Starting my own company
Posted by mnbvc94@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Im going to be buying my own rig in the next month and hiring a driver with plans to expand to a 5 vehicle fleet. Looking for advice on where everyone is seeing the best margins. My plan is to get an aluminum flat bed and start by hauling material for local companies. Would hauling equipment and springing for a lowboy off the bat be a better idea? what are you guys seeing and charging out there?
cCueBasE@reddit
What area are you in?
mnbvc94@reddit (OP)
South Easter PA
cCueBasE@reddit
I would start networking and try to find work before you even think about buying a truck. There’s definitely money to be made with a lowboy, but you’re going to have to pay a very experienced driver (especially in PA) and that is going to eliminate any potential profit you’re going to make.
Silver-Tea-8769@reddit
If you don't have a direct (and hopefully contracted) customer you're going to lose your ass. The spot market is a losing game in the long run as well. If you're just looking to throw your money away you can just send it to me directly.
Sullen_One@reddit
Haven’t seen one of these post today!
TelephoneNo7244@reddit
Tbh. You are better off running your own truck as an o/o. Especially in this market, there will be no margins once you pay your driver and all expenses. Especially if you just start and your dot is new. You won’t get the fuel discounts and such like these other carriers that have been in the industry for a while. I’m leased on to a small company but he gets great discounts at the pump. .40 to $1.00 off the pump price. I’m taking home $1500-$3000 after expenses and $600 a week truck payment. You would be left with $200-500 a week per truck if there are zero maintenance expenses
GrouchyEric@reddit
You should definitely buy a lowboy right away. At least a 100k# capacity. Hire drivers straight outta school cause you can pay them shit and they're too nieve to know better.
You really seem like a smart fellow who's done the research and knows what he's getting into. Best of luck!
JustAGuyTrynaSurvive@reddit
Don't do it. You will regret it.
FilthyNasty626@reddit
Have you seen the rates and average net income lately? Have you missed the thousands of posts about companies going belly up the padt few years? Former independent here. Recently retired after 16 years. Personally, I think you are nuts or ill informed but from the bottom of my heart I wish you the best and hope you make it work.
BobdeBouwer__@reddit
The trucking industry has always relied on people like OP. Always have and always will.
I'm independent but without my own truck. I can walk away any day without losses. My only investment is my CDL and my backpack with lunchbox.
I'd say when there is a niche and you can find an excellent customer that is NOT another trucking / transportation company then buying a truck might be worth it.
The key lies in finding work where not the lowest price but a high quality of service is all that counts.
Onthecrosshairs@reddit
Don't waste your time thinking of just 5 or soon trucks. Go big or go home.....at least 20 to 30 will get you some "power" as a company that has enough haul capability to do the job.
I had a few in the early 90s and all I did was work 24/7/365 for chump change.
FlamingoAlert7032@reddit
Rates are too low
Pitiful-MobileGamer@reddit
You know the secret to making a million dollars in the trucking industry?
Starting out with a million and a half.
Self-driving owner operators are having a hell of a time making ends meet, having the pay driver expenses on top of a single truck Fleet? I hope you have deep cash reserves.
Defiant_Network_3069@reddit
It's a good time to be a company driver.
Yes it's a good time to buy a rig.
Very bad time to start a business in trucking.
Rates are so low right now.
PhoenixSmasher@reddit
Big if, but if you can survive the market bottom, you'll thrive on the upswing. Make sure you're speccing your truck properly.