Profile For Reuben M.

You're selling yourself short with those numbers. As a company driver for Crete, I see no reason I won't see a minimum of $70K NET for 2021. First half of the year I was OTR, and been on a WM dedicated account from Cheyenne for the past 10 days.

Pack Rat

Thanks for the advice. After I get a year of experience I will re-evaluate companies.

Reuben, if you set your mind to it and follow the advice on here, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to make that 70- mid 80 range as a company driver. Going lease after only a year experience won’t put you at a higher wage than a solid company driver. There are so many companies out here now paying $.60, $.65 and $.70 cpm to solo drivers it isn’t even funny. A little quick math will show you how easy it is to make a solid living in a short amount of time. Plus, you mention learning rates etc. As a company driver, you’re not going to learn what the company actually makes on a load, at least not right away and until you get to know the right people.

Thanks for the input Rob. If I can make $75-80K on 120,000 Miles, remaining a Company Driver would be an easy decision.

I have seen Walmart hiring at $85K, however, that was with 3 years of experience. I have seen Tanker jobs, but they wanted 2 years of experience. Although, I respect the trade, I have no desire for Flatbed where they make anywhere from 5 to 15 cents more per mile.

My focus is Van OTR with an average of 2,500 miles per week. I'm sure that if I keep my record clean I can get up to mid $70's in about 3 years within that criteria. I can see myself in Tankers. I'm sure I can get to $80's with that kind of haul with the same miles.

Thanks again for the wisdom in your post.

Greg M.

If I made $68K - $89K, as you did, I probably would not consider the L/O.

End plan is to explore the Trucking Industry, and learn how to earn at a high level. I have a very open mind, and am appreciative of all the sound advice. I realize that this is not a job for everyone.

I really won't know what it all about until I get my hind parts in that seat and start turning wheels. I am, however, optimistic as I move forward.

Lastly, I will strongly consider your post. Seems to be very sound advice, and Thank You!

Young man, it is admirable that you want to make more money...however, one year over the road will get you a little bit of experience on just the everyday nuances of this job. To become an owner operator, you really should have four to five years as a company driver so that you can see the ups and downs of this business.

In 2018, I hired on with a guy who leased his truck and two others from the company I'm with now. After 11 months with him, I had to fire him because he bounced a payroll check of mine and at the end of it a couple weeks later those trips I had already made were never paid for. What happened? The truck I was driving ended up being in the shop for 12 days and his other truck that he was paying on, had to go in the shop also. Those two vehicles put him under. He thought he was a smart financial person, but he learned that he was not. The company he leased to has the means to go after him, but even they have not been paid all he owes them.

It is just better to get 4 to 5 years experience, save up your money and I'm talking like $50,000, and in the meantime learn all you can about the mechanical aspects of the truck, buy a good used one, get your own authority and be an owner operator.

Laura

Thanks for the insight, but I think that you missed the part about me leasing from Roehl as a lease operator within their company infrastructure. The most of the problems that you noted would not apply.

However, I do appreciate your post and I have also thought about O/O from purchasing a used truck. The problem that I see with that option is simply the downtime due to mechanical failure. The truck that I would lease would be a 2021/22 Freightliner Cascadia or International LT. The lease would be of the "Walk Away" variety and the costs of repairs would be minimized due to company discounts.

Also, I am about to turn 57 and do not have 5 years to wait to make a decision on O/O vs Company Driver. I really don't think it would take that long to figure it out. Not that i'm so smart, it's just that there is a tremendous wealth of information, due to seasoned Truckers like yourself sharing your experiences, knowledge and wisdom about the industry for us Newbie's.

No matter what, I will not consider making a decision for a year. I will on the other hand research, study, and plan for the best possible outcome. I am not committed to L/O, O/O or Company Driver. I am only committed to being the best Trucker that I can be, while giving myself options for greater success in the industry and life.

Thanks again, your post is definitely helpful.

I do not have any experience. I just obtained my CDP and am looking to sign on with Roehl. I picked Roehl, because they seem to have an emphasis on safety and care for their drivers. I understand that it will not be all rainbows and butterflies :-).

I have read/audible.com some books on starting a trucking business as an O/O. I thought that after a year of studying the industry as a Trucker, I would have a truer insight on what the actual costs/profits would be for a company driver vs lease operator. The idea was to spend a year OTR, and then make a decision on the best move forward.

When I went through the advertisement for lease operator on the Roehl website, it mentioned an industry leading surcharge for the fuel. This was important for me, because when I calculated the costs for 120,000 Miles @ 1.04 CPM, without relief for the fuel costs, I would make less than $44K as a lease operator, and that was with a lease payment of only $570 per week. My calculations did not include repair costs or down time.

Why are you considering the Fleece option?

I am exploring all of the options to earn more as a Trucker. Is it a bad idea?

I am considering signing up with Roehl, and am interested in their Lease Operator program. I fully understand that I need to learn the business before becoming an O/O, however, I just want to get some facts on the expenses.