$50k for tractor, reefer, and local route, what do y’all think?
Posted by AldrichRW@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 117 comments
TLDR: Is this a fair deal? 50k for a 2007 Freightliner Columbia 1.6 mil miles (200k since in-frame rebuild DD60), 2013 Wabash reefer with about 21k hours, and a local route (Florida) that grosses about 4k a week (roughly 1500 miles and $1800 in fuel weekly)
Long version:
I am on the cusp of getting my CDL in the next month or two, hopefully. One of the old drivers who parks their rig on my family's industrial property is retiring (75 years old) and gave me the offer you see above. He takes good care of his stuff and for the age and mileage, it seems in pretty good condition. I'm honestly more interested in the route than the truck, as everything I've been reading about new truck drivers basically states you have to sign on with a mega carrier for at least 1 year and just embrace the prisoner/slave lifestyle until you can sign on with a better company. If I could skip past that step, it might be worth 50k in and of itself.
I know what I'm about to say is blasphemy, but I have no desire to work the type of hours or live the life of a typical OTR driver. I would really like something that was like 3-4 days a week, or seasonal. Time is much more valuable to me than money. This opportunity sounds good to me, and the timing seems to be perfect, but I would like some outside opinions.
From past experience, I know the driver is a fair man and a straight shooter. Getting to have him show me the ropes and being able to draw from his reservoir of knowledge whenever needed would be an additional bonus that money can't buy. But I also know many of the OO's out here are struggling right now, and maybe 50k on a new business venture isn't the wisest choice in this economy. That said, it also means it's a buyer's market.
What do yall think?
chicopepsi@reddit
Oh man. To anyone starting out, I would recommend gaining some experience before becoming an owner operator, because it is not easy at all. If being a truck driver is hard and demands a lot from us, being an owner operator demands even more. I also do not think this is the correct industry if you value more your time than your money.
Local in Florida, you will end up making 2,000-2,500 a week after fuel. You still got to pay insurance, parking, maintenance, taxes, etc..
You can make it, I’m not saying you can’t, But it’s not easy work.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Well said, I appreciate your advice. Are you local to Florida?
chicopepsi@reddit
Yes, I live here.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Great to have some local insight. Are you an o/o? That 2k a week number you mentioned, how many hours would you say you work for that? Not just driving, but all the extra time that goes along with it, maintenance, paperwork etc
chicopepsi@reddit
I think you should ask the person doing the route for a more exact estimate on time, because I never had a dedicated route when I was an owner operator. Now as a driver, I do have a dedicated route and it’s a lot easier. I get to learn the route, the warehouses, and some of the people working there, so the job gets easier. But working 10-12 hours a day is normal in trucking, that’s not a bad day.
I was an owner operator until December 2023, started OTR and then did local in Florida for about a year. I used to haul those smashed cars on a flatbed from the Miami area to Jacksonville, sleep there, and the following morning I picked up wood in Live Oak to bring back to South Florida. That was about 850 miles. In term of mileage it looks easy because it’s just about 400 ~ 450 miles a day, but the picking up and delivering every day is what made me lose time, and sometimes they didn’t have smashed cars to haul, so I had to bring cement or blocks to the Tampa area and then find something else from Tampa to Jacksonville. So it was 2 loads in 1 day.
WatersEdge50@reddit
If it’s that hard, why would anyone ever do it?
chicopepsi@reddit
People do it, and many are successful! I’m just letting him know the truth, because when we think about becoming an owner operator we only think about the money and that’s not everything.
ThePr0fessi0nal@reddit
Freedom primarily. Not having to deal with dispatchers or safety departments. Some companies pay owner operators running on their own authority a shit ton for various reasons. If you can get dedicated routes you can make a LOT in a short time.
Ok_Weekend6350@reddit
a Columbia is gonna get you constantly inspected
at least drive a cornado and look cool while you get a ticket
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard dirty trucks are more likely to get inspected, but I haven’t heard about certain models being more/less targeted. What do you drive?
