About this thread. I have been reading and looking at this forum for awhile now. I drive a box truck locally for a smaller shipping company I also owned and operated a bread route (not the right fit) my friend (friends for long time and used to be roomates years ago) also works driving a one ton van for same company. We are seriously considering teaming up and doing straight truck expediting. We would want to drive for an owner first. My question is can non-same household teams make it. I know making it is all relative. We are both go getters and will work together very well and are extremely motivated. He almost went to panther in his van before this company. This company is just not concearned at all for our well being as owner operators at all so its time to move on. As stated we are wanting to drive for an owner first as entering business with a huge truck payment and inexperinece is prob a recipe for disaster. Any advice direction would be a huge help. Thanks.
I'm gonna get crushed
- Thread starter djc109
- Start date
runrunner
Veteran Expediter
The answer to your questions depends on each of your situations.If you both are single and without a lot of bills to pay you would have a better chance. If one of you or both have family to support it will be a tough route. All expediters have slow times and bad weeks. You should be prepared to stay out 3 to 6 weeks as well. Check out Expediter Services,there good to work with.
Lol.on getting married. Not that there's anything wrong with that. We both have no familes. I am divorced he is sort of seeing someone. I am liquidating everything and I am at least in my mind prepared to go for it. My only concern is can a team make it. We would like to eventually get into owning trucks.
What I mean by make it is making money and by making money. Not just scraping by I know I'm not buying a beachfront condo or lake house. If we pay attention learn from mistakes and work our asses off can we not be in the paycheck to paycheck segment of the population and maybe put some money away.
zorry
Veteran Expediter
I would also recommend Expeditor Services.
Slightly less money, probably equaled out by better opportunities
I also recommend Fedex or Panther. A hard working team needs to work towards the more specialized freight . Reefer, liftgate/inside delivery, Art, secure high value loads.
That's where the better money usually is.
Slightly less money, probably equaled out by better opportunities
I also recommend Fedex or Panther. A hard working team needs to work towards the more specialized freight . Reefer, liftgate/inside delivery, Art, secure high value loads.
That's where the better money usually is.
Go to the OOIDA website and download the free spreadsheet. Estimate all expenses 10-15% higher than you truly believe they will be. Estimate all revenues 10-15% lower than you expect. If you can make it using those numbers you should manage in the real world.
The most common arrangement that's fair and legitimate is 60/40 with the 60% side receiving 100% of the fsc money and buying the fuel. Drive as if you have eggs glued to each of the pedals to maximize your mpg. If you are with a company paying a fair fsc you should do fairly well on fuel. Good luck.
The most common arrangement that's fair and legitimate is 60/40 with the 60% side receiving 100% of the fsc money and buying the fuel. Drive as if you have eggs glued to each of the pedals to maximize your mpg. If you are with a company paying a fair fsc you should do fairly well on fuel. Good luck.
Some of it depends on what you financial situation is. Probably forget the van as the market is saturated with them. Starting now you are going in to the slower months of the year regardless of vehicle. Maybe easier to learn but revenue could be low depending on the carrier.
If tight on cash, may want to hold off until spring when freight is running well.
In the mean time, keep reading the forums so you get a real good idea of what you are jumping in to.
BTW....welcome to EO
If tight on cash, may want to hold off until spring when freight is running well.
In the mean time, keep reading the forums so you get a real good idea of what you are jumping in to.
BTW....welcome to EO
Hey. Thanks. I'm definitely not going in dumb. I jumped into an owner operator/independent contractor situation once with bread territory. Wont ever do something without exhaustive research.I'm a serious hard worker that is seeking something I can honestly do for the rest of my life not another job.
runrunner
Veteran Expediter
All post are good info. Owning truck is where the money is,but you need to drive for someone else to learn the ropes because expediting is way different than anything you imagine. Remember after each drop you don't know when the next call is coming. The equipment makes a big difference,lift gate,reefer unit etc. You will just get by driving for someone,but you will gain an education to increase chances of being successful when you buy your own.
Yeah. I'm convinced that driving for a fleet owner is right idea. I just think why I don't know any of the ins and outs I would rather learn the industry without the added pressure of learning to run the business as well. What are certain things to look for in a fleet owner and what are certain things they claim that real drivers know that are not possible.
Couple of things. Equipment only matters depending on who the carrier is. There is a trade off for everything whether it is a reefer, liftgate, or anything else. We got out the reefer business years ago and just running dry vans I can pull basically the same annual revenue where we are at.
So why have a reefer? Again, it depends on the carrier and how you operate.
As far as fleet owners, go for the reputable ones. If you aren't sure, ask for current and past drivers phone numbers that you can ACTUALLY call and talk to folks already working with one.
So why have a reefer? Again, it depends on the carrier and how you operate.
As far as fleet owners, go for the reputable ones. If you aren't sure, ask for current and past drivers phone numbers that you can ACTUALLY call and talk to folks already working with one.
Pretty simple. Find the company you prefer and then ask them for numbers to their fleet owners.
Then talk to the fleet owner and request those numbers. If they don't give them to you, then move on to one that does. Probably a reason they don't want you talking to someone that drives for them or did in the past. As a fleet owner myself, my best advertisers are my current and past drivers. Additionally, I won't hire someone unless they do talk to them. They can provide better information to a prospective driver since they are out there every day driving.
I feel your pain with the bread route been there, done that, never again.
Its funny reading your story I had a bread route that fell through, worked for a local delivery company and eventually parted ways due to money, and decided to work for myself.
As for starting out with a truck, I'm with davekc on waiting until spring at least after new years. You're thinking smart..Cutting your teeth with a fleet owner is a good idea local and OTR work are diferent animals. This will allow both you and your friend to find out if this is a fit without the investment of a truck. I believe taking friends into bed or business is a bad idea as it typically ends up with disaster. If you decide to go in together, just make sure you and your friend can part ways before it destroys your friendship
A WORD OF WARNING!!!!!! SWEAT YOUR PROSPECTIVE CARRIERS.
