still brainstorming

[joegoblue]

Looking for opinions on what would be a better choice for me. Having my own cube van (9600 GVW) or finding someone to team with driving someone's "D" size truck.These are some of the things I've come up with so far.The van I could pay cash for and if for some reason things didn't work out in expediting could be used in another business.Also in the van I wouldn't have to share the profits with another person.
On the "D" size truck it seems like teams pull in the most revenue but would have to learn to live with someone in a small space.The cost also would make it so I would drive someone else's truck.I'm sure theres a lot more points on both sides and plan on being at the truck show in Kentucky to learn more.
Thanks Joe

 

[MSinger]

You may look into a used Penske GMC 3500 cube. There are several on Ebay right now. They have 10,000# GVWR which keeps you under 10,001.
They are 15' long. The other advantage is they are mounted on a dually chassis making the boxes wider. You should be able to get two 45" wide skids side by side. Also the floor is flat (no wheel wells).
They also have a pass through door so you could feasibly take the front 36" of the box to make a sleeper than have enough room left in the box for 5 or 6 "light" skids as we never want to run overloaded : )
The 2002 and older units have the old reliable 5.7 350's. and the newer ones have the 6.0 V8.
I also checked the Supreme Corp. website and they are showing some 2006's of the same chassis with the newly available 6.6 Duramax Diesel.

 

[BigBusBob]

Joe, what is your background regarding the transportation industry?
do you have trucking background and/or commercial driving background?

Team driving takes alot of trust, owning takes alot of money and careful business planning and budgeting. Teaming is nice so long as you can get along well with the other person.

Perhaps sometin' for you to consider is driving team or solo in somebody else's rig. That way you can see if it's for you before you take that financial jump into ownership.

 

[joegoblue]

I don't have any experience in trucking.I have been in a factory for 28 years but am being downsized.They are letting us go in waves and my turn is coming soon.I'm only 47 years old and ready to start a new career.I am taking a bad thing and turning it into something good.I know trucking has a down side and am going in with my eyes wide open.I am not looking at getting rich just making a living for my family.Still have two kids at home but in a few years my wife plans on joining me and teaming.
Thanks Joe

 

[BigBusBob]

The 1st thing I want to tell you since you have a family at home... make sure you have a good cell phone plan - Like Cingular, Verizon, or Sprint.

You'll want to have a National calling plan, and you'll also want to have a plan that will have your nite/wkend minutes start at 7pm instead of 9pm - that will save you money.
Perhaps something to consider as well if you don't have one already is a phone with a camera built into it so you can "bring the road and Dad home" thru e-mail.
Having a good text msg. and multi-media (e-mail and internet) pckage on your cell phone can be a help. Invest in a good headset too.

That will help you to stay connected with your family.
Very Important.

2nd, since you have no experience in the transport biz,
Seriously consider on driving for a fleet owner in one of the larger expedited carriers. You won't have any investments to make, esp. if you can get a deal where they pay the fuel/tolls.
You'll be able to see if you like the road life or not
with no finance charges.

You're talkin' about a serious change, no homecooked meals.
No regular TV (unless you get a satalite system of some kind for the truck). No recliner, No sofa to stretch out on.
No sink with hot water (in most trucks), no bathroom readily available at times. No freezers or refrigerators most likely, and you could not even have a microwave available to you.

Big Change, no wife or kids to be with, to see and hold,
for extended periods of time.
No family or friends to hang out with.

The road is as glorious as you make it out to be.
However, it is a big change if your coming out of a factory job or any job where you've been home every nite for a long time.

You'll essentially be living out of a truck and truckstop.

Just giving you things to consider, not trying to scare you,
just tellin' you the facts.

Best of luck to you,

BigBob

 

[tom tinker]

Tom Tinker former factory worker 35 yrs. seeing sun shine and seeing variety of things is stimulating.
Verizon family plan awesome we have, call Las Vegas just like next door, Norhtern Michigan no lost signal.
Big Bus Bob you did nice job on laying cards on the table. Some more good advice from this site. I'm registered on another o/o site don't go there much hard to follow, never posted there, I'm confused enough.
Grand Rapids Mi. area Tom Tinker

 

[joegoblue]

Thanks BigBob for the advise.I am leaning toward driving for someone. OK next question Do you find in hard teaming with someone in a small area like a truck. That is the one thing that scares me.
Hey Tom I live in Caledonia,MI I would loved to have lunch sometime when your in town..............Joe

 

[Moot]

I teamed with an older experienced driver in a single bunk cab-over freightliner. Guess who slept over the doghouse? We were pulling a reefer and ran steady. Only did it for six weeks but gained years of knowledge from an old pro.
Expediting involves some down time. With a big sleeper and 2 beds it can be tolerable. Tough it out and you will learn alot.

 

[Broompilot]

Many great suggestions here. But the big one is finacial, from what I have heard it is very difficult if not almost impossible to make a decent living teaming for two seperate people. You have a family that obviously has finacial obligations, keep asking and go thru the archives here.

I believe you can make more with the cube van, once again read these Posts on the question you asked over several times. The cube is not gona give you any luxury for living. I wish you luck.