Ok_Weekend6350@reddit
they are looking at the age too
age condition
you got fucked
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I didn’t buy it, just getting trying to get an idea on the value of a route before I talk to him again
Genericsoda4@reddit
By the time you factor in all your expenses and repairs you’ll be making less than a local company driver, with even more responsibility.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
From what I’ve read in this subreddit over the last year or so, good local jobs aren’t easy to come by, especially for new CDL holders. If I could find a good local gig, especially one that would give me opportunities to get some hands on maintenance of older machinery, that is definitely the route I would go.
Top_Roll_6136@reddit
Are you thinking if you have your own truck then you can stay local?
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That does seem like one of the possible benefits no?
Cheap_Speaker_5481@reddit
I would probably do it. Put another 500k on it and then trade in for a new one. You would be far in front of all the steering wheel holders once you have your own business.
Cheap_Speaker_5481@reddit
Also I have driven them all and the Cascadia drives and the one thing I noticed is that once you stop and get in the bunk you sleep the same just get a really good mattress. Good luck on your new adventure.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
What truck / engine do you think is the most reliable?
Cheap_Speaker_5481@reddit
I have always been a Cummings fan but any engine that you take care of should take care of you. That being said the only engine that I truly hated being behind was Mercedes. They are probably amazing in places around the world but the mountains always sucked because you had to use your gears much more restrictive so your engine brake could work. Not that it didn’t but they never seem to have enough engine brake. Just my opinion
OutcomeSalty337@reddit
Could be the best deal you will ever find, or could be your worst nightmare. Carry a toolbox and some good walking shoes - just in case.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That’s a great quote for life in general 👍
Own-Load-7041@reddit
I'd never buy that model. Nope. Pass. Byeeee
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I know a large majority of trucks on the road are cascadias. What particularly about the Columbia makes it a hard pass for you?
Own-Load-7041@reddit
I drove one just like that one. It was just plain uncomfortable. The seat, the ride, the driving position. I just had been using a Volvo before. In The Volvo I could do max hours every day because it was so much easier on my body. It's probably just me though. Who knows
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Good to know. Thanks for the heads up
adidaman@reddit
This is the worst time in recent years for an experience driver to get into OO life, much less someone who doesn't even have their cdl
chezburger151@reddit
“people like you ruin the industry” and its just a question from somebody who has no experience 😭jeez bro everything okay ar home?
adidaman@reddit
No. Massively lonely and depressed and I take it out on innocent people because I'm a giant douche I guess. Stuck in an industry I havent been happy in for years because I have to keep working to stay alive. Thank you for asking though
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
What about my post makes me sound like a moron if you don’t mind me asking? I know it’s not an easy industry, and have personally witnessed the highs and lows over the last 30 years or so. As far as purchasing equipment goes, I would assume buying in the lows would be preferable, but maybe you can enlighten me with some of your wisdom? I don’t use social media (other than Reddit obviously) but I am curious to know how those types are ruining the industry for you? Thanks for your input
second_chances_26@reddit
If it runs good take it a milk it run hard till the route drys up then dump it
WatersEdge50@reddit
What does milk have to do with anything?
FroPatrol@reddit
As in 'milk it', it's a figure of speech.
