Solo Drivers.......is it worth it?

[porkchop1981]

Ok, so I've spent the last hour or 2 going back through and reading all the old stuff. Seems that everyone was saying that solos can't make it out there. I'm sure some of you read my post about houston and cargo vans, but after doing more and more research I'm wondering if the solo guys can and do make it? Is there a better carrier for solos or its all just who ya like personally?

Thanks for the guidance...again

Chop

 

[Tennesseahawk]

It's not so much that solos can't make it; it's whether or not a good company will take more on. If not, you're looking at one of the bottom dwellers who will give you 4-5000 miles a week at .95/mile. In which case, I hope you don't like to sleep!

 

[fortwayne]

I dont know about solo cargo vans, but, solo straight truck drivers can make a decent living. Then again, what I may consider a decent living maybe pocket change for someone else.

The problem is that most carriers don't want a truck that can only move 11-hours down the road, they prefer 22-hours of driving down the road. Most owner/operators now have that same feeling, afterall, their truck payment is the same with a solo driver or a team so why not have it moving 22-hours a day down the road.

But, there are carriers out there that will take a solo truck on, once again I don't know about cargo vans, but some carriers are still taking solo straight trucks on.

I prefer driving solo, I have always made a decent living while driving solo, but I don't turn stuff down anymore, I go any and everywhere, I also picked up my hazmat to ensure I don't loose out on a load if I am in some low freight lane with 10 other trucks but they don't have hazmat.

I can tell you this, if you are an owner-operator of a straight truck, I would suggest calling Tran Stewart out of Osseo, Michigan; Load One out of Taylor, Michigan or C&M out of Ohio. I can tell you these companies take solo drivers or solo owner-operators.

IMO I would not run for any expedite company that is not a member of the Expedite Alliance. It is this alliance that sets various business standards for its members and also shares freight shipments within its membership, thus, as drivers increases our chances of obtaining quality good paying freight loads.

 

[highway star]

C&M is only taking teams.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I can tell you this, if you are an owner-operator of a straight truck, I would suggest calling Tran Stewart out of Osseo, Michigan; Load One out of Taylor, Michigan or C&M out of Ohio. I can tell you these companies take solo drivers or solo owner-operators.

The carriers named you'll also note do not babysit you....It is the drivers responsibility to keep their log legal and run accordingly.

 

[guido4475]

I think that people who say solos cant make it are full of crap, to be honest.I've been a solo since 1989, and have done well.I've made some bad decisions, but have managed to do well.There used to be an old saying in this business,That you cant feed 2 families out of 1 truck.And as far as a cargo van goes, I could never understand why the need for a team in one of those to begin with.

But, now, with the new hours of service/violation point system,it will be tough for solos, especially those who have one of those house-sized truck payments.The day of renegade companies and drivers has come to an end.And those who believe differently, it will only be a matter of time before you get caught.And I believe someday, vans will be regulated. I dont know how, since so many different type of people use a van for so many different things.It would be difficult.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

ya know every vehicle on the road is regulated. the DOT/cops can pull anyone over at anytime if it looks unsafe to be on the road...

 

[guido4475]

ya know every vehicle on the road is regulated. the DOT/cops can pull anyone over at anytime if it looks unsafe to be on the road...

But how many times has a van been pulled over and dot'd? A few, I'm sure, but not many.And as far as looking unsafe,My DOT freind has always told me the #1 reason for a vehicle getting pulled around back is because of lack of cleanliness, and excessive crap on the dashboard.The reason they do this is they have told me they feel if a driver/owner doesnt care enough about his/her vehicle to keep it clean, then they most likely dont care about the maintenance as well.I'm sure there are some rare cases where this is untrue.

 

[xiggi]

When it comes to cargo vans I think you will find the majority are still solo. Personally I would stay away from the larger companies that limit your hours on duty in a cargo van and have huge numbers of vans. When freight is heavy those companies can get you good miles even with the limits but when it is slow and your sitting for a couple three days waiting for your number to come up and then get a 200 mile load offer it is tuff to make money.

 

[guido4475]

That is one of the many reasons I have stayed away from the larger co's out there.Tickled to death where I am at.

 

[porkchop1981]

Thanks for all the input! I'm starting to get the big picture of expedite from this board. I'm reading and asking and reading more and 2 + 2 is starting to add up. The trends seem to follow from where I have been in trucking and its starting to make sense esp when yall mentioned the info about the smaller companies. I'm still searching for a solo van/straight job. I'll be posting another ad on here later today. I've been in contact with 2 people that are owner financing but I haven't had any "job" offers. I'd rather drive for someone for 6 months/year and then do a purchase. Is it helpful to apply to these companies and then advertise that I'm qualified through them or just wait till I find someone and apply to his/her carrier?

chop

 

[Poorboy]

Thanks for all the input! I'm starting to get the big picture of expedite from this board. I'm reading and asking and reading more and 2 + 2 is starting to add up. The trends seem to follow from where I have been in trucking and its starting to make sense esp when yall mentioned the info about the smaller companies. I'm still searching for a solo van/straight job. I'll be posting another ad on here later today. I've been in contact with 2 people that are owner financing but I haven't had any "job" offers. I'd rather drive for someone for 6 months/year and then do a purchase. Is it helpful to apply to these companies and then advertise that I'm qualified through them or just wait till I find someone and apply to his/her carrier?

chop

I would apply to the Company Or Companies that You Might want to work with, Ask A-Lot of Questions and then when you Decide on which Company, Apply to them and If and when You Got approved then The Company will Usually Give you some Phone Numbers of Owners Looking for Drivers, Then Call Them! Good Luck

 

[Dakota]

especially those who have one of those house-sized truck payments.

