NEWBIE QUESTiON

[cbehrens]

I have several questions, and any information would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance. I am looking at buying an expedite truck from what I have read a class D with a 24' box is the best way to go. My first question is as a solo driver willing to run 3-4 weeks then maybe 5 days off what kind of money can i expect to make. Is a white glove ready truck the way to go how much more can i make white glove with say fedex? How much waiting to class d expediters usually have. because i really want to make money. what does anybody think of the freightliner m2 6sp, 280 mercedes engine? Is the 6spd manual good, does it hold up, is it enough gears? What company is best for a solo hardwarking driver? what about a tag axle with a freightliner m2 is that necessary? Dual tanks good or bad, just wondering because of weight, but then i though hey if i find a good deal on fuel plus less stopping. Is a air weight scale good idea, or a waste of money? Is the Freightliner M2 going to last me because i want something that will last me 5 or 6 years probably about 5? what kind of miles can i expect to put on my truck a year. Lastly is there enough business for a newbie, or should I become a company t/t driver?
thanks for all your help
please post here or email me at [email protected]

charles

 

[Glen Rice]

Not knowing what you have for experience is telling me you probably have none? If that is the case I highly recommend you drive for a fleet owner for about a year to see the good and bad times in expediting. You would not make a good white glove candidate as a single operator. And the fact you buy a white glove truck does not put you in the fleet. Many people apply to white glove and many never make it. Sorry for the reality check. The M2 is not a bad truck, you need more power than 280. That is why they are for sale in the first place. Small HP and tiny trans are cheap to build and not necessarily what you need. Get your feet wet first before jumping in the lake. This will save you many sleepless nights and years of living on Tums and Rolaids! Good luck and come on in the waters fine. Just be cautious.

 

[cbehrens]

No I have no expedite experience, I have 1 year experience driving a straight truck, and have been around the trucking industry all my life. It doesnt matter how much work it will take I am going to make a go of this. I have a degree in Business and cannot find a job that pays #####. I have a good head on my shoulders. Should I consider a truck more like the Internation 7500 price is a little more I found a new one spec like so:

2005 International 7500
Features: International HT 530 Engine, 320 HP - 2100 RPM, 10 speed manual transmission (Eaton), (33,000 GVW), Dana Spicer I-120W front axle @12000# , Meritor RS-23-160 rear axle @ 23000#, Stabilizer Bar (Front and Rear), Heated mirrors, 3 batteries, Air brakes, International Ride Optimized Suspension, dual fuel tanks (70+70), Cab roof lamp, Air, AM/FM stereo cassette player, Dual Air ride National 2 position seats with arm, CB Radio hook-up.

THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE SLEEPER BUT THE STANDARD SLEEPER AMMENDITIES ARE LISTED

$ 57,750.00

Sleeper Features: Fully padded walk thru opening, 5" foam mattress/ sleeper curtain, Thermostatically controlled heater, Air Conditioning, 2 florescent lights in sleeper area, Tall exit door on driver’s side, Storage compartment door on passenger’s side, Fully carpeted flooring
2 Cargo lights in storage compartment, 2 Two way vents on sides/ stainless steel skirts
Painted one Color , Oakwood cabinetry, TV/VCR Combo, Microwave, 3.2 cu Fridge
1750 watt inverter, Digital Alarm Clock/ Aircraft style reading light, 2- 12 volt outlets,
Double Bunk Bed.


Would this be a better truck. I am going to try to find an O/O to start with for maybe 3-6 mos to get my feet wet. Depending on white white glove pay is like I consider finding myself a co-driver that is willing to work also.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[ATeam]

Every question you ask can be answered by reading through the posts in the EO Open Forum. Or, at least you can get a lot closer to the answers you seek while refining your questions along the way.

Allow me to suggest that you set aside a good block of time to research your own questions. Advice offered by others here may be helpful, but if people don't know you well - which we don't on the Internet - the advice can only be helpful in a general way.

Try this. Budget 40 hours of time. It does not have to be consecutive. Read through every post on the EO Open Fourm going back one year. That's easy to do. Just click the "Next Topic" link at the bottom of each page.

Write down the words and concepts you do not understand to research them later. As you read, many of the words and concepts will come clear to you.

As I read your post, I'm reminded of our thought process (wife and me) when we first discovered expediting as a career option. It is easy to and even natural to begin thinking about the truck you wish to drive. A truck is something you can see and feel. A lot of the other information is intangible.

While truck research IS important, be sure to do all the research required for a good start. Then you won't find yourself in a bind down the road.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Ateam gives good advice here. It's important to look in the archives, especially when researching particular companies. Any questions not answered there could be answered in open forum, as most veterans of the business have experience with the major companies.

Here's a suggestion of how I would get into expediting for the first time, knowing what I know now. I would decide what company I want to run for with my future truck/fleet by researching how they do singly or teamwise. I would find an o/o with that company who's ideas fit my plan... ie, don't get one who wants to run teams when I want to go by myself. Since it's near Feb., I know it's lean. I don't count on making a fortune yet. But since I'm running someone else's truck, I know it's not going to kill me financially. I work out a contract with the o/o. I'll decide to run his truck either 4-6 months before getting my own truck, or wait until April of next year. Now granted, this is my opinion here, so don't take it as gospel. A lot of things affect these decisions.
A) I say four to six months if I'm comfortable with the financial end of running a business, and expediting as a whole. I wouldn't go longer than six as that would put me five to six months until the next slow period, and I want to save enough money to run the truck over that period. If anything is in doubt, I'd go to plan B.
B) If I'm not comfortable to go into business by July, I would wait until April of next year. This would give me more experience without killing my pocket, and give me more time to raise the funds and research and find trucks.
Hope that helps you understand the basics in starting up, at least from my viewpoint. Others will have different ideas, but basically everyone will say the same thing... go with an o/o until you're comfortable to go out on your own. One other thing you can do is go over the books with your o/o before you set out on your own, just to see what you can expect financially. I always allow my books to be open for my drivers, as I want them to be successful in copying my good habits and avoiding my bad ones (yes I have them) ;-)
Good luck in your endeavors, and let us know how things turn out.

T-hawk

 

[DocRushing]

Is the highest gear direct or overdrive?
What's the differential ratio?
If the gearing is too slow, you can easily waste a lot of money on both fuel and engine wear.
Best wishes,
Doc.