Ask the hard questions, and lots of them. Don't sign on if they don't pass the gut feeling test. Also never trust what a recruiter tells you. Its their job to get you to sign on.
Don't go all the way on the first date. In other words give that offer a couple days to cool off and think it through. Im sure after the route you will agree that an attorney should be involved with the decision.
One thing to consider getting is your own operating authority.. Yes you will be on the DOT grid, but if you follow the rules most likely show up less than if you work for another Motor Carrier. This is because you don't have to rely on the MC and their drivers not screwing up. Some carriers don't like working with those with their own authority as they often see you as competition which can make slow times tough if you don't have friendly carrier relationships. Most importantly, all the expenses will be on you fuel, maintenance, business expenses, and insurance.
The pros it opens up more opportunities especially if the leasing doesn't work out you can keep the truck hired through brokers your own direct customers / businesses and the general public. You will also have the final say on when, where and if the truck moves and for how much you are paid.
I mentioned insurance, I would recommend Commercial Insurance Solutions first as they specialize in expediters and they run a good shop. If you need something special like high value insurance beyond the 100,000 on the freight and 1 mill liability and C.I.S. cant cover you, PM me I have a couple contacts.
The cool thing about this site is its a good place to ask questions we share our knowledge whatever it may be, and yeah, sometimes we stir up the poo pot, and on occasions get into a piszing contest on a topic or two.
Welcome and good luck
Bob Wolf
Its funny reading your story I had a bread route that fell through, worked for a local delivery company and eventually parted ways due to money, and decided to work for myself.
As for starting out with a truck, I'm with davekc on waiting until spring at least after new years. You're thinking smart..Cutting your teeth with a fleet owner is a good idea local and OTR work are diferent animals. This will allow both you and your friend to find out if this is a fit without the investment of a truck. I believe taking friends into bed or business is a bad idea as it typically ends up with disaster. If you decide to go in together, just make sure you and your friend can part ways before it destroys your friendship
A WORD OF WARNING!!!!!! SWEAT YOUR PROSPECTIVE CARRIERS.
Ask the hard questions, and lots of them. Don't sign on if they don't pass the gut feeling test. Also never trust what a recruiter tells you. Its their job to get you to sign on.
Don't go all the way on the first date. In other words give that offer a couple days to cool off and think it through. Im sure after the route you will agree that an attorney should be involved with the decision.
One thing to consider getting is your own operating authority.. Yes you will be on the DOT grid, but if you follow the rules most likely show up less than if you work for another Motor Carrier. This is because you don't have to rely on the MC and their drivers not screwing up. Some carriers don't like working with those with their own authority as they often see you as competition which can make slow times tough if you don't have friendly carrier relationships. Most importantly, all the expenses will be on you fuel, maintenance, business expenses, and insurance.
The pros it opens up more opportunities especially if the leasing doesn't work out you can keep the truck hired through brokers your own direct customers / businesses and the general public. You will also have the final say on when, where and if the truck moves and for how much you are paid.
I mentioned insurance, I would recommend Commercial Insurance Solutions first as they specialize in expediters and they run a good shop. If you need something special like high value insurance beyond the 100,000 on the freight and 1 mill liability and C.I.S. cant cover you, PM me I have a couple contacts.
The cool thing about this site is its a good place to ask questions we share our knowledge whatever it may be, and yeah, sometimes we stir up the poo pot, and on occasions get into a piszing contest on a topic or two.
Welcome and good luck
Bob Wolf
The first thing I'd look for is a similarity of outlook, like: do you both have the same expectations, mostly. You don't want to be micromanaged [like checking before accepting or rejecting load offers] if that gets on your nerves, and you want to know what you're expected to do as far as maintenance & repairs, too. [The owner covers the costs, but how much the driver does in the way of working on the truck is variable, depending on knowledge, ability, and inclination.]
Another thing is to make sure there is a contract, and everything discussed and agreed to is in it - an honest fleet owner will have that already.
As DaveKC says, the other drivers are your best source of info on an owner - if he/she doesn't want you to talk to them, then keep looking.
Another thing is to make sure there is a contract, and everything discussed and agreed to is in it - an honest fleet owner will have that already.
As DaveKC says, the other drivers are your best source of info on an owner - if he/she doesn't want you to talk to them, then keep looking.
Good advice Cheri, most good owners want someone who can run the truck intelligently, do the minor stuff, follow a few guide lines and get the job done without the owner having to be worried all the time. Owners will keep track of how things are going but having a good driver is paramount to the operation. The driver does the job.
Drivers like you are what owners are looking for. Anything ever happens to your situation you better call before you do anything else. We would put you in a truck in a minute !!!!!
Thank you all so much. This info is invaluable not only to making a decision but I can only think this info will be a invalueable to the success of ones future endeavors. Bob in response to the bread route after that fiasco anything involving a contract a laywer will look at for me. They write them so I always want someone on my side looking out for my best interests. These contracts are writen to benefit the company and really the company only so I am extremely cautious to sign anything now. Its life you learn from ypur failures as much as success.
I did the team straight truck, non-same household route. I wish I had something positive to say about my experience. Financially was a bust. Just was not enough money to go around driving for an owner. Been there, done that, would never do it again with that set up. Also, Important to remember. No matter how good of friends you are, you never really know someone until your living in a box 
Are u still in the game. Our end game is to work together to learn. Eventually for both buy trucks separately and o/o. We both understand its not a get rich profession. He has been driving and sonetimes sleeping in one ton van. We have worked together for awhile also. Still not living in a truck but we can't possibly know until we try.