NEED INPUT ON ADDING ANOTHER TRUCK

[NEVERHOME247]

NEED INPUT FROM ANYONE OUT THERE. THAT IS DRIVING ONE TRUCK AND HAS A DRIVER IN ANOTHER. I CURRENTLY HAVE ONE TRUCK THAT THE WIFE AND I RUN TEAM IN AND ARE DOING QUITE WELL. WE HAVE BEEN TOSSING AROUND THE THOUGHT OF PURCHASING A NEW TRUCK AND PUTTING A DRIVER IN THE UNIT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. OR TRADING OFF THE OLD AND PURCHASING TWO NEW UNITS AND DRIVING ONE AND PUTTING A TEAM IN THE SECOND. I GUESS THE INPUT I AM LOOKING FOR IS: IS IT PROFITABLE TO ADD A SECOND UNIT? IS IT HARD TO FIND GOOD DRIVERS AND RETAIN THEM? AND FIND DRIVERS WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT AND NOT TRASH IT? HOW ARE YOU PAYING YOUR DRIVERS? I.E. PERCENTAGE OR PER MILE? DO YOU HAVE A THIRD PARTY TO MANAGE THE UNIT WITH THE DRIVER IN IT? OR CAN IT BE EASILY DONE YOURSELF WHILE YOU ARE OUT ON THE ROAD? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROS AND CONS OF ADDING A SECOND UNIT? REALLY WOULD APPRECCIATE ANY ONES COMMENTS FROM BOTH OWNERS AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO IS CURRENTLY DRIVING FOR SOMEONE... THANKS!

 

[bret]

I have'nt tried to find another driver before, therefore I can't really give you advice on that. I do know that companies have a list of drivers who are looking for an owner to drive for.
As far as driver pay, there are two basic ways to pay a driver.
The most common, is to pay a driver on a percentage of truck revenue. This method encourages one to stay busy annd work and protects the owner from low revenue periods. I have heard of drivers beeing paid base salarys, but it's rare and not recomended.
Back to percentages, you can have the driver pay for nothing and pay him between %25-35. Or you can have the driver pay for fuel and pay him %45-60 of revenue. Tolls can go either way. Maintenance and repairs should allways be the responsibility of the owner.

 

[geo]

this is the wrong time of the year to add trucks, wait until the spring to add as this is the slow time coming up in jan-mar
but if your looking for a truck to buy call tsi 800 388 3850
ask for dan, has great prices on new western star