Fleet owners needed?

[bramos]

I have a buddy doing expediting right now with a cargo van. He traded his tractor in for a cargo van. He says he enjoys it. I was in the public transportation business for a few years and was thinking of applying that same business framework and methodology to the expediting business.

That’s what got me interested in the expediting business. I’m thinking of investing into 5 or more cargo van and leasing them to a carrier. I was thinking of a daily rate or splitting the freight bill with independent drivers. Would this (Ending 1 QTR) be a good time to start this venture? It’s my understanding this is the slowest time of the year. Also, do you know of any carriers that would good to work with a fleet owner fashion? Or am I just crazy and naive for even dreaming up this venture? (LOL) Give me the real deal and don’t be afraid to call me crazy. :+ I want the real lowdown!!!


-Brian

 

[Glen Rice]

Normally fleet owners don't own vans. The reason being the revenue will not support both owner and driver to any great degree. If you wanted to buy vans and then lease the units with an option to buy, that might make more sense. Make your money on the interest rate you could charge and help someone who may not be qualified on his or her own to obtain the finances. What do you think?

 

[Crazynuff]

I think 2 C or D units with teams would be a lot more profitable . I don't see how any solo operation could turn a decent profit for 2 parties .

 

[bramos]

Both of you,

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Does anyone know a good carrier to start with? How about Panther II? Your thoughts

 

[Twmaster]

Speaking as a van owner/operator I have to agree. There is not enough money on a consistant bassis to feed two. (Owner and driver)

As for a good carrier the archives of these forums are chock full of that very same question. Sit down with a pot of coffee and read. It's full of good stuff.

--
Mike N

Faster than a speeding poulet.

Owner/Operator Big 'B'
Experienced
10 years auto transport
2 years local/distance expedite
Laurel, MD (Washington DC area)

 

[Crazynuff]

Panther II is good but all their ads I've seen recently say " Now currently hiring drivers for fleet owners " . Sounds like there's quite a few trucks sitting idle without drivers or it could be owners are adding to their fleet and need drivers . I don't want to discourage you but in one post someone looking for a used truck was referred to a finance company that had plenty of repo trucks . That means a lot of people don't make it . Most people starting out are told to start with a fleet owner to avoid being stuck with a truck if they decide expediting isn't for them . Where's that leave the fleet owner ? On the other hand there are good drivers out there that got hooked up with a fleet owner that dealt unfairly with them and they'd be good drivers for you . What you don't want to be is a fleet owner with no personal experience dealing with a driver with no experience . I'd say the most successful fleet owners took a while to get where they are . They drove for someone e;se to get experience then more than likely drove their own truck for a while then started adding to their fleet . I'd say if you really want to get into it you should be in a position to go out and run the truck yourself if a driver quits and you don't have a ready replacement . It might also be a good idea to hire one good experienced driver and team with him a while to learn the business . You want teams on your trucks . There's good potential out there but success doesn't come with luck . It takes knowledge and hard work . You don't work hard all the time but you earn the income .

 

[geo]

i brough my sprinter from a person who changed his mind after
getting the sprinter and had to make payments until i came along and
took off his hands and he was paying a high payment to just sit and collect dust
because bank doen't care that you change your mind they want there money, so if i had to do it again i think i would find a fleet owner
and find a fair deal and go on from there
and i have been doing this sent 92 and have been there in hard times and good times
egl is good in norfolk va as we have a little of everything run local 90 percent of time and 10 percent out ot town
did 4 runs friday and was great day 336 mile and home