In closing I would just like to say that you are obviously going to be the one to make the choice and the one who will have to live with it. 

 

Buying a truck is definitely not something to do on the spur of the moment.  Many experienced drivers would be in over their head buying a truck so be assured that you will really be overwhelmed.  Obviously, I am trying to dissuade you from even considering doing such a thing --- but what else would you expect?  :)

 

In one last attempt, here are just a few reasons why you should wait until you've spent at least one year and preferably two years over the road:

  • Getting a truck loan will be difficult without job experience in the field.  Getting anything other than a bank loan is asking for stress and financial trouble later.  (Do not even think about getting in on one of those "Lease Purchase" programs.)

  • Make sure that you actually like it.  Just because dad or brother drives/drove a truck doesn't mean that you really know what the life is all about, nor that you will enjoy living that life. 

  • Learn the regions that you like to run.  Don't take other drivers word for where the "good" freight is or where the "bad" freight is -- figure it out driving someone else's truck.

  • You need to be at least familiar with more than one brand of truck.  The more you know about it's tendencies and peculiarities, the more informed decision you will make when the day comes that you do buy one.

  • Learn what different types of freight are like.

  • Make sure that your family will be able to deal with this new career.... Because it is NOT a career, it is a LIFESTYLE.  Is the ownership of a truck worth the loss of a family?  Not hardly. 

  • In the first six months or so, and perhaps on up to a year, a "newbie" is more likely to have a fender bender of some type.

      It may not be "nice" to say so, but wouldn't you rather have a fender bender with someone else's $100,000 piece of equipment?

Did You Know That...a

  • Just because you own the truck, you cannot necessarily and automatically have a legal rider onboard?  If the company does not have a policy, whether it is your truck or not, it's no dice for the rider unless you want to purchase your own policy.  (Get out the pocketbook)

  • You will have to pay your own: Health, Dental, Life and Vision insurance?  You will also have to pay at least some of the following (depending on the carrier - some offer to pay some of these)  Cargo, Liability, Physical/Comprehensive, Bobtail.

  • Tire expenses alone will cost you in the neighborhood of $3,200.00 each year?

  • Pallets can cost you up to $7.50 or so each - and most loads require at least 25 of them.  Do you think the carrier absorbs this cost???

  • Your base plate can cost you something over $1,000.00 per year, depending on the state where the truck is registered and whether the carrier pays any/all of this cost.

  • You can claim a "home office" for purposes of taxes, but NOT if you live in the truck?  You must have a residence in order to claim this.  There goes any dreams of living in the truck and saving money on rent.  Otherwise, you are probably giving up a huge tax deduction.

Owner Operator Resources

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