Questions About Truck Maintenance As A Lease Purchase Operator

I'm considering becoming a lease purchase operator in the near future for Wilson Logistics and have some questions to ask:

If you are a lease purchase operator for Wilson Logistics for example, and your truck breaks down while hauling a load, i.e. you blow a tire, get in an accident, maybe you blow a piston, or maybe have to do something a simple as an oil change, how is the "cost of matenance" dealt with?

Also, what happens, step by step, if your truck breaks down and it's not an easy fix that can be done on the side of the road, and you gotta get your truck towed to a shop for something? What happens to the trailer? Where do you sleep since your truck is in the shop?

I only have a class-a permit as of this week and am just beginning to learn about the trucking trade. I haven't even stepped inside a semi-truck before haha, which is why I'm asking.

I only have a class-a permit as of this week and am just beginning to learn about the trucking trade. I haven't even stepped inside a semi-truck before haha, which is why I'm asking.

Best piece of advise I can give you is to forget about leasing, do not worry about or even think about until you've had your license at least a year. It is not as easy as people think.

Worry about getting your license, surviving your first year then you can look into leasing ( which is still a bad idea for the most part)

As a L/O for Prime, knowing what I do, I'm going to tell you DO NOT DO IT.

You are in a position of not even being aware of the amount of stuff in trucking that you just don't know. You don't even know if you will LIKE being in a truck.

Spend the time to learn how to drive correctly.

You own the truck. All those expenses you listed are out of your pocket.

'Nuff said. NaeNae preaches the gospel.

On top of those things you asked about, there is the bookkeeping side. You will be a 1099 driver, NOT a W-2. So your Worker's Comp is paid by you. Your Social Security is not 7.65% like regular workers, but double as you are now Boss and worker. You will need an accountant who knows the trucking rules and they aren't cheap. I do see in a post up above that you now know what we think about LO's. That's good.

Laura

When it comes to the lease, it depends on your individual contract. And companies can change that from year to year. So asking a driver from last year may not help you.

Wilson haul mostly Prime freight, but none of the Hazmat , Fedex or High value..which means they get the lower paying freight.

People assume brand new trucks do not have issues or mechnical problems. Wrong! And just because something is under warranty does not mean you do not pay. Sometimes only the part is covered and the driver pays for the labor. Sometimes there are "loaner trucks based on availability"... but then you still pay for your truck and you pay all maintenance for the loaner

If u blow a truck tire.. yep.. u pay for all of it. Have an accident? Could be a serious tow bill.

Here is an example.. my friend had her truck 2.5 yrs. Was just about to turn it in and receive $12,000 of her money that she invested. 6 weeks beforehand, the truck died. She was towed twice for a total of $6,000. She paid $10,000 out of pocket.. they sent her a bill for $26,000

And that didnt include the 3 weeks of hotel bills.

And they kept her $12,000 investment.