Hey!!!! I resemble that remark, my lease payment is twice what my mortgage is LOL

 

[guido4475]

Hey!!!! I resemble that remark, my lease payment is twice what my mortgage is LOL

For a daycab straight truck? Geez, dude, what do you have in the cab, a 52" plasma tv?

 

[cheri1122]

Porkchop: That we [EO] have several successful solos in cargo vans [Moot, Turtle, RELENT, Guido, sometimes Ontariovanman, ChefDennis, et al] says it CAN be done - if you're knowledgeable and motivated.
Doesn't hurt to have minimal expenses, and/or a spouse with an income, as well.
There's just so many same household teams available, and I can't help but wonder how many teams formed solely in response to the HOS rules implode pretty quickly - and how many do it while under a load.....
As for me, solo is worth it, no question.

 

[porkchop1981]

So I just spoke with someone that is looking to lease the truck. I have ran the obvious figures of mile/income/fuel/maintance and I've come to determind this. Let me know how accurate, or close or off I am.

To make the payments, fuel, insurance and maintance I would need a MIN of 900 miles per week at a MIN rate of .95 per mile.

At these figures, it pays the truck and all needed expenses. HOWEVER that figure doesn't allow for a major breakdown, this I understand.I know everyone will say that I shouldnt risk it unless I have 4x-5x the amount needed to survive and fix a problem in the bank (i have been reading all the back logs).

I'm wondering if 900 miles a week is a fair/good/por assement of what I could expect. Would it even be considerable to "average" 900 miles a week?

Thanks,

Chop

 

[guido4475]

That's what I was wondering, if there is going to be this over-abundance of teams out here.And how many teams will this industry support before some are starving? And it seems like most companies are leaning towards hiring teams only now, due to the hos rules, etc.

 

[xiggi]

So I just spoke with someone that is looking to lease the truck. I have ran the obvious figures of mile/income/fuel/maintance and I've come to determind this. Let me know how accurate, or close or off I am.

To make the payments, fuel, insurance and maintance I would need a MIN of 900 miles per week at a MIN rate of .95 per mile.

At these figures, it pays the truck and all needed expenses. HOWEVER that figure doesn't allow for a major breakdown, this I understand.I know everyone will say that I shouldnt risk it unless I have 4x-5x the amount needed to survive and fix a problem in the bank (i have been reading all the back logs).

I'm wondering if 900 miles a week is a fair/good/por assement of what I could expect. Would it even be considerable to "average" 900 miles a week?

Thanks,

Chop

What size of truck? If you do not average more than 900 miles at any company it is time to start looking for another one. You also need to figure in anything else required, food, insurance, qaulcom, cell phone, etc.

 

[porkchop1981]

What size of truck? If you do not average more than 900 miles at any company it is time to start looking for another one. You also need to figure in anything else required, food, insurance, qaulcom, cell phone, etc.

Thats glad to hear that I should at least get 900/1000 miles a week. The truck 05 w/ a 20ft box. Those figures include my personal food and cell phone (cheap). Insurance, qualcom and all other expenses are in that estimate. That basically is the bare min. that I would need to make a week to pay for itself. The only down fall is I don't have 10K in the bank where if something huge happens I'm covered. I know that is a drawback for sure, but I wanted opinions. I know its got a power train warrenty, but that doesn't pay me anything when its in the shop. .

Just was trying to get an idea of mileage averages....basiccaly I need the 3600 miles a month to support the truck - a major breakdown.

Thoughts?

chop

 

[x06col]

Thats glad to hear that I should at least get 900/1000 miles a week. The truck 05 w/ a 20ft box. Those figures include my personal food and cell phone (cheap). Insurance, qualcom and all other expenses are in that estimate. That basically is the bare min. that I would need to make a week to pay for itself. The only down fall is I don't have 10K in the bank where if something huge happens I'm covered. I know that is a drawback for sure, but I wanted opinions. I know its got a power train warrenty, but that doesn't pay me anything when its in the shop. .

Just was trying to get an idea of mileage averages....basiccaly I need the 3600 miles a month to support the truck - a major breakdown.

Thoughts?

chop

An then if you are like many and only be in service the 80% of the time, yer looking at closer to $2700. And, waiting parts a week, $1800 As you can see, the numbers get pretty small pretty quick.