Introduction,and questions.

Truck Monkey · May 21, 2006

Hello everyone,
I`ve been contemplating getting into expediting for awhile now,and have become serious about it in the last month.I`ve been perusing the EO boards in an attempt to glean as much information as I can,as well as to get a "feel",for what`s going on in this industry.I have to say,that you folks seem like a fairly friendly and helpful bunch,from what I can tell.

However,as is with most things in life,there seems to be a fair amount of contradiction,and differing opinions.If I keep reading I`m pretty sure I won`t ever get into this business.So,after reading a post by Randy123 just now,I think I`m going to just "jump right in",hopefully not off a cliff and into the deep end. lol
What I need to do now,is decide what I want to drive,for whom,and where,and weigh the pros and cons between earnings,lifestyle,and hometime.

I`ve read time and again here,how there are too many vans,yet I also see quite a few van drivers here,that appear to be making money.
I like the idea of driving a VAN for a few reasons.
The PROs
- I can drive SOLO
- No logging
- No scaling (although I just read about the michigan law change x( )
- More freedom of movement

The CONs
- Too many vans,not enough runs
- Less money to be made
- Less comfort for sleeping/living
- Hard to stay warm in the winter without an Espar (Brrrr)

Making less money driving a VAN isn`t that big of a concern for me.I`m not looking to get rich,just make a decent income.I`m a single guy with no family or kids.
However,I don`t own a van,and I`m not looking to buy one.I`m just looking to be a driver(for now).And from what I`ve been able to ascertain here,the few guys actually making money,own their VANs.Correct me if I`m wrong please.
Also,can someone tell me if the HOS apply to VANs ?

My other option is to jump into a D unit.I have my CDL-A,but I`m not really interested in pulling a trailer.
It seems like this is the best bet,however from what I`ve read here,an owner can`t make money running a truck with a SOLO driver,unless he IS that driver.From what I gather,the best bet for a driver,is to team with an O/O.I`m just not sure how much I`d enjoy basically living with another guy,in a box.
Any single female owners out there looking for a co-driver ? Strictly platonic,of course.

Ok,I know this post is all over the place,but that`s where my head is at right now.I`ve read so many contradicting posts,coupled with the posts about dishonest owners,the big companies that only care about covering runs,and not your income(FedEx cares,no they dont,yes they do,etc),dishonest shippers incorrectly labeling the BOLs,be patient,dont be patient - and deadhead back to where the action is,etc...
I`ve also been contacted by 9 people,in response to my "driver available" classified.A couple people seemed less than credible,and a couple seemed like genuinely nice people.

As of right now,I`m torn between trying out a VAN(there`s a guy about 20 miles from me with an empty van,running for Panther II),or going with a D unit from "jump".

Any suggestions,and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

"Will work for nanas"

rfrogger120 · May 21, 2006

If income isnt that big of a deal for you try the van out first, my opinion is start off at the bottom and work your way up. It seems like you have the basics down, but if you do go OTR there will be unforseens or newbee mistakes that everyone goes threw.

cheri1122 · May 21, 2006

Welcome, Truck Monkey!(I like the silly name)

I am a van o/o, not looking for a codriver, but will try to help clarify things for you. You can drive solo in any size unit, with a CDL A, the choice is yours - but you didn't mention whether you have Hazmat endorsement, which some carriers require. Even vans are required to log when driving through Alabama, & I think New York, (which I don't do - but that's a risk I knowingly assume). I do log when hauling placarded Hazmat, and pull in the scales. Some states, such as Kentucky, require all commercial vehicles to scale, but without Hazmat on board, it's usually just a drive-thru.
I think the previous reply was good advice, especially if you know of an owner nearby, looking for a driver, (assuming you want to drive for him/her - an honest owner is the only kind you want to drive for) It will allow you to see what it's like, for real, without risking anything. You will get a better idea of how much income you can generate, decide whether you want to move up to a truck, buy your own van, or go get out of it altogether.
I make enough money for myself, and my van is actually pretty comfortable, (the sleeper & bulkhead wall are worth the money, IMO), it just depends on what you consider "enough", whether it's money, hometime, or living space.
As for the contradictory opinions - duh! We're a whole bunch of different people, with different ideas & viewpoints - we just do the same work! (And I think the differing viewpoints is one of this site's strong points...)