second_chances_26@reddit
It comes with a route. So run it hard till the route goes away
Inevitable_Meet_7374@reddit
You don’t even have your CDL? Red flag off the bat man. Someone is targeting you as someone who has no idea how the industry works therefore can take advantage of you. Another red flag is how do you know this is what you want to do for a living? You might end up hating it and instead of being able to quit and do something else you will be tied up for $50,000. Obviously i dont have all the details but you should try and get them all before jumping into this.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I understand and appreciate your words of caution. I’ve got plenty of experience dealing with truckers and am fully aware of the shadiness in the industry, but this old guy really is different and one of the few good ones. I know it’s not a great deal as far as the truck and trailer go, but getting local route without having to exploited by a mega for a year+ is very tempting. And I don’t know enough about trucking to know what a route like his is worth. I’ve been lurking this forum for about a year and it seems like decent local jobs are something you have to get lucky or put in multiple years for. And Florida also gets shit on by a lot of people here for understandable reasons, so that’s why I’m here trying to get some feedback on what a route like his is worth
NitroBike@reddit
Ok that's all fantastic but you don't have a CDL, do you still need to factor in the cost of school and actually getting your CDL before you buy a truck.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Some might say I’m putting the cart before the horse, or trailer before the tractor in this case. I’m fully aware of how expensive the required CDL school/mills are these days. Highway robbery or indentured servitude seem to be the only choices, but I might get lucky with another route 🤞
NitroBike@reddit
Brother I'm gonna be brutally honest with you, but you are being incredibly stupid and shortsighted. You're buying an old truck and trailer from a guy you feel like you can trust, you don't even have a CDL yet, and you think this is the right time to jump into being an O/O. I'm sorry to tell you this, but working for a massive company (not the shitty ones like Schneider or Western Express) is not indentured servitude. I work for the post office and I have a full retirement plan, benefits, and an hourly schedule. Even if you told me I'd be clearing $10k a week with my own truck, I still wouldn't do it.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Fair enough, I appreciate the honesty. Not trying to jump into the o/o world, the opportunity just presented itself so I came here for your exact brand of honesty. Thanks for the response 👍
theboywthagreenscarf@reddit
I started my first year of cdl as an o/o. 60k for a 2020 international with 350k miles. Went home like 10 times total for 2 years. I quit because the repairs got too expensive. I was lucky in the sense that the truck was owned jointly with my dad and cousin so they could cover the final repair (camshaft had to be replaced). I’m now in training as a company driver. Feels great to be able to just collect a check instead of worrying about all the expenses. My company couldn’t find a trainer for this week and they’re still gonna pay me lol. I recommend starting out as a company driver, once you get a feel for the industry being an o/o won’t be as tough.
dstrezzd@reddit
If you've got all the experience and contacts why are you asking here
Top_Roll_6136@reddit
When you get your authority/ mc number you have to sit on because you'll be new and companies only work with o/o that have 3 months, 6 months or a of year experience. You might want to ask the companies that you will be hauling for if you'll need to wait. I believe it has to do with there insurance.
Dropnhook@reddit
This
Gilgamesh2000000@reddit
If you have your heart and your mind set on it then nothing anyone will type is going to get in your head.
Having understanding and willingness to attain knowledge is not the same as experience. Some of these guys in here own and have the experience. I’d listen to those guys.
Trucking is expensive. I don’t drive trucks but I work on them. Many pit falls and our economy is a little shaky atm.
Good luck and weigh out all your options before taking on huge financial responsibilities.
Inevitable_Meet_7374@reddit
Well your first sentence you say you have plenty of experience dealing with truckers and are fully aware of the shadiness of the industry. Then later on you say I dont know enough about trucking to know what a route like his is worth. Seems like you’re looking for excuses to buy the truck and the route and it’s blinding you from all the red flags. Just something to think about man. I know starting out seriously sucks but it can suck a lot worse if you end up owing a bunch of money
Ayyeee_justin@reddit
LMFAO yo we gotta let people like OP live and learn
DumatRising@reddit
4k on 1500 miles is only 2.66 cpm.... Way below rate for a reffer unit even a few months ago that would be considered bad this month its a loss.... I wouldn't run that route. Care more about being home than money is fine but especially being a new driver, it would be very easy for you to lose money on a route this low below rates.
Used trucks are always a gamble and I don't personally recommend new drivers start our as o/o, 50k isn't bad if the truck is in good condition..... But there's a lot of extra stuff that's going to eat away at your money and being an older truck it's more likely some of the parts are nearing the end of their life.
