk]

I was told that it wasn't neccesary for me to find someone as they had a "stack" of applications and I would be able to pick from the ones they qualified... Just one of the lessons you learn when you start a new venture I guess...

 

[BillChaffey]

I am a atrocious business person as past endeavors can testify to. So please don't take offence at this question. Why would you purchase a over the road Tractor with out someone to drive it as soon as you had the necessary licences for it?.

 

[garyatk]

Bill,

No offense taken...

Two reasons, 1) I could just drive it myself... but I don't want to. 2) I am a trusting person ( I have been burned before), and I tend to believe people when they say they will do something. I like the company, and am hoping that they will do what they said they would do. I was prepared for the process to take a few weeks. I am now just looking at my options.

That is what I was hoping to get from this forum was help from other fleet owners as to where they have their trucks, if they are profitable, and if they are having trouble finding drivers because of CSA requirements.

I didn't make a mistake buying the truck. I got a good deal, and it is paid for. The question isn't if it will be profitable. It is when, and hauling what?

 

[moose]

Morning,
past mistakes can stay back there.
it will help if you can tell us some more about your truck, your contract, experience, expectations, no-no's,and so on.
so we can better narrow our help.

a good practice is to read the EO classifieds, for trucks and drivers alike, see what other Owners are looking for, and what drivers are wishing for.
once you have a truck and a certified driver(s), carriers will be the least of your worry's.
Good Luck.

 

[moose]

? There is strong demand for TT's. !

Correct, & it will stay that way, as long as the industry will stop recruiting the trucking industry leftovers, and start PAYING TT drivers a wage closer to the Industry standard.
unlike St. Trucks, Expedite TT have strong recruiting/retaining competitions, and after a decade driving i still don't see a rezone to take a TT into expedite as an Investment.
Maybe @ the upcoming Expo, some carriers will follow that advice, rather then follow the ATA revolving door policy.

 

[garyatk]

Moose,

The truck is an 04' Frieghtliner Columbia condo. I have put an APU on it, and added more driver comforts. I am hoping to use the standard 60/40 splitas the contract. I don't expect to make a living off of 1 truck, and hope to build a fleet of about 5.

I got my CDL in 1991. Drove OTR for 3 years and got local work that I had until last year. Due to family circumstances, I am unable to go back OTR, and feel that taking the next few years to build a small fleet will be better for me than working at Walmart.

Yes, I have a lot to learn, but who didn't in my situation...

I put an ad on EO a couple weeks ago, but most everyone wants a straight truck.

I am hoping that this all works itself out this week, or I find a new opportunity.

Thanks!!!

 

[garyatk]

UPDATE...

I have found a company approved driver, and he will start orientation on Monday.

I found the driver from an ad I placed in the EO classified ads on 5-29. Thank you EO!

The lesson learned is that I should have placed the ad much earlier, instead of just relying the company to take care of it for me...

The first of many lessons yet to be learned...

 

[Turtle]

Congratulations!

Let's just hope this is the most painful lesson you will have to learn.

 

[Jefferson3000]

UPDATE...

I have found a company approved driver, and he will start orientation on Monday.

I found the driver from an ad I placed in the EO classified ads on 5-29. Thank you EO!

The lesson learned is that I should have placed the ad much earlier, instead of just relying the company to take care of it for me...

The first of many lessons yet to be learned...

If they say that they have a "stack" of applications, then ask them to let you have a copy so that you can approve who you want to run your truck. Just a suggestion for next time.

 

[purgoose10]

Correct, & it will stay that way, as long as the industry will stop recruiting the trucking industry leftovers, and start PAYING TT drivers a wage closer to the Industry standard.
unlike St. Trucks, Expedite TT have strong recruiting/retaining competitions, and after a decade driving i still don't see a rezone to take a TT into expedite as an Investment.
Maybe @ the upcoming Expo, some carriers will follow that advice, rather then follow the ATA revolving door policy.

