How about it?

smitty555 · Feb 8, 2007

There seems to be a lot of posts about solo drivers, I for one have questioned this aspect of driving. Myself, I feel that it might be a little uncomfortable spending so much time with someone that you barely know driving as a team. Also, if you are solo you make all your own decesions, rigth or wrong. The bottom line is I want to make a good living and own my own truck.
I consider $40k (net) a decent living, of course more would be better.
Some of you veteran drivers are really sharp on your numbers, is this a possible goal to reach?
Is this a goal that could not be reached with out some good luck or a miracle?
Are some of the companies more prone to have solo routes for D units, if so would you name a few?
Do the recruiters give you the straight stuff or do you read between all the lines?
It would be good to hear from some of the solo drivers to learn what helped them make it.
I don`t want to live in a fantasy world and try solo and fail.
Would driving for company that has OTR routes that doesn`t expedite be a better choice? If so are there good ones that you would recomend?
I enjoy reading these posts and will continue to do so. I have put adds in the clasifieds, talked to O/O and recruiters. But, I seem to fall back on these posts for the best info.
Thank all of you for your continued help!!

nightcreacher · Feb 8, 2007

As long as you think of a recruiter as a used car salesman, you can answer your own question
If you only need to net 40k per year,it should be doable running solo,but your going to have to stay available,the team trucks,as much as they dont want to,do to hours of service rules,will be getting your loads,unless your on with a company that doesnt pay strict attention to the logging rules.
Good luck,and try to keep your payments at a minimum

Paul56 · Feb 8, 2007

>There seems to be a lot of posts about solo drivers, I for
>one have questioned this aspect of driving. Myself, I feel
>that it might be a little uncomfortable spending so much
>time with someone that you barely know driving as a team.

If you can find someone to team with that you are compatible with then teaming can be a great way to go, but the difficulty is in finding that person. You may go through a few before striking a good match.

It is often very helpful to have someone else around particularly for the companionship because life on the road alone can be very lonely.

Nicole and I started team driving during summers when we were in university. Each of us took our turns at the wheel, but more often than not it was something less than team driving in the true sense of it.

Crazynuff · Feb 9, 2007

I have to question the ability to net $40,000 as a fleet driver . FECC shows average revenue for a D unit run solo to be just over $72,000 . With a 60/40 split that leaves you a little over $43,000 . Now figure what you'd pay for expenses for a year out of that . You ask if OTR would be better . If members here thought the answer was yes that's where they'd be . But since you ask , what is your experience ? Do you have a Class A CDL ? There are some specialized jobs - oversize , tanker , and others where you can make over $60,000 a year and not work the 70 hour weeks some other OTR drivers do for half the money . You need experience and a good MVR for the high paying jobs .

nightcreacher · Feb 9, 2007

>I have to question the ability to net $40,000 as a fleet
>driver . FECC shows average revenue for a D unit run solo to
>be just over $72,000 . With a 60/40 split that leaves you a
>little over $43,000 . Now figure what you'd pay for expenses
>for a year out of that . You ask if OTR would be better . If
>members here thought the answer was yes that's where they'd
>be . But since you ask , what is your experience ? Do you
>have a Class A CDL ? There are some specialized jobs -
>oversize , tanker , and others where you can make over
>$60,000 a year and not work the 70 hour weeks some other OTR
>drivers do for half the money . You need experience and a
>good MVR for the high paying jobs .

I think he's talking,wanting to own his own truck,but he didnt say what size,as a tractor,he could do the $40k,like I said,he would have to stay available,I dont think a single in a D can make that much.As I told someone else,if you only need $40000,you can drive someone elses truck and not have the headaches,most tractor trailer drivers do about $50k/year driving company trucks,running single

ABEJR2004 · Feb 9, 2007

Hello Smitty555,

It's is doable. Just keep in mind how much you will be able to stay available because of HOS.( gotta work a little harder than teams) and also your budget has to be tight, and you have to watch your spending habits.

AbeJr
TranStewart #6680
Stand Tall & Be Proud

smitty555 · Feb 9, 2007

To clear up some questions, looking to drive D unit. I have a class A CDL, hazzmat and tanker endorsments. Very clean MVR, no felonies, not afraid to get my hands dirty with an excellent work history. The pitfall is I have no OTR experience, I learn quickly, am a middle aged heathly man looking to start a new career.
I was hoping to get a few names of any OTR companies that have a good reputation that I might check out, too. It would be better than flipping through the ads.
There are some workshops/training and speakers as an educational conference sponsored by EO and some of the major expediter companies. Are these worth while to attend?
Any and all input is greatly appreciated!
Thanks again,
Smitty

cheri1122 · Feb 9, 2007

Smitty. any workshop or training seminar hosted by EO is worthwhile to attend - not only for what you will learn, but also some great contacts, and the beginning of your own network of helpful people to chat with. Next month's MATS in Louisville will have a lot of opportunities to talk to carriers, current drivers, and meet some of the names here on EO, and maybe even have a little fun, too. If you can attend, it will be well worth the time.

Broompilot · Feb 10, 2007

Some great answers! Yes, yes, and pick your company carefully and than again Yes and yes.

Not all companies care if you make 0 or 100,000.00 so its up to you to find the right fit. Other companies want and work with you to see you make your goal. I have found both types of these companies.

Crazynuff · Feb 10, 2007

You don't say where you're located . Most decent OTR companies require a year OTR experience . You say you have tanker and Hazmat but want a career change . I know an o/o for Quality Carriers that had no tanker experience and signed on with Quality . He owns a day cab and is home every night in St. Louis . I know another o/o for Quality that makes dedicated runs from Louisville to Lima OH . His tractor is paid for .