Almost forgot: we are not required to abide by HOS, except when logging - we're able to use our own judgement as to what we can safely drive. That's a huge plus in my book, because some days are better, some are worse.
Let us hear from you if you "jump in", ok?

Broompilot · May 22, 2006

Not meaning to be a smart A here, but why would anyone want to just Survive? If your gona do a business, go through all of the hassles we deal with out here just to survive, I just do not get it. If everyone took that position there would be no way any of us would ever make a living.

My other driver came out of someone elses Van, why? With a house paid for $ in the bank no Credit Card Payments, no Car payments he could not make enough to support himself. Food and basic living essentials. Two people sharring a Van theres not enough $ to be made for both to have any left over.

I for one refuse to drive down the road with a load on my truck just to take in the views thorugh a bug splattered windshield. I want to be paid and paid as much as I would working somewhere else with the same amount of expierence. And as for sitting and waiting until the next load...... Good Luck, if I had a Van anyone with just wanting to get by would not be one I would ever even consider hirring I want to generate an income not being greedy buy survival only is not gona benefit me or my Van if I had one. One needs to be hungry, to succeed in business and this is just that business.

Truck Monkey · May 22, 2006

Thanks for the replies.

@ Broompilot -
I didn`t say I just wanted to get by,however I can see where it may have been implied.
I am however,willing to settle for making less money driving a van SOLO,as opposed to making more money driving a D unit,basically shacked up with another guy.The lifestyle vs income trade-off.
If I`m not happy teaming up with a guy in a D unit,it won`t matter HOW much money I make.

p.s. I really shouldn`t post while in a sleepless stupor...That first post kinda sucked. hehe

"Will work for nanas"

phatTweaker · May 22, 2006

While teams are naturally more sought after for D-Units there still should be plenty of solo opportunities for a straight truck and as a solo in a straight truck you should make more money then as a solo in a van.

My advice from one newbie to the other is give a d-unit a try. The vans are appealing for the not needing to log or scale in most states, but to me the potential for more income and a larger sleeper is worth the trade off of having to log and scale in the straight truck.

When I get all my ducks in a row..probably the first week in June I plan on giving a straight truck a try.

good luck on whichever one you choose.

dieselphreak2K · May 22, 2006

It is very possible to make a sucessful buisness as a solo in a D Unit. I started in a van, that i didn't own. I was scraping by from load to load, and borrowing alot of cash from family members. I stayed with the same owner, and got into a D unit, and things improved. I was doing well enough to put my A on the line, and purchase my own truck, which I can say I'm very happy I did.

jackdixon_2000 · May 22, 2006

I have to agree with the others. Since you allready have a class a licence you ought to strogly consider finding a d unit owner to hire on with. You probably won't find a fancy rig to drive but even an old stock rig is better then a van for comfort and less time sitting waiting for loads.
If you would deceide to go that route and you run into a shortage of oppertunities in the EO classifieds I do know an owner that would hire a solo driver for his older truck, again I am not lookin to step on toes, he is just a friend that has a truck sittin

arkjarhead · May 22, 2006

I'll be honest with you i do good driving solo in a straight truck. I didn't when I was with Panther II mainly because they didn't seem to give solos very many miles. Do you have otr t/t experience? I do and I wish I was expediting in a t/t. The reason is if there is no expedite freight chances are a good company could find you some good general freight. If the company is more concerned with lining their own pocket they will leave you to sit instead. Most people on this site might not want to admit it, but we are truckers working in the trucking business and the trucking business is cut throat. Plain and simple.