So as an experienced driver taking this truck and reefer and doing something better 50k isn't bad (assuming clean bill of health) I'd be cautious but open to the deal, but as a new driver... Idk man if you can't absorb losing 50k right now I wouldn't take it.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Very well said. Thanks for taking the time to leave a thorough response. I definitely didn’t plan to aim to be an O/o out the gate, but the opportunity presented itself and I figured I should at least attempt to educate myself some more on the subject. The route didn’t sound amazing by any means, but the flexibility of when he decides to take loads was intriguing to me. I doubt the truck and reefer are worth much more than about 30k in this market, but I know absolutely nothing about how much a route like his is worth. He has offered me other equipment in the past, and while they are never unreasonable, especially with how well he maintains his stuff, the prices have never been better than fair.
DumatRising@reddit
If it's been well taken care of it could genuinely be worth what he's asking for it. That's as the the trick with these things. An older truck that's not been taken care of? I wouldn't even pay 30k for it, one that's in pristine condition? 50k is a bit high but not a bad ask. Used truck value is all about condition.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I know from past experience with him he wants top dollar for his equipment. He does take good care of his stuff, but his deals are never great. Fair value is the best description
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
$4,000-$1,800=$2,200.00 before you even pay your road tax, fuel tax, heavy highway use tax, maintenance, base plates and permits and truck/trailer and cargo insurance. That’s without any truck or trailer payments. Nope. Not enough money once you pay for operating expenses. I gross anywhere from $6-$10k a week to the truck.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I know insurance is going to be steep as a new CDL holder, but I haven’t got a quote yet. I’ve never heard of road/fuel/heavy highway tax, but thanks for giving me something to google. I asked him about yearly maintenance costs and he said it’s not too bad as his loads are generally light and he drives gently. It would be a cash deal so no payments. I’ve heard setting up a new authority to operate can get costly, but I haven’t researched that yet. My original plan was to just embrace a year of suckage with a mega to learn the ropes before doing my own thing, but the timing of this seems like the universe might be trying to do me a favor
ParticularArrival111@reddit
Insurance will run you 2-4k a month.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I’ve known from the get go that insurance was probably going to be the biggest hurdle for me to deal with for the reason I want a tractor. Do you know if there are ways to freeze your insurance for say months at a time if you know your truck is going to parked or inoperable? I’ve heard I could register a tractor as “personal use” or non commercial for most of what I want one for, and the insurance would be much less. I havent dug deep enough to validate that yet though. If I could make decent money here an there that would be nice, but having to “be married to the truck” likes others have mentioned here is not something I’m aspiring towards
ParticularArrival111@reddit
No you can't i tried. When I was o/o I asked if could pause while I got some things together. You can cancel the insurance but then you'll have to pay the down payment again. I am an experienced driver with a lot of years of trucking and I was still paying $1500 a month for a pick up and a gooseneck (semis are way more expensive to insure) my down payment was 5,000.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That’s some really good information, thank you. Never heard of a down payment for insurance before, but now I have more good info to research. There is about half a dozen trucks on our property that haven’t moved in months and I was wondering how they handled the insurance issue. At about 5k to restart, I guess it means youd have to be down 3-4 months before it makes sense to freeze it which is maybe what they are doing. I’ve got a pretty good grip on the cost involved with maintaining heavy machinery, but not specifically road permitted machinery which brings a whole lot of extra liability. I hope your fortunes change in the near future and you can give the o/o thing another shot if that’s what you desire. Thanks again for the info and advice
bourbonpens@reddit
Holy hell. I’m a company driver and had no idea insurance was that expensive
CobraWasTaken@reddit
It's a lot less when you have multiple trucks. I was paying like $200 a month when I was leased on with a company with hundreds of trucks using their insurance. They get big discounts for having a big fleet of trucks. Not only that, some trucking companies are self insured. In other words, they own the insurance company. When accidents happen, the "insurance company" pays for it, but they own the insurance company so in a way they're paying out of pocket. Saves money if you don't have a lot of accidents because you're not paying some corporate insurance company a bunch of money every month and never seeing it again.
