On my own
- Thread starter truckergirl
- Start date
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Moot said " Rec... you drive an Owners Van for a While." I dissagree if you want to spend more than you make than follow that advice.
I have posted it many times and it is so typical in a Van, simply put there aint enough money to buy yourself, fuel and dog food to survive. Think I am kidding just try it, theres Mighty Dog, Alpo, and the other dry brands.
I have never ever seen a driver for an Owner living above the Poverty level ever in a Van, the econimics prove this point out. Bad Advice you can work at any fast food joint or cahsier at a Convience and probably make 3-4 times as much take home a month.
I take it back (never) I know of one guy but his split aint 40-60 and he has been doing this for about close to 10 years, I do not know him but the owner of his van (special circumstance).
Just some advice I hate to see people like XXXX and Chuckwagon go from broke to less according to there post.
I have posted it many times and it is so typical in a Van, simply put there aint enough money to buy yourself, fuel and dog food to survive. Think I am kidding just try it, theres Mighty Dog, Alpo, and the other dry brands.
I have never ever seen a driver for an Owner living above the Poverty level ever in a Van, the econimics prove this point out. Bad Advice you can work at any fast food joint or cahsier at a Convience and probably make 3-4 times as much take home a month.
I take it back (never) I know of one guy but his split aint 40-60 and he has been doing this for about close to 10 years, I do not know him but the owner of his van (special circumstance).
Just some advice I hate to see people like XXXX and Chuckwagon go from broke to less according to there post.
Hi
I agree. There is not enough money in a van to be divided 2 ways.Some months there isn't enough for one person.I live on money made earlier in the year.In my case household expense takes more than 30% of my annual gross.And unlike fuel,tolls,meals,taxes and repairs these expenses need paid whether the truck rolls or not. Variable truck expense equals 30% of gross, then add in 20% for non variable truck expense such as payment,insurance, and communications.
During a good year I can build a 20% cushion.During a bad year I can loose 20% or more due to a break down, an increase in fuel prices or lack of freight.
An average year I break even.I pay my bills but have to watch every penny.Bad years and average years are very stressfull.
I agree. There is not enough money in a van to be divided 2 ways.Some months there isn't enough for one person.I live on money made earlier in the year.In my case household expense takes more than 30% of my annual gross.And unlike fuel,tolls,meals,taxes and repairs these expenses need paid whether the truck rolls or not. Variable truck expense equals 30% of gross, then add in 20% for non variable truck expense such as payment,insurance, and communications.
During a good year I can build a 20% cushion.During a bad year I can loose 20% or more due to a break down, an increase in fuel prices or lack of freight.
An average year I break even.I pay my bills but have to watch every penny.Bad years and average years are very stressfull.
Truckergirl: I agree with bryan 100%, because my situation is very similiar to hers - the annual cost of living raise doesn't trickle down this far, but the cost of living pays no attention, and keeps going up.
However, if you don't have a household to maintain, or kids to support, and can keep your personal expenses low, driving for an owner is the best way, I think, to find out if you can live this life. As Zak pointed out, sometimes doing the job means finding out that it's not for you. I know Broompilot disagrees, and believes that if you're gonna do it, do it 1000%, and it worked for him, but we don't all have his commitment - especially when we don't have any experience. You won't make a lot of money, but you will know if you can make the commitment that this lifestyle requires, without saddling yourself with debt in the process. Good luck, and do keep us posted, ok?
However, if you don't have a household to maintain, or kids to support, and can keep your personal expenses low, driving for an owner is the best way, I think, to find out if you can live this life. As Zak pointed out, sometimes doing the job means finding out that it's not for you. I know Broompilot disagrees, and believes that if you're gonna do it, do it 1000%, and it worked for him, but we don't all have his commitment - especially when we don't have any experience. You won't make a lot of money, but you will know if you can make the commitment that this lifestyle requires, without saddling yourself with debt in the process. Good luck, and do keep us posted, ok?
truckergirl
Seasoned Expediter
Thanks for the advice! If we do end up driving together we will do straight truck. I was just going to do van if I was by myself because of the HOS rules...It looks right now like we will be heading out together again, probably in a few months. I still have to get my CDL and we are both trying to save up some money right now..
