Testing the water here.

blacktruck · Sep 19, 2013

New guy to the forum mostly. Actually been lurking for a long time but was engaged in other pursuits. Now I'm thinking about this line of work. Long time trucker and former O/O. Been off the road for a few years working abroad and now looking to rejoin life in the US. My views of the industry and things in general in the US has been pretty limited for a long time. I'm considering buying a truck or finding someone needing a good driver just to ease back into it. Any thoughts or advice anyone would like to share would be welcomed. Not saying I would act on any of it but certainly would welcome the input of others. Advice on areas to run or types of trucks to use or companies to use or stay away from is great. I realize asking how much you make is kinda personal but I do want to make more than truck payments/meals while I'm on the road. Not afraid of work at all but I do expect to be paid for it.
Comments, rumors, lies and innuendo are all welcomed here. Tell me what you think of the industry and prospects for growth.
Thanks all..
Truck safe out there.
Ken

mrgoodtude · Sep 19, 2013

Anything can be lucrative if you think outside of the box.

If you want to stay busy and find a Powerball here you will be disappointed, if the "path of least resistance" is your "Peter Principle" you will do ok here.
Only takes a monkey to do our job, (some will disagree) but with a little spit and polish, you can rise to "Ape status"....It is fun here
What are you expectations?

Moot · Oct 6, 2013

Nice looking Transtar II.

WanderngFool · Oct 6, 2013

Since you're probably young (location: Afghanistan ), why consider a field that is so ripe to be taken over by computer driven trucks? It'd be like getting into the buggy whip business in 1895.

If I were a young guy with a long future ahead of me I'd think seriously about diesel repair or plumbing or HVAC. Maybe electrician too but they're doing remarkable things with the wireless transmission of electricity these days and who knows how long that field will be around.

tknight · Oct 6, 2013

Wireless transmission of electric hahah aka lightning!!! Ask Ben Franklin his take on this industry.

WanderngFool · Oct 6, 2013

tknight said:
Wireless transmission of electric hahah aka lightning!!! Ask Ben Franklin his take on this industry.

I said maybe electrician - I didn't say I'm completely buying the idea of wireless transmission. But I've heard it's on the horizon for laptops (45 watts or so) and the only difference between that and powering a power hungry A/C unit is just degree. And things have a way of scaling up in a hurry.

Plumbing on the other hand is golden, at least for a while. Can you picture robotics plumbers coming to people's homes? It's a great visual.

RamblinBob · Oct 11, 2013

Well, I've been doing HVAC work in Michigan for 25 years and I can't stand it any longer. Open up the yellow pages and you'll see that there is way too much competition. The internet has ruined the opportunity to make any profit, and no matter how low your price is, the next guy is lower. Decided about 2 years ago to look for a new career and I think I would enjoy being an O/O. Looking at leasing a 24 ft straight truck under CDL and running freight in Michigan under a large broker. Any thoughts, concerns?

WanderngFool · Oct 11, 2013

RamblinBob said:
Well, I've been doing HVAC work in Michigan for 25 years and I can't stand it any longer. Open up the yellow pages and you'll see that there is way too much competition. The internet has ruined the opportunity to make any profit, and no matter how low your price is, the next guy is lower. Decided about 2 years ago to look for a new career and I think I would enjoy being an O/O. Looking at leasing a 24 ft straight truck under CDL and running freight in Michigan under a large broker. Any thoughts, concerns?

I'm sorry to hear about the internet blues hitting HVAC.

As far as leasing goes, my experience with former employers leasing from Ryder or Penske is that it's very expensive. And I mean very expensive. Personally I think buying your own truck is the way to go. I spent 2 months searching for my current truck after my previous truck died and I think it was time well spent. low miles - sleeper - decent shape on the outside - 33k - air ride and brakes - well under $10k.

26k is ok to start with but I think you'll want to go 33k or higher if you decide to stick with this.

Edit: Is winter your busy season for HVAC? Nov through Feb are pretty tough for finding loads - maybe that would dovetail nicely with your other business and give you a change of pace.

tenntrucker · Oct 12, 2013

Caution, these waters have sharks.

sent from my Galaxy S3

WanderngFool · Oct 12, 2013

tenntrucker said:
Caution, these waters have sharks.

sent from my Galaxy S3

Oh I think I gave him pretty good advice, especially the part about keeping his hand in his existing business. You don't agree?

RamblinBob · Oct 14, 2013

Thanks, WanderngFool. I don't plan on doing anything until spring. Been doing a ton of research in the meantime. I have heard that the winter months are slow, and for a heat guy in Michigan they usually keep us busy. Thanks for the leasing advice, as I had no clue there. Just assumed leasing would keep my costs down, but I was wrong. That's why I'm here, to learn. I see a lot of trucks out there for $20k or so. Most have more than 250k miles on them which sounds like a lot to me, but I'm used to buying cars not trucks. I would like to get a CDL, but the skills test requires me to drive a CDL truck which I don't have yet. That's confusing to me also... have to use a CDL truck for the skills test, but can't operate a CDL truck until you have a CDL license. So, how do you get the truck to the skills test? Again, thanks for the advice !!!

Moot · Oct 14, 2013

RamblinBob said:
The internet has ruined the opportunity to make any profit, and no matter how low your price is, the next guy is lower.

That sounds familiar.

So, how do you get the truck to the skills test? Again, thanks for the advice !!!

One way is to find a person with a CDL to rent a truck for a few days so you can practice and take the test in it.

xiggi · Oct 14, 2013

In many states the testing centers will rent a truck for the test. I think it cost me 150.00 in Indiana.

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123

WanderngFool · Oct 18, 2013

RamblinBob said:
Thanks, WanderngFool. I don't plan on doing anything until spring. Been doing a ton of research in the meantime. I have heard that the winter months are slow, and for a heat guy in Michigan they usually keep us busy. Thanks for the leasing advice, as I had no clue there. Just assumed leasing would keep my costs down, but I was wrong. That's why I'm here, to learn. I see a lot of trucks out there for $20k or so. Most have more than 250k miles on them which sounds like a lot to me, but I'm used to buying cars not trucks. I would like to get a CDL, but the skills test requires me to drive a CDL truck which I don't have yet. That's confusing to me also... have to use a CDL truck for the skills test, but can't operate a CDL truck until you have a CDL license. So, how do you get the truck to the skills test? Again, thanks for the advice !!!

I worked for 2 different companies that did the Ryder/Penske thing. One was a manufacturing company that used 2 semis to deliver their products. With just 2, it wouldn't make sense to own their own trucks and hire a maintenance guy. They did a long term lease on just the tractors (they owned their own trailers), and for them I think it was worth the price.

The other company was a small time warehousing 3pl guy who owned a few straights and did a month 2 month lease from Penske on an air-ride straight. He was getting absolutely killed on the deal. It was a ton of money. I can't even remember if it was over $2K/month or $3K/month. It was insane.

I'm of 2 minds on used trucks. With a $20K truck you'd probably have a payment to make but you'd spend less on maintenance than with an old truck like mine. One thing about old trucks too is that they can give you a rash in funny ways. Brainless people on forklifts won't show any respect for your truck and that will cost you time and money. DOT guys probably treat people with better looking trucks just a little better too and at the end of the day that matters too.

For you though, since you have an existing business, I'd suggest a 26k straight that doesn't cost too much to test the waters.

zorry · Oct 18, 2013

Why not find a part time job to fill in ? No investment.
Maybe weekend work.
That company may let him work into a CDL truck and help him get the CDL if it's beneficial to all parties.