KatieTSO@reddit
I'm a bus driver and my transit agency is so self-insured that there isn't even a fake insurance company. We just have a self insured certificate issued with the state, and that fulfills the liability insurance requirements.
KaySav1337@reddit
We’re grossing 6 - 8k a week intrastate reefer just in the state of Florida and mostly everyone is home or at least swinging by the house every night. The OTR guys are in the 12s.
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
He definitely would need to find a different route to work than grossing $4k a week to make a good living.
meizhong@reddit
Grosses $4k? Nah.
I spent $50k on a 2020 and I net that a week. And I question if I did the right thing. There's people making way more than me out here.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Where about do you operate if you don’t mind me asking?
meizhong@reddit
Round trip ATL to port of Savannah every day, 5 days a week, sometimes 6. Empty down, heavy back.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Oof! I hate going through ATL in regular vehicles. You must have the patience of a saint to do that daily in a tractor trailer setup. Blessing on you my friend!
meizhong@reddit
Get in before 4 or after 6:30 (by leaving at by 5 am like I'm about to do right now, or leaving at 7 or 8 am), and then just mostly use the right lane that nobody else seems to want to use. I live here and do it every day so I know which exits are going to have some traffic and I move over before those few exits and otherwise stay passing everyone by going all of 60 mph in the right lane.
Lolivares93@reddit
Get an insurance quote and then see if it makes sense. Have them quote you as fresh CDL holder.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Have any recommendations for insurance companies to check out for new CDL holders?
asparagus_piss_jug@reddit
I have over 8 years and I was quoted over 4k a month via progressive lol
Exciting-Car-3516@reddit
Progressive? No call OOIDA
fordry@reddit
Probably not getting insurance from ooida as a new cdl holder...
Exciting-Car-3516@reddit
You can and it will be cheaper than anywhere else
_how_do_i_reddit_@reddit
Just find a broker and they can likely quote you multiple companies at the same time.
asparagus_piss_jug@reddit
If his numbers are clean, can the numbers be passed to driver? I guess numbers would be clean but he would be a fresh driver.....
fordry@reddit
$4000 a week when spending almost half that on fuel alone and assuredly several hundred a week on insurance plus maintenance costs.
I guess it could make you $60k ish a year before personal taxes. That's not anything special. And it's a lot of extra work just to do it.
crdog@reddit
Are you buying his MC and his LLC too? If so you need to see the contract he has with his customer.
Trucking on this level (and even all the way to the top) is about relationships. Who's to say that customer will keep doing business with you? They may want to just give that lane to another partner who's just as competitive.
Also not even having a CDL yet thinking you can just Yolo it is wild, like very unsafe.
Got a mechanic you can trust?
Got someone to cover the loads while yours is getting repaired?
Have you even figured depreciation into your calculations? Your insurance quote (I hope) will be a sticker shock to you.
I know you came here kinda hoping for mixed affirmations with small obstacles of advice, but you will be making a mistake if you do this. A big semi truck sized mistake
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I came here for brutal honesty, and I’ve found a good bit of it. He mentioned doing all his business with handshakes and verbal contracts. I know than can be risky, but it’s pretty much how I’ve operated for my entire adult life and I can’t ever remember being burnt by anyone I trusted, and I don’t tend to deal with people I don’t trust. That being said, I know very little about the economics of the trucking industry. I am more than happy to expose my ignorance here if it helps educate me on my blind spots ands helps me to make better informed decisions. Thank you for your advice, it is appreciated
CobraWasTaken@reddit
$4k a week is not nearly enough. Besides the insurance costs and other expenses people have mentioned, you will be taxed way more as a 1099 contractor than you will be as a W2 employee.
