I'm considering becoming an owner operator

[skyangel1733]

I'm considering becoming an owner operator. Given the rising price of gas and other maintenance costs, would this be the wrong time to start? I've had previous experience with expediting driving for an owner opearator but I wasn't making that much money.

 

[RMPM01]

You are right, its not a good time to start. Most of us are already committed.

I dont think fuel will go under $4 a gallon ever again.

 

[AMonger]

You are right, its not a good time to start. Most of us are already committed.

I dont think fuel will go under $4 a gallon ever again.

Taking the right steps, it could be under $2 in short order.

The technology to make oil from coal has existed for years. GE has this technology and has considered building such plants in the past. But oil has to stay above $30/barrel for them just to break even, and when they've discussed building it in the past (and many such plants would have to be built to power the whole country this way), OPEC dropped the price to take away their incentive. After the last time, GE decided they'd never again consider building them unless the federal government guaranteed they'd not lose their investment, something the federal government has been unwilling to do, especially now that we have a crazy ******* who hates the energy industry, especially coal, and wants to eliminate it, regardless of how it hurts America and Americans. He made promises to the eco-nutjobs, promises that don't involve cheap oil.

We have enough coal to produce enough oil to run all our cars, trucks, and lawnmowers for hundreds of years, but that would interfere with some agendas.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[Moot]

I'm considering becoming an owner operator. Given the rising price of gas and other maintenance costs, would this be the wrong time to start?

If you wait for the price of gas and other maintenance costs to decline, you will never become an O/O. Most carriers have a fuel surcharge in place the should offset the rising cost of fuel. A f.s.c. does nothing to reduce the costs of tires, parts, labor, food etc. What is needed is an increase in freight rates that eventually trickle down to the O/O. If you are financially set to take the plunge, go for it! If you are broke and desperate, find something else.

 

[skyangel1733]

Is there any profit to be made?

 

[chefdennis]

Is there any profit to be made?

Ahhh you think we are all out here just because we feel the need to waste money or donate our services?? Comon, we all have different wants and needs..what you need may not be enough for the next person, what i make mighrt not be enough for you...

I got into this business in 2008 when my 1st tank of gas for my 1st run cost me $3.86 a gallon and i was told for 6 months before that i would starve and not make it..almost 5 yrs later i have 2 trucks and I am doing quite well.

No one can tell you how much you will make..that is totaly depended on the carrier you sign with, the type of truck you are driving and YOU....don't buy a van...cube van, sprinter minimum...

You wait for the cost of things to go down, you will be waiting until the cows come home..the FSC with a good company does what it is suppose to do and keeps gas/fuel cost line...the rate per load be it paid by mileage or % of the load varies between carriers..find one that works for you....yes there is money to be made..but its still not a "quick easy buck"....but how much all depends on the variables i stated above...

One thing to think about, "nothing comes without risk"...if you can't afford the risk, or can't "set yourself up up front to succeed, then don't do it....but that is on you, not the industry..a person can good money doin this...Keep the expenses to a minimum and work hard, you will be fine...

 

[Rocketman]

..don't buy a van...cube van, sprinter minimum...

My apologies to Chef, but since I know how meant that to be read, I'm going to clarify his statement.

He is saying not to buy a regular van....BUY a cube van or Sprinter.the larger units have more success simply because they can get loads that wont fit into regular vans.

Do your research. There are plenty of people making a living out here, but the margins are thin and the risk of failure is at least equal to the opportunity for success. This forum has vast amounts of information.

 

[LDB]

They say this is a good way to amass a small fortune... provided you begin with a large fortune. Joking (sort of) aside, a few will make a lot of money doing this, some will make adequate money and some will fail. Part of that is due to Murphy, part to happenstance, part to preparation, part to perseverance and part to dumb luck. Good luck.