Jim,

Just a little food for thought, Being an owner operator is great however there are a lot of unforseen startup costs which can make it hell to get started, My first year getting started cost me almost 10k in paperwork before I got to turn a wheel. Your operating authority can be done yourself but its a severe headache, I went through an online co. 1hour authority, It cost me about $900 to get all my paperwork filed and through to the FMCSA, Second is insurance now you can pay monthly but the premiums for the year are a good 50% more annually than making a single annual payment Dont Forget your General Liability and Cargo Coverage, Insurance is a good half of that 10K, Your 2290 IRS Heavy Vehicle road tax form DO NOT try to mail it in the old way (4 month mistake) Express truck tax.com does it reasonable and you have a stamped copy (required for registration) within 24 hours. ($550) Workmans Comp Policy is also required to hire out which is ridiculous In my opinion, Company Policies that EXCLUDE you are around $800 a year, If you add someone to that add a 0 to the price. Drug Testing services (required) are another $150 per year and $75 per random test. Add another $5-600 for your truck registration and $1000 for your Fuel reporting.

Its a headache to get started but once you have everything together it makes life easier than running under someone elses authority, insurance, and paying trailer leasing which would cut what you get paid down into the Flatbed Freight Rate range... I hope some of this helps if you need anything else give me a holler 575 202 0180

Josh

You are right Joshua, Getting the Truck bought is the cheap part most of these guys that want to buy a truck think its all just turning the key and making big money.

I really appreciate the information. I was anticipating about 5k to get started with my own authôrity but I probably underestimated that. I have money saved up to do it but I am still considering all the options. I know Ill never get rich doing it but I know Ill never get rich working for someone else either. Just the pride and satisfaction of doing my own thing is what has been on my mind. Thanks again for your input. Maybe it would be good to start out as an owner/op but run under someone elses authority first or maybe Ill just find the right place a stay driving for someone else.

Jim,

You've got the right idea savin up for startup costs, Mine total was closer to 10k and I am not out to put down anyones ambitions since we have all started out somewhere and I had a crash course in getting started and wish I had someone to help explain a few things to get me goin. As such I'd love to help others to make the struggle I had a little easier, and second the more owner operators on the road the better in my opinion which as you stated "Pride in Ownership" is a very true statement. We are all sick of seeing twacked out meth heads that could give a sh*t less about the equipment, cargo/livestock, and general safety of others.. Which unfortunately there are more than a few companies out there that hire these "drivers" and somehow manage to get away with it.. Being an owner operator is great but does have its drawbacks as I am sure you know and moving livestock does pay well but for a good reason as it has more than its fair share of challenges (risk/reward) which does tend to weed out a lot (not all) of the idiots that run flat/dry van freight.. That being said I personally enjoy the hell out of the fall run and the few loads I make during the year in the spring/summer but you better be ready to have something else going to fill in at times.. Again any other questions feel free to contact me at any time

Josh

There are meth heads that are o/o. I know more that are o/o than company drivers. Anyway there are ways fr the start up cost to be way cheaper. I did it for just around 6k. Granted I don't own my own trailer though.

Very true unfortunately, I am bitter about the company side since in the past few years a company out of el paso popped up with 40+ trucks and every one of them is a twacked out retard, most dont speak english and nearly every time I have been around one at a slaughterhouse the seem to deliver more dead cows than alive... And to ad insult to injury they've somehow managed to scoop up a good majority of the loads coming across the border and others in my area for rates that I cant understand how they can operate for... My trailer is an additional cost I paid $8500 for it and put another 2k in a complete brake overhaul, seals, lines etc under the back of it but it has paid for itself many times over in a short period..

That sucks to hear. I have noticed a lot of the hispanic drivers seem to be doing it for free. Most of the ones I see drive for National Beef seem like what you are describing. It does suck for those of us that take pride in what we do to have in overrun by retards that dont give a crap about anything.

Josh you pretty we'll post on everyone trying to get started and some of what you say is true but some you take a little far. I'm 29 bought my first truck in October 2013 bought another in April. If you're not afraid of work it's not that hard. If you don't have the money to fork out up front lease to someone pulling their trailer for a year. I got my authority right away but you don't have to. Yes trailer rent and dispatch sucks but you have to start somewhere. You want any help or have any questions just look me up on here and give me a call or shoot me a text.

Matt,

Just stating what I went through getting started, I too started "for hire" in 2013 and I am 28 and run 1 cattle truck myself and 2 others day cab and bobtail dump trucks (belly and end dump) on the side, (No drivers) And I agree 100% If you dont have the funds to buy a trailer and pay for all startup costs there are many options, just not as profitable, and stated in my previous posts I am not trying to discourage or crush anyones ambitions I am only sharing my experience and what I have seen as far as trailer leases go (not my personal experiences) but experiences of close friends that have gone that route. When I went through my struggles obtaining my authority etc I wish I would have had help and thats why I am here to share and offer any help or advice I can. We all have started somewhere and perhaps my experiences were more difficult than most as I have 0 experience as a company driver, All my trucking experience prior to becoming an O/O for hire was for our Sawmill, Logging/Lumber/Equipment and Livestock for the ranch that we had an agreement with the ranch owner for timber.

Getting started it is good to hear the good and the bad to have the best idea of what you will be up against. And again if anyone needs any help with anything give me a call,

Josh

Hi Jim,

Just had a call to have me read your post and the replies to it. For the most part the answers are good. One of the guys replying to really made me chuckle. I work for a trucking company now and I also apply for authority, do fuel reports and other reports necessary to keep you in compliance. If you want to know anything about authority, what it costs, what you need etc, give me a call. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Terri

785-244-6232