juju6145@reddit
$1800 in fuel for a local route? $1800 in fuel is a lot of fuel even if you’re doing over the road. $1800 in fuel is like 3000+ miles for the average truck. May be better to just get the truck and trailer and not do the local route and you should be able to make more.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I may have some of the number mixed up, but he said it gets about 6mpg. I know he is gentle on his stuff so that’s best case scenario.
juju6145@reddit
$50k for a truck and trailer is a good deal if they’re both in good running condition. You need to get a quote on insurance if you’re running under your own authority because that may end up be the price of one of your checks per month. You definitely want to spend less than $1800 in fuel and you can possibly make it work. Otherwise, you may have to pass on the local job and get other loads that gross more per week or keep the local job and just add one more load a week from the load board.
WMDZipperbag@reddit
It’s Florida. So yeah, there’s some idle time. IF you drive with a heavy foot? Pretty sure you could get a 470 to be close to 4MPG. (Not quite talking the hillsides of PA tho). I’d figure w/ some brains and effort that he should be closer to at least six MPG
Certainly something to look into more when he makes a run with the owner
Think maybe the most important costs (fuel aside) is figuring out actual insurance costs. OP may get really lucky. It’s certainly something that some folks can consider jaw dropping. Someone also asked about deferring the costs. Not saying it’s impossible. Just not privy to such a thing. Believe insurance is like a truck note. You may take the day off. Bill is still bill tho
Lastly OP needs to find out exactly what the load(s) entail. Time/day pickup. Time/day must deliver Does trailer need washed out. I’m thinking there’s a chance we’re only looking at three days. Shouldn’t be too difficult to try to line up something that can be accomplished in two days that wouldn’t interfere with the bread n’ butter load. I’d figure ideally one of the two could be doubled up from time to time. Something that could take the sting out some from costs for an oil change or a new set of Goodyears…
Some good posts here. Mentioning things like sticking aside x amount for maintenance, truck notes, and other goodies
Hopefully OP you can figure out all the needed numbers. I mean right now should be the gravy time. (Time when some may get picky or slack whatever.). You read these posts, and I think you’ll see it’s not really the time to slack much. I mean yeah you could take a day here or there. Need to spend some of such time learning about factoring etc.
I dont really have some magic number for a goal (seems we have too many variables just yet). I would try to look at you needing to make $550 every day you run the truck… (Might be closer to six or more) I dunno. Days at home w/ zero don’t help the average…
Ornery_Ads@reddit
Well that's a ripoff.
The truck is well under $10k, maybe $5k?
Trailer is the same, $5k-$10k.
The route is worthless. Who tf would gross $4k weekly with $1,800 in fuel alone!? I grossed $4,500 just this weekend with ~$250 in fuel.
edsavage404@reddit
You gotta learn how to walk before you can run
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Understood. Walking sounds better than running anyways 👍
HealthyMasterpiece13@reddit
Being an owner/op you will be married to that truck. Even if it's mechanically sound you're still married to it. There's always something to look out for/fix.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that sure doesn’t sound like something I want to do. Thanks for your input
MostOriginalNameEver@reddit
Save the 50k and break things on someone else dime for now.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That seems the like the wisest choice 👍
MantisShrimpUpTop@reddit
$1800 at $6 per gallon (right now, anyway) = 300 gallons for 1500 miles. That comes to 5mpg. Terrible mileage.
If you had a truck that averaged 8mpg (typical average), you’d save $678 per week.
