Becoming an Owner Operator

Posted by Microshlongg@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 17 comments

Company drivers that became owner operators what are the pros and cons I should expect in terms of expenses, maintenance, tax and hometime. In short I’m buying a 23’ cascadia with 320k miles to run dry fan etc.

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17 Comments

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Same-Debate1828@reddit

Literally was an o/o for 10 years. Ask away, I'll answer every question

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InsaneAdam@reddit

What's a realistic rate to put my truck under a company's MC/DOT for? Also wondering what's an expected rate per mile I should be getting? Planning on putting my truck with the company that I've been driving for last few years. P.S. Thanks for your help. I appreciate you sharing your wisdom with the next up and coming underdog (me)

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Th3OneAndOnlyT@reddit

What’s the best truck to buy right now and what route gave you the best money in the 10 years of trucking oo

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Same-Debate1828@reddit

Best truck: Cascadia with a Detroit. Best money: car hauling

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Wardedleaf16@reddit

Second best compared to car hauling?

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STR2@reddit

Same and same.

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robitt88@reddit

You'll get a thousand answers to those questions. No two operations are the same. The best thing you can do is start keeping track of your work now as though you owned the truck. Keep track of how much fuel you're putting in, ask how much repairs cost when you have them done, etc. You should be doing this for a good while before you make a purchase.

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firemarshalbill316@reddit

Best advice on here.

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Beekatiebee@reddit

Respectfully my guy, have you not been watching all the tariff nonsense? Now’s gotta be the worst possible time to get into o/o

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coolsellitcheap@reddit

Have money put away. If truck breaks down or you get sick and dont drive for 2 weeks. The truck payment, insurance etc still has to be paid.

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easymacmac85@reddit

You'll net about the same or less than a company driver, annually, after all expenses including federal taxes. Dragging a dry van, you'll be almost everyone's biiitch, including brokers. But it doesnt hurt going through the experience

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iDanny26@reddit

Have at least 20k saved up before hitting the road.

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Tat2dtrukr@reddit

don’t waste your money on a Crapscadia. buy an older long hood Pete or KW(99 or older)

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STR2@reddit

A well maintained modern Cascadia with low hours is a GREAT business decision. That long nose' 5 miles per gallon will put that man straight outta business from the jump.

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GroundbreakingSir386@reddit

Paperwork is a con and having a business understanding of everything

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Naborsx21@reddit

Your biggest expense that isn't expected is gunna be down time. Nothing more expensive than not working for two weeks... Heh... Heh....

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RKK-Crimsonjade@reddit

Main expenses are truck, fuel , insurance, your pay, then maintenance and taxes. I like the program my company is leased to so they handle a lot of the regulations and business side. Gives me time to figure out spreadsheets and everything that goes with it.