Looking to move up

[Jeeper]

Hello everyone. Looking to seek some advice or some tips from moving up from a cv to a straight. Been in a cv with panther almost two years as a fleet driver. I enjoy cargo van work but my dream is o/o straight truck. But just dont have the extra money for back up/break downs nor a good team driver which is leading me to my question. Would it be worth while to obtain my class B license and try to find solo work with a fleet to get my " feet wet " or stick where im at till I can find a good team driver and the extra money for back up? Im really wanting to give expediters services a try instead of o/o but they only take teams and from the reading I been doing its hard to make it with out the 2nd driver. I dont like the idea of teaming with a stranger. But cant find anyone at the same time I know that will team what to do what to do ?

Have also toyed with the idea as o/o sprinter but havent had the best of luck with consistent miles per week with panther to make my decision solid and feel good about my decision. I thought about switching companies and seeing if my luck changes but will have to see in the near future.

 

[JimF51]

Jeeper, I'm solo in a straight right now, driving for a owner. I'm doing fairly well, keeping busy and making fairly decent, for me, money. My owner isn't pushing a team in the truck, as he feels (and I agree) that a 2 household team often doesn't make a decent income. As long as he and I are happy with what the truck is making, we'll keep it solo.

The wife and I aren't high maint., so are needed income levels aren't that high, and she already has a good paying job.

Your needs will most likely be different.

Jim

 

[Jeeper]

Thank you for your reply. Glad to see your doing good solo. I really want experience in a straight before going o/o and im wanting to go the route your going working as a fleet driver. I have around $600 in bills a month so as long as i make that i will be somewhat happy haha. What company is the truck leased on with if you dont mind me asking ? And are you paying for fuel ? If so how are you doing with that with the fsc and all. Is it paying for the fuel or are you having to add more money to it ? That was another concern of mine. Thanks again

 

[nightcreacher]

fsc doesnt pay for the fuel.it just stabilizes it from being so high.If your expecting the fsc to buy your fuel,you better rethink becoming an OO

 

[JimF51]

Jeeper, right now the truck is on with FedEx, but that may change. I get 60% of load pay, 100% FSC and I pay for fuel. The FSC doesn't pay for fuel, I pay out aprox. 10 to 11 cents per mile for fuel. Just have to run smart and try and get the best mpg you can.

 

[Jeeper]

ok thanks for the info. No i wasnt expecting it to pay for fuel but I was hoping it would cover the majority. I know for the cargo van im in now the fsc covers the fuel and then some but I know when you step up to a larger truck the mpg goes way down and the fuel price goes up so I understand.

But on the other hand found a team driver. Just working out getting him his cdl. Gonna look to get on with expediter services or maybe another fleet owner for time being. He wants to give cargo van a try and I like cargo van work just not enough miles and money in it that I can see for two people including no where near the space we need like we would have in a straight.

 

[Zoli]

If you make 2000 -2500 per month stay there. I had a cargo van driver who quit from me after he drove for me one year. He bought his own cargo van. After a year and a half he lost his van and now he is home bankrupt. Being an o/o it is not so simple. You need more than a down payment. Also I have now a driver on my st who before was o/o . He bought his own st two years ago. He went broke and now he owns to the bank $ 40 000. He receive phone calls everyday from the bank and finally he will be in court. So guys ,think twice before you go in something! Just a friendly advice.

 

[Jeeper]

If you make 2000 -2500 per month stay there. I had a cargo van driver who quit from me after he drove for me one year. He bought his own cargo van. After a year and a half he lost his van and now he is home bankrupt. Being an o/o it is not so simple. You need more than a down payment. Also I have now a driver on my st who before was o/o . He bought his own st two years ago. He went broke and now he owns to the bank $ 40 000. He receive phone calls everyday from the bank and finally he will be in court. So guys ,think twice before you go in something! Just a friendly advice.

I make no where near 2000-2500 in a cv as a driver.

But on the other hand has anyone priced class b cdl training these days. Jeez Most places are looking for $1295 to $1600 for a 7 day training course. What a rip off. I was expecting to see it close to $1000 or lower. But on the other hand its a skill you can take with you for the rest of your life. After you get tired of over the road can always find local work. So it might be worth it