I fully agree to what you say about TT. Another thing I don't understand is now they have Expedite Companies running TT with flat beds and hauling lumber, what in the samhell is going on??

To answer the other about buying a truck. I just have two C/Vans well one actually sold one and buying a new one. I don't let other people tell me how to run my business and if you give them a truck thats what your doing. Hire the driver yourself and get him or her qualified for the company you want to contract to. If you let them do it they not only will hire the last of the lot they won't care where your trucks go because they think they can just DH them back. They don't care if you make a profit as long as they're freight is hauled.


MUST MAINTAIN CONTROL!!!!!

 

[garyatk]

So far that hasn't been my experience. They have been too fussy in my opinion, and relaxed the standard. They wanted a driver from the region to prevent the possibility of a major expense on me if the truck was abandoned 1000 miles away. It does happen you know.

I also chose the tractor because of the ability of it to haul other types of freight and keep the deadhead to a minimum. Time will tell if I was right...

 

[purgoose10]

So far that hasn't been my experience. They have been too fussy in my opinion, and relaxed the standard. They wanted a driver from the region to prevent the possibility of a major expense on me if the truck was abandoned 1000 miles away. It does happen you know.

I also chose the tractor because of the ability of it to haul other types of freight and keep the deadhead to a minimum. Time will tell if I was right...

I understand what you say but, 1000 miles from home, does that mean they won't leave it a 1,000 miles from the terminal as well? Yes it happens (sorry to say) everyday. I also agree with you about the ability to haul all types of freight, but if the dispatcher doesn't have anything for they're driver on your truck because they sent it out of they're traffic lanes the dispatcher says I have a load but it's a thousand miles from where he is I'll just pay him 10c a mile(whatever) to go get it. You find out about it two weeks later when you get your settlement and can't figure out why you have so many DH miles.
I don't mean to pick it apart, I know where your coming from, but giving a dispatcher complete control of your destiny leads to failure.
But if it works out for you great and good luck.

 

[garyatk]

I believe that when you contract with a driver to a 60/40 split, and they are buying the fuel, a 1000 mile deadhead would be out of the question for the driver too.

I don't believe any of us are in complete control unless maybe you have your own authority, and even then you are at the mercy of many people...

 

[cheri1122]

I was told that it wasn't neccesary for me to find someone as they had a "stack" of applications and I would be able to pick from the ones they qualified... Just one of the lessons you learn when you start a new venture I guess...

One of the lessons you learned already about expediting: when a carrier misleads you, mentioning it on EO [without 'bashing' them] can get pretty quick results, lol.

 

[moose]

Yes, but Gary take a look around,
how many long time successful solo TT drivers do you see in Expedite ?
a handful ?
H/W teams ?, yes.
solo, or none same household ?, NO.
i do not know of even ONE tractors fleet owner .
there's probably not enough money to be split between an Owner a Truck and a Driver.(& the Gov.).
even Owners that had drivers driving tractors with them as a TEAM did not lasts, simply not enough for a none same household team.
reread my OP, unlike conventional trucking, TT expedite don't pay merely enough.
There's an Expo coming up, go there and see for yourself.
a lot have changed since you drove.
good luck.

 

[garyatk]

Maybe I will see you at the expo Moose...

I, as well as every other truck owner would love to have a same household team. That is a no brainer, but easier to talk about than find. Every truck I buy will be a double bunk so I can utilize a team if I can find one.

I do know that actual numbers in the real world are different than revenue projections, but the only way to know for sure is to try. But I really don't see much difference between a tractor and a straight truck except more revenue potential, a lower investment, and easier financing if needed. Besides, you do see fleet owners looking for driver in EO's classified section too.

I am also not limited to expediting, and am able to look elsewhere if needed. I am also looking into putting my second truck on with Landstar, and am confident that will be profitable. I am currently looking for a driver with experience there...

Lets face it Moose. If the ROI is the same as being a greeter at Walmart, I am ahead of the game, because where I live I would be lucky to get that opportunity.

Thanks for sharing, and I wish you well too!