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Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Expedited Trucking Business

If you’re looking to become an expedite owner-operator, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the vehicle you’ll drive. That’s because your vehicle—whether it’s a cargo van, straight truck, or tractor-trailer—determines which trucking carriers you can sign with, what size and types of loads you can take on, and ultimately how much money you’ll be able to make (and keep).

But bigger isn’t always better and cheaper isn’t always more profitable. So, how do you decide which type is best for your expedited trucking business?

Use this checklist as your guide.

1. Solo vs. Team
Will you operate as a solo driver or a team?

Your answer to this question will give you a clearer idea of how much truck your business will be able to support.

You can switch drivers to keep the truck running with fewer breaks as a team. This means that teams can take on longer routes and deliver those loads faster than a solo driver, who must rest at required intervals to comply with hours of service regulations.

So, although savvy solo drivers have found ways to run straight trucks or tractor-trailers profitably, they tend to be better suited for operating cargo vans.

Teams have a built-in advantage over solo drivers in running bigger trucks in a way that supports the costs associated with those vehicles.

2. Timeframe
What is your timeframe for becoming an owner-operator?

If you’re a solo driver looking to break into the business in a relatively short period, then a cargo van is the fastest way to go because of the lower price and down payment required.

But most industry experts recommend that aspiring owner-operators should “test the waters” as a driver for a fleet owner to determine whether you even want to be in the expedite business -- before you make such a big investment in your own truck. Starting as a driver also gives you the opportunity to try different vehicles to help you decide which is best suited to running your business.

3. Demand
What is the carrier demand for the vehicle?

What vehicle types are the trucking carriers on your “short-list” looking for?

If you’re considering buying a cargo van, how are other van owners doing with that carrier? Are they staying busy? The same goes with tractor-trailers.

Ask owner-operators at those carriers to get a real-world perspective before making a final purchase decision.

4. Comfort Level
What is your comfort level with that size vehicle?

You can haul virtually any size and type of freight in a 53-foot trailer, expanding your options and revenue opportunities. But how much experience do you have driving tractor-trailers? How comfortable will you be operating a tractor on a day-to-day basis?

Expedited loads can be stressful enough because you’re often carrying high-value -- and even dangerous -- loads; you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the size of your vehicle, as well.

5. Capacity Requirements
How much truck will your business be able to support?

In other words, will your business make enough money to support the size truck you’re looking to buy?

Run the numbers and have people in the industry “sanity check” your thinking because your financial future ultimately hinges on your decision on the size truck you buy.

The Bottom Line
One factor that makes expedited trucking an attractive business opportunity is that it offers flexibility in the type and size of vehicles you can operate, depending on your goals and budget.

But, choosing the right vehicle for your business can be daunting, especially with the amount of money that’s at stake.

So, before you go “all-in,” talk with smart people who know this industry and can help point you in the best direction for your unique goals and situation.