26' Straight box trucking

mknt201 · Jan 10, 2021

Hello,
hope everyone had a great holiday. Happy New Year to all of you, and your family.
My name is Nick. I would like to get some suggestions, input, opinion on starting at 26ft non-cdl straight box truck business.
I have the following questions and concerns:
1. is it better to start out by leasing a truck?
2. if I do lease a truck do I still need to apply for DOT, MC number along with getting insurance?
3. on average how much do straight truck insurance runs? what kind of insurance do I need to get?
4. do I need to get DOT physical and medical card?
5. where do I find loads for straight trucks?
6. is it better to work with a dispatcher or a broker? how much do they normally charge?
7. is leasing on to a bigger carrier worth it? which carrier(s) leases straight trucks?

if I miss anything or you like to add more please feel free to do so.
thank you for your help.

P&WTrucking · Jan 20, 2021

leasing can be pricey with mileage, check all your rates first
Yes you do need to apply for DOT, MC and insurance
You regular liability, motor cargo and it depends on the insurance you get
Yes you do
DAT and truck stop and some others
Depends on the person. I currently dispatch a 26ft and sprinter.
I helped my driver find his 26 ft box truck, he currently plus between 700-1000 a week with millage

skyraider · Jan 21, 2021

Your questions are good and they have been asked about a 1000 times in the last 5 years and the answer is::have at least 30k dollars in the bank to get started, but if you have 30k in the bank,,,go to a trade school and take either HVAC or electrical commerical wiring and you will never go hungry again,,,,

mknt201 · Jan 21, 2021

thank you
do you dispatch for any state? If i get my authority will you be able to work with me as well?

P&WTrucking said:
leasing can be pricey with mileage, check all your rates first
Yes you do need to apply for DOT, MC and insurance
You regular liability, motor cargo and it depends on the insurance you get
Yes you do
DAT and truck stop and some others
Depends on the person. I currently dispatch a 26ft and sprinter.
I helped my driver find his 26 ft box truck, he currently plus between 700-1000 a week with millage