Questions About Prime Leasing

Good day drivers, I just started as a c seat driver at prime and am out doing my 40k training now. My trainer has talked a lot about leasing a truck to make better money and have more input as to plan load routes and what not that seem to suit me better than not having any decision making like the company drivers have. I'm trying to make 1,200 a week as a goal. Anyone have any feedback on this?

Terry, you've joined the wrong profession if you're trying to make 1200 a week. You won't get that, accept it now before you realize it the hard way.

Leasing isn't more money, and your trainer is feeding you garbage. There's so much risk with leasing a truck. Do you know how much a super single drive tire costs? Well over a grand! You're depending on luck to stay afloat as a lease operator.

If you want to do it we can't stop you. But it's a bad idea, especially for a rookie. Learn the industry, learn how to do your job before you even consider leasing a truck.

As far as having more freedom choosing your route, I'm a company driver and I choose my own route. It's alright as long as you're not adding too many miles on the load.

I'm a retired Instructor at Prime, and I assure you that leasing a truck straight out of training is financial suicide.

Thanks for the reply Daniel. I'm actually not a rookie driver. I have experience but it wasn't recent enough in primes eyes this having to start out as c seat. While I appreciate your input I can assure you making the money I want is possible. I've done it. I know how to manage myself and hours to make it work. I'm watching my trainer pull in well over my target goal. But I don't want to rely on his business model alone. That's the feedback I'm looking for. Is someone pulling in close to my target.

Just out of curiosity, as a company driver, what is your average weekly take home. I'm going company driver first before I consider leasing, just so I can build a rapport with my fleet manager. Like I mentioned, I know the industry and how it works, I've already been successful at it.

Well glad you know what you're doing. I pull in on average about 950 per week.

TNT trainers get paid very well though, so your trainer definitely makes more than that. If you're willing to do his job then I don't see any reason why you can't get 1200 or above.

That's a good rate you're pulling in. That's why I picked prime, they seem to take good care of their drivers from what I've researched. Stay busy man. See you on the road

I think it's being missed. Your TRAINER is pulling in over your target goal. Your TRAINER says it can be done as a lease driver. See the words in caps? I hope you like training cause you will need to be a trainer to make that kind of money.

Sure it's possible to bring I $1200 a week as a solo company or lease driver but that's gross pay. Not net. I average over $1200 a week as a company driver for Werner but that gross pay. Time SS, state and federal comes out and my insurance I am looking at around $850 net Pay.

Oh BTW I also had two trucks of my own and never seen $1200 net Pay a week. But hey if that is what you want to do then go for it. Just know you will turn towards being a trainer before it's over and done with.

Terry, I can understand where these other drivers are coming from. Coming from a successful lease operator at Prime I can honestly say I averaged $1500/week NET average when I was solo. Now that I train I make double that but also acquire more risk. Your goal is very possible. If you don't mind staying out for long periods of time, watch your fuel mileage and buy fuel at the correct locations it's practically impossible not to be successful. Another important part of leasing is to set up an emergency fund so you always have back up funds available just in case of desperate needs. If you have any other questions or need additional information just let me know. Stay safe out there.

I think it's bthg missed. Your TRAINER is pulling in over your target goal. Your TRAINER says it can be done as a lease driver. See the words in caps? I hope you like training cause you will need to be a trainer to make that kind of money.

Sure it's possible to bring I $1200 a week as a solo company or lease driver but that's gross pay. Not net. I average over $1200 a week as a company driver for Werner but that gross pay. Time SS, state and federal comes out and my insurance I am looking at around $850 net Pay.

Oh BTW I also had two trucks of my own and never seen $1200 net Pay a week. But hey if that is what you want to do then go for it. Just know you will turn towards being a trainer before it's over and done with.

I hear what you're saying. And I have zero problem training when I get the miles under my belt to do so. I used to train guys to get their CDL when I drive for a local company in Sacramento. The whole reason I got out of the industry before was I worked for a couple of companies that pretty much made it so you had to run two log books to Get from coast to coast. And other factors but my point is with the advent of elog and regulation, I'm back in and looking for the most profitable way to do it. So I appreciate the feedback.

Terry, I can understand where these other drivers are coming from. Coming from a successful lease operator at Prime I can honestly say I averaged $1500/week NET average when I was solo. Now that I train I make double that but also acquire more risk. Your goal is very possible. If you don't mind staying out for long periods of time, watch your fuel mileage and buy fuel at the correct locations it's practically impossible not to be successful. Another important part of leasing is to set up an emergency fund so you always have back up funds available just in case of desperate needs. If you have any other questions or need additional information just let me know. Stay safe out there.

Thanks so much for the feedback Robert. I'll be in touch

Hey Robert, did you receive my PM? I'm still very interested in looking at lease options, especially after talking to a couple more successful lease operators I've met out on the road.

What I'd like to know is if you (or anyone else) use primes tax people and whether or not their a good fit for doing business with. I don't have allot of options in Florida that deal with the trucking industry to make sure I'm getting the most bang for my buck. But I haven't extensively researched that yet as I'm still looking for a little more feedback from people that have been successful at it. (Lease operating)

I'm finding the common denominator with drivers that are so against leasing is they haven't been too adept at managing their time and day to day business on the road.