Scott, your the Guru on trucking, please answer as much as possible.

Scott, your the Guru on trucking, please answer as much as possible.
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:04:41 PM

I hope im not bothering you at all by asking all these questions, you are a big help. Ive been working in the same industry since i was 14, and times change, i have college as well, and im turning to truck driving. My job in the supermarket industry is cut throat, and political. I make $26 an hour over nites as a crew cheif, looking to leave, because i DISPISE NITES.  Ive tried to take civil service tests, railroad, police, town jobs, state DOT, sanitation, Verizon, Con ED, all the utility companies! All the good paying jobs with security, and training skill programs, advancement etc. All have tractor trailers in their companies as well. But i can get in any of those companies, looks like i will have to get into trucking! I always loved trucks! There is nothing wrong with that is their?

I need to know pros and cons about owning my own tractor. Imvery found of trailer dumps/low boys/ hauling drop decks, flat beds etc. I got my CDL class A with an automatic! But not many companies have autos in their fleets! I stop and ask drivers i see by me when they are pulled over, and a few have automatics hauling dumps! Nice kenworths w900 series, new Petes 379s, and a few  Macks CHU612-613. All top of the line stuff, navigation systems, ABS with the cab and tractor. We live in a new age all those guys say. Air suspension as well, fully loaded rigs, great gas mileage too, SAFE< LONGER LASTING.

Scott im really thinking about doing it, but should i get a used rig from 2005 or 2006 with great specs and a good warranty? I see some used 2006 w900 with on 50K miles, going for 90K. Thats pretty good i think. Fully loaded. How many miles can these rigs take?? I heard they last a long time. The more you put on the better they become.

I need your advice on all this i wrote too you. Sorry for asking , and everybody must laugh and think its a joke,BUT IT AINT NO JOKE! I read and see and hear about peoples lives in their mid 40s getting laid off from companies making 6 figures a year with college, and cant land a job, so they became truck drivers. I read that 5 times in the paper about different people. I have no skills, no plumbing, heating, electric, cement, computers, etc, but my interest are on trucking i will tell you that much!

RE:Scott, your the Guru on trucking, please answer as much as possible.
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:44:46 AM

awildone:
I can tell you that you probabbly won't make/clear $26 an hour trucking. I highly suggest if you want to enter trucking you drive for a company first. Then if you decide to become an owner operator you will have more knowledge and experience to make a better decision.

RE:Scott, your the Guru on trucking, please answer as much as possible.
Posted: Thu Nov 1, 2007 8:04:39 AM

Since Scott didn't offer much, I'll try.

$26.00 an hour where you are and you despise nites, well have you tried to rotate back to Days?
Are there no openings or have you been told that if you want days to go somewhere else?
If so, that's a typical answer anymore at many companies.

You do not want to buy a truck before having been out and about for at least a year, unless you're financially independent and I believe you're not, for if you were then you wouldn't be looking to change your present occupation.
There have been and will continue to be, the many that had the same idea as you of buying a Truck to "make big money" which is a fallacy. If you see very much money of say more than $200.00 a week (if this much) AFTER EXPENSES--FUEL, Insurance, Food, etc.,, well you might be doing good...for a while.
There are MANY Trucks that have been bought only to be turned back in because of the inability of the purchaser to maintain payments.
With Fuel now being a minimum of say $3.14 per gallon(NC) and of course higher out west of say $3.40+ in California, one needs to be making quite a bit just to keep ones head out of the water.

I have a Cousin that partnered with his friend and they purchased a Straight Truck and rolled for about a year until they sold their Truck and are out of this business.
With the ever increasing prices for everything Trucking and other venues, there really has to be a major financial investment made by anyone wanting to be involved in Trucking.

How's your Credit Rating??
You'll (possibly) stretch it out what with Insurance, IFTA, Tags (Plates), FUEL, repairs, and the other services required in Trucking.
Repairs alone have wiped many dreamers out.
Example: the 2001 Freightliner Century Class that I drive has over 730,000 miles and the Steering Column was just replaced for a mere $1400.00 including labor.

The average Steer Tire purchase can be at least $700.00
A COMPLETE SET of Drive Tires can be $3000.00 or more.
A Clutch R&R can be $700.00 with labor.
Trailer Tires like Drive Tires can be offset in price when one uses RECAPS yet Recaps aren't very reliable especially in Hot Climates and/or with heavy loads.
The prices for repairs on Class 6, 7, and eight vehicles are steadily rising yet the quality of these repairs is steadily decreasing.

The other major item you'll want to look at is FUEL MILEAGE.
Many Kenworth, Peterbilt, Mack and Western Star among other makes average about 5 to 6 mpg and less whereas some Freightliner Models average better and worse.
The long nosed trucks are the FUEL eaters (like SUV's) and offer good rides because of their design yet also require MORE room to turn.
"Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this Rig around".--stolen from a Country/Trucking song--

Are you interested in pulling: Reefer, Dry van, Tanker, Flatbed, Stepdeck, Dropdeck??
Where do you want to run: OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Local??
The North East offers these two incentives: nowhere to park and idling restrictions, yet these problems are being evidenced everywhere.

If you're really wanting to buy a Truck BEFORE rolling then you need to have your License in hand BEFORE purchasing a Truck, otherwise what's the point!?
Some Companies that Owner Operators lease with offer incentives.

As stated by Scott, you should really check into and sign on with a Company that offers training because for a greenhorn/Newbie such as yourself, there is really no logical alternative unless you personally know someone that will allow you to practice driving their Condo/Combo, and will let you use it to take to your local DMV for the written as well as the road test, after which you'll discover additional problems one of which is NO EXPERIENCE.


I hope the BEst of WELlness 2-u-n-urs-n ALL adventures!!