n00b wants to be a O/O

[aaronfisher]

hello all
i am just 2 weeks away from getting my BC CDL class1 and i was thinking about becoming a O/O so i guess my questions boil down to is this a smart idea and if i do go this route how would i go bout getting work with my truck?

[Harry]

My advise is, drive first for a good Company before you buy a truck. Maybe you will change your mind after wards, but in this case you would loose no money.:Trucker:

[aaronfisher]

bookworm what records would that be like fuel and distance and tires n oil ?

[Mr Bee]

bookworm what records would that be like fuel and distance and tires n oil ?
Track the miles the truck runs, the fuel, tires and any maintenance items as best you can.
You also need to factor in book keeping, a good tax accountant, disability insurance.
Plates and truck insurance, are they supplied or do you pickup the tab. Loaded mileage rates verses empty miles.
Fuel surcharge and how is it calculated.
Most business experts will tell you to pay yourself first. That's not always possible in small business, but if there isn't enough to pay yourself plus a return on your investment, then what's the point?

Be very careful my friend. If the big money was in truck ownership, then the companies would own them. Companies look after their own interest first. Some O/O's are have done very well for themselves and others don't even make drivers wages when all the dust has settled.

[SHAMIC]

Sound advice about driving as a company driver first. IF you absolutely must be an 0/0, and you have some good credit options, look into local work with a one year lease truck from ryder or penske. They include all maintenance, and if you don't like what being an owner operator has to offer, you can give it back at the end of the term, no harm no foul. Being a lease, it is also %100 deductible, which simplifies your accounting at year end. Being a full maintenance lease, your repair bill is also projected very accurately, not depending on luck.
There are plenty of different scenarios with companies; some want you to run their plates and insurance, some don't. I know with Ryder, they have VERY competitive insurance options that you can opt for on the lease. Just don't get a fuel program with them; the deposit is HUGE

[MHL1965]

I am someone who thought like you did and thought I might own my own truck just shortly after I got into the business. Then I sat down with an o/o in my company and he showed me his numbers. By the time he got done, we were making the same money take home, but he was working a lot harder for it.

If you are going to become an o/o, get on with a company that wont tie your truck up to take outside freight. IN otherwards, learn a lot about the business before you drive, and look at getting your own running rights. Look at going with Landstar where you pick and choose your loads and get paid a percentage of revenue.

Also, if you have Sirius, listen to Dave Rutherfords show on the Roaddog channel every night. Listen to the conversations he is having and the mentality you HAVE To adapt if you own your own truck.

You are not even with your CDL and you want to own a truck. It is a naive but noble thought. Get 2 to 3 years behind you, learn all you can...and THEN you will know what you are getting yourself into.

[JReid]

Well what happened to aaronfisher is he a o/o yet.Ins. would be a unreal.I know when I got my first truck with 20 year's exp.as company driver it was $10,000.00 just for Ont.Every year after though it did go down as long as I had no claim's.

[ralph]

Well what happened to aaronfisher is he a o/o yet.Ins. would be a unreal.I know when I got my first truck with 20 year's exp.as company driver it was $10,000.00 just for Ont.Every year after though it did go down as long as I had no claim's.

He's running a mixer.

[JReid]

I wonder what made him change his mind about being o/o it might be interesting to know.

[aaronfisher]

i still want to be a O/O but i got offered a job running a mixer (81 Ford L9000), a 5ton (03 KW T300) and a yard mule (86 FL) and im getting more time backing up then i do heading down the road plus retared amounts of time working in the warehouse and now that winter is setting in ive havnt had any real time on the road and im taking the advise i got here to wait and see how the economy is doign first if i become a company driver for 20-25 bones an hour with beifits id prob stick with that but if the opertunity persents itself ill become a O/O

[OilPatchTrucker]

Another things to think about.. if you sign on with a company that has company trucdks too.. be aware that when things slow down the company trucks will get first dispatch and the O/O's will be sucking the hind tit. I see it where I work as we have about 8 O/O's all long term I must add, and the company trucks get fed first...Do what you have to do for now to get experience and learn the ins and outs of the business, and then if in 3 or 4 yrs you still want to do it then by all means doi it and good luck to you...

[Marmaduke]

I would find it interesting to find out why you want to have your own truck? Does it come down to bling bling shinny wheels? Do you have any business expierience? How will you get the fuel tanks filled? Can you and your family afford the RISK?
OPPS sorry I didn't realize how old this post was.

[brolarter]

I've been running ten years as a company diver for a few companies, and tought about being a O/O time and again.. When I get that feeling I go talk to some O/O's and it takes that feeling right out of me..lol
seriously drive first as a company driver, get the feel for it. there are many options and decisions you have to make about getting your own truck and running it.
Some people start to drive and after 6 months to a year relise its not for them, If you buy a truck right from the start and you become one of those people who don't like trucking your stuck with a truck and payments..

[mc94xr7]

whats with all these newbs thinking they are gonna make a million dollars by buying a new truck and paying over $5.00 a gallon? i got scared out of that dream a near the end of winter