Fuel prices very high atm I can see why he’s retiring now. Average diesel price last year was $3.50.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
He said it gets around 6mpg, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a bit lower.I know newer trucks generally get better like the 8mpg you mentioned, but dealing with the extra electronic and DEF comes with a cost as well right? I would generally prefer something older and easier to work on myself for the relatively few miles I want to do. Eventually fuel prices will either come down or the cost of loads will go up right? Not trying to get rich or dreaming of easy money, just looking for smaller niches I could carve for myself with the resources at my disposal. Thanks for taking the time to respond
trucksarekewl@reddit
Op dont do this holy shit lol
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That bad huh?
xRam0s@reddit
That beater setup is not worth more than $30k
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
30k is exactly what I figured the tractor and reefer are worth, but I have no idea what his route is worth (not much by the looks of some of these comments), so I came to Reddit to get myself educated on the matter
Jumpy-Letter-7607@reddit
As a former driver and CDL trainer, a lot of people “think” this is what they want to do, then realize they don’t. Don’t dump cash until you do the job for a period of time. Suffer out a year with a mega, stay safe, and move on to better jobs. Owning a truck and running the business ain’t what it used to be.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I appreciate your experience and insight. I have absolutely no desire to do the typical OTR thing. I know the financial incentives for the majority of truckers has only declined for the last several decades. I primarily want a tractor for moving my own stuff around, but if I could make some money with it here and there, that would be a bonus. I like the idea of seasonal work or contracts that only last several months. Any advice for niches I may want to look into?
Apart-Ad1652@reddit
Not with that pos truck.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
What makes it a POS?
rdmcrd@reddit
It’s the route you paid for mostly. As long as you realize it, it’s a good deal.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
That’s what my feeling was, but I’m going to do a ride along with him in the near future to see what it’s like
Justin_92@reddit
The only way I’d even consider this is if the previous owner let me run under his authority and insurance until the “debt” was paid in full. And even then, I don’t think I’d do it unless I knew them and their maintenance habits really well and trusted them to take care of me or at the very least help me out in the event of a breakdown.
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
I thought about asking him something exactly like this. There is several dozens truckers who park on our property and he stay up on his maintenance better than most
Commercial-Prompt-84@reddit
Take this with a grain of salt but if it was such a good deal why isn’t the seller keeping his truck and the route?
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
He’s 75, I’m fairly sure he’s having some health issues as he’s lost a good amount of weight in the last 6 months, and he claims to have enough money in the bank.
LesterTheInvestor1@reddit
Insurance is really the only thing standing in your way. Fresh CDL would typically make you uninsurable or you’ll get quoted for sky high rates.
OkSense1496@reddit
My first year OTR I made $37,000
Odd-Adhesiveness9435@reddit
Is this net?? Was your starting year 1995?
Victorious1MOB@reddit
Sheeeeeesh
AldrichRW@reddit (OP)
How many hours a week did you trade for that?
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
Here are some numbers for regional operations
1850 miles a week. 6 mpg. 15-1600 fuel
Ins 400 a week.
Tags. 40 a week
Wages. 1400 a week + employer portion add 150
Truck note (don’t have one but you have to build one in otherwise you don’t even need to consider this) 400 a week
Reefer trailer note. (300 a week again same as above)
So you can see with the above numbers. That is a no go.
Business_Surround_52@reddit
This is something I’d buy if everything checks out. This is something I’d probably run for a couple years before selling off the tractor and buying something newer like a 2025/26 kenworth t680. It’s still a depreciating asset but if I had to guess 20k for truck 20k for trlr = buy price of 50k safe bet.
Business_Surround_52@reddit
Before y’all start yapping about his weekly salary, I only have one word. cash.
I wouldn’t recommend financing no more than maybe 15k for a business loan so he could float the company for a month. Or make repairs but he definitely needs majority cash on hand to buy this truck if he has cash I’m sure they can negotiate. Or he will need to partner with his family.
WMDZipperbag@reddit
Yeah? I was already thinking that he might consider finding. /099 driver (25% of gross/3-4 days) Have a small fleet in no time…
WMDZipperbag@reddit
How much is insurance going to run?
How many days/hrs for a complete run? You might need to add a route if/when you have a new truck payment
NoGood5117@reddit
Seems decent to me