does this sound do able to any of you?

[wwb6698]

Ok tell me why I shouldn’t consider this as a good business opportunity? Buy a used truck lease it on with an expediter and they will find drivers to keep in your truck .
So in theory you could make at a high guestiment 45k-100k after all expenses are paid and not have to drive the truck.
Ok, here are some figures for you to chew on, for a solo driver:
2500 miles/week @ $1.00/mile with $.25 fuel surcharge and 48 weeks = $150,000.00 gross per/year
for team drivers
5000 miles/week @ $1.00/mile with $.25 fuel surcharge and 48 weeks - $300,000.00 gross per/year
you must realize that is gross revenue for a year, before truck payments, fuel, drivers and expenses, so for a net figure I would estimate, repeat estimate, $45,000 net for a solo and $90,000 - 120,000 for a team.

is this worth the effort.

 

[JohnMueller]

WWB6698;

Your plan sounds well in theory BUT there are many, many variables that will affect your business. One such variable is mileage - will your truck(s) average 2500 PAID miles per week? Probably not. Having the perfect 500 mile run for your truck 5 days a week is a tough cookie for any carrier, especially in the Expedited Industry.

Most companies view the responsibility of hiring drivers for fleet owners the responsibility of the Fleet Owner (because you are an independent contractor). Most will gladly refer potential drivers to a fleet owner. Some may even charge for orientation and the like, for those drivers that you hire, especially if there is significant turnover within your fleet. Be sure to get any potential drivers qualified with the company, and an orientation, prior to them operating a vehicle. Physical and pre-employment drug screens are mandatory at any company (DOT regulation).

Unexpected maintenance or repairs will wreak havoc on your brief business plan. Some unexpected repairs can be substantial in the price of the repair itself and also down time for you and the driver.

Keep in mind that NO ONE is going to work as hard at YOUR business as you will. The same is generally true when it comes to taking care of equipment.

Just some thoughts to help you make good decisions and a reasonable business plan if you do consider entering the Expedite Industry. I also suggest reading some of the past posts and threads on the subject here on ExpeditersOnLine - perhaps on business plans and becoming a fleet owner.

The Expedite Industry is a very unique sector of the trucking industry. It is very rewarding for most of us, not only financially, but also personally rewarding as well. You'll definitely meet some of the nicest and helpful folks here!

Good luck in your ventures,

Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter

 

[LDB]

The term "wildly optimistic" comes to mind. Figure on 1500/3000 paid weekly to solo/teams as an annual average. Figure on 45 weeks annually. You'll have down time for the drivers to be home as well as for Murphy to visit you so I suggest you figure very conservatively. In addition to that you'll have down time when drivers quit and the truck is idle until the next driver takes it. IF nothing else goes wrong you might do about half what you've projected in your post. If the clutch goes out there's about 3 grand for repair and hotel for your driver(s). If you need an overhead maybe double that. If you have to have a new engine quadruple it. In other words, it isn't going to be big money as you may think it will be. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[X1_SRH]

Finding qualified and RESPONSIBLE drivers is the biggest challenge in this business for fleet owners and the companies assisting them. The company will typically work in partnership with the owner providing leads on drivers. The company can qualify those leads to work for them, but ultimately the decision on who gets hired and who doesn't will be that of the owner of the truck.

Scott