Can anyone tell me if Penske's business trucks (24'-26' CDL weight) have air brakes or not? I asked Penske and they came back with the trucks have "power steering and power assist brakes." That statement leads me to believe that it is a hydraulic brake system, but that may also be from someone who is not truck literate, and just going from the company description of the vehicle. I'm trying to find something to rent for a few days to get Holly on the road to her CDL.
truckergirl
Seasoned Expediter
Yay, CDL time! I am taking my permit test on Tuesday...
Well, we've both sent feelers out to PES (that be Panther you land lubbers 
) via their new Driver/Owner-Op website, which is really together, with it and easy to use. Hopefully, we'll here something from that soon and possibly get the ball rolling on this thing. There was a little bit about helping one get their CDL if they're willing to team, so we're definately looking into that.
) via their new Driver/Owner-Op website, which is really together, with it and easy to use. Hopefully, we'll here something from that soon and possibly get the ball rolling on this thing. There was a little bit about helping one get their CDL if they're willing to team, so we're definately looking into that.
Panther A-Go-Go
Well, the recruiter from Panther gave Holly a call this morning and said we preliminarily checked out to go to orientation with them as early as the Monday after next which should be *carry the one, adjust for pi, division by zero* 29-Jan-07, but we will probably not go quite that early, but not too later afterwards. I'd imagine that we'd probably go in about 3-4 weeks so we can give our current employers the professional courtesy of two weeks notice, as well as pack up the apartment and get other affairs in order and something about a hazmat endorsement or some such nonsense. A team coordinator is supposed to give a tingle on the tele here in a couple axial revolutions and give us some information pertaining to team work (not to be confused with teamwork ). We are rather excited about this and look forward to joining the ranks of great expediters like...well whoever great expediters are/were. :7
Also, we get to bring our lovable hound with us.
-Zak
Well, the recruiter from Panther gave Holly a call this morning and said we preliminarily checked out to go to orientation with them as early as the Monday after next which should be *carry the one, adjust for pi, division by zero* 29-Jan-07, but we will probably not go quite that early, but not too later afterwards. I'd imagine that we'd probably go in about 3-4 weeks so we can give our current employers the professional courtesy of two weeks notice, as well as pack up the apartment and get other affairs in order and something about a hazmat endorsement or some such nonsense. A team coordinator is supposed to give a tingle on the tele here in a couple axial revolutions and give us some information pertaining to team work (not to be confused with teamwork
). We are rather excited about this and look forward to joining the ranks of great expediters like...well whoever great expediters are/were. :7 Also, we get to bring our lovable hound with us.
-Zak
RE: Panther A-Go-Go
We got a call from an owner with Panther today giving us details about their M-O. They purport the truck they'd be putting us in is an '06 KW, I don't know what model, but they called Holly not me, and she was more interested in the 96" sleeper than the other important parts of the truck, so much so that she forget to ask about the transmission.
They offer a 60/40 + FSC and an 80/20 + FSC. We'll take the 60/40 obviously as we don't want to make truck-lease payments right off the bat. And we'll have a copy of the contract to peruse this week and seek advisement on.
I expect to hear from a couple more owners so we can do a little comparison shopping, because I'm a firm believer in not taking the first offer until I can see other offers, especially in a business transaction of this nature.
We got a call from an owner with Panther today giving us details about their M-O. They purport the truck they'd be putting us in is an '06 KW, I don't know what model, but they called Holly not me, and she was more interested in the 96" sleeper than the other important parts of the truck, so much so that she forget to ask about the transmission.
They offer a 60/40 + FSC and an 80/20 + FSC. We'll take the 60/40 obviously as we don't want to make truck-lease payments right off the bat. And we'll have a copy of the contract to peruse this week and seek advisement on.
I expect to hear from a couple more owners so we can do a little comparison shopping, because I'm a firm believer in not taking the first offer until I can see other offers, especially in a business transaction of this nature.
RE: Panther A-Go-Go
If you haven't already been there, check this site for appropriate questions for your prospecive owners and/or carrier.
http://www.ooida.com/Swimming_sharks/help_list_owner_ops.html
If you haven't already been there, check this site for appropriate questions for your prospecive owners and/or carrier.
http://www.ooida.com/Swimming_sharks/help_list_owner_ops.html