Flatbed Variety

I can show you the truck though. The one I wanted was made of aluminum but he thought it was platinum. So I went with plan B. More room than the freightliner and may end up being the better truck. 400k on a rebuilt motor, 200k on a rebuilt transmission and brand new bearings and rebuilt pumpkins in the rears for less than half of what he wanted for the liner. Anyhow, picking her up on Tuesday.

I can show you the truck though. The one I wanted was made of aluminum but he thought it was platinum. So I went with plan B. More room than the freightliner and may end up being the better truck. 400k on a rebuilt motor, 200k on a rebuilt transmission and brand new bearings and rebuilt pumpkins in the rears for less than half of what he wanted for the liner. Anyhow, picking her up on Tuesday.

Heck yeah, and it's already got a beacon on it!

Are the dents and dings fixed? Looks like a sweet ride.

I can show you the truck though. The one I wanted was made of aluminum but he thought it was platinum. So I went with plan B. More room than the freightliner and may end up being the better truck. 400k on a rebuilt motor, 200k on a rebuilt transmission and brand new bearings and rebuilt pumpkins in the rears for less than half of what he wanted for the liner. Anyhow, picking her up on Tuesday.

Heck yeah, and it's already got a beacon on it!

Yes it does, but I need a second one. Regulations for Wyoming state 2 each 4" beacons to run at night up to 10 feet wide. Not bad for a 93 except for the clear coat.

Are the dents and dings fixed? Looks like a sweet ride.

What dents and dings?

Are the dents and dings fixed? Looks like a sweet ride.

That passenger fender isn't dented but the clear coat is nonexistent and makes it look caved in from the top down because of how the picture was taken.... Just take another look took me a second too.

Pat, I was just doing some research into trucking company earnings this year and it didn't look too good. I hope you can outsmart the big boys. Almost everyone's revenues were down, and some of them were showing around a 97% operating ratio. That's pretty bleak, but fairly consistent averages nationally. I know it is different when you are an independent operator, but these guys have a lot more trucks out there to average out their costs. I wish you well, and hope we hear of your success. I've always said the test of time is what proves an owner/operator's practices. Usually around that five, six, or seven year mark is where it starts to cave in. Keep that in mind as you lay out your strategy.

No load until Monday but here's my new ride and company. I'll finally be able to add some fun and cool photos to the thread.

Robert, I've been meaning to congratulate you and have just been so busy I haven't gotten around to it. That is a sweet looking truck you've got there, I'm glad to see you in the flat-bedder's club!

I was in Amarillo just the other day and saw some ATS drivers pulling those wind-mill generator blades. Man, if you ever get to that point in your career you have got to share some photos with us. That is one crazy looking gig. I'm real happy for you, and hope to see you out here again some time, only next time our paths cross stop me and introduce yourself!

Pat, I was just doing some research into trucking company earnings this year and it didn't look too good. I hope you can outsmart the big boys. Almost everyone's revenues were down, and some of them were showing around a 97% operating ratio. That's pretty bleak, but fairly consistent averages nationally. I know it is different when you are an independent operator, but these guys have a lot more trucks out there to average out their costs. I wish you well, and hope we hear of your success. I've always said the test of time is what proves an owner/operator's practices. Usually around that five, six, or seven year mark is where it starts to cave in. Keep that in mind as you lay out your strategy.

I have run the numbers forwards and backwards and every way that i could think of. If all goes well I anticipate a 23.5% before tax profit. This is after all expenses. If I have to spend 20k in repairs that would bring it down to around 11%. Because of frugal living, I can live very inexpensively. All my kids are grown so it is just me that I have to support. If I take into account the depreciation, I expect to pay taxes on 80k. Yes you can make that as a company driver, I have just yad enough punching time clocks per say.

I can't do the regular OTR type of carrier. Too set in my ways i guess. The expectations from the previous carrier did not sit well with me. It is kinda hard to explain.

Anyhow, I don't think that I am any smarter than the big companies. I know that I can't compete with them. I do have a small niche that I can work with. The experience with the former carrier was very educational. I don't go into this with delusions of becoming the next warren buffet. Yes there is more work on my end and I do love a challenge. One of the reasons that I got out of the phone business after 20 years was that it got boring.

If I had a family to support or a lot of debt, there is no way I would be doing this right now. I also don't recommend that others follow my lead either. As you may remember my path into driving a truck did not follow the standard practices of today even though it was 5 years ago. I did not have the training that everyone else has gone through. I never went to a truck driving school and I never never got any securement training among other things.

I have no desire to become the next fleet owner. I am content to just live my quiet lifestyle and put food on my table. Along others here I have spent many hours thinking about this. At this point in my life money does not mean as much to me. With the truck paid for and me able to do most of the work on it myself I can quietly float along and do alright.

Thanks for the well wishes and cautions. Just wanted yuo to know that I am not going into this with blinders on and stars (or dollar signs) in my eyes.

Are the dents and dings fixed? Looks like a sweet ride.

That passenger fender isn't dented but the clear coat is nonexistent and makes it look caved in from the top down because of how the picture was taken.... Just take another look took me a second too.

Next winter we will probably take care of the paint issues.