I've drove big rigs and cargo vans OTR many years ago. I have been providing local service for last-mile delivery for the past 10 years. I'm curious, If I purchase a cargo/sprinter van to put OTR and find a driver, would I make a decent amount of money? I know it's based on acceptance of loads, pay rate, etc. but I was wondering if it would be worth my while. I was thinking about going with Bolt, V3 or Panther. I was going to buy a van out right and would like some advice before I do so. Thanks in advance.
How Much?
- Thread starter JFE
- Start date
Owners can't keep drivers in the van as it is. Too many people getting a piece of a small pie. 1 van operation with a driver would be hard to make anything worth wild, and you have all the risk. It's not as easy as it sounds.
Thanks for the reply. Would you think purchasing a straight truck would be better? Do you know of any successful fleet owners I can speak with and learn from? I don't need to take any profit from the vans for right now until I build a fleet. If I did want to get into this business, how would you suggest I start? Thank you.
I drive and own a solo straight truck right now, and struggling. I'm sure there are some fleet owners doing well, I just don't know any. It's a struggle for anybody, especially right now with low rates and lack of freight/high competition. And the cost only increase with straights. Teams have always been best and most profitable for straights, but that's not even a given. Same household teams are ideal if you can find them or be one.
Did you sign up under another company? I guess I really won't know how this would work unless I actually put a van or two out on the road with maybe a couple different companies. Maybe one person's struggle is my type of success lol.
I did not sign, no. I just decided otherwise, for a few reasons 1) not having any savings to start with, so didnt want to be in a bind going OTR the first few weeks being the roughest and close to Winter time, 2) I have a bad L5, and a left hand broke that didnt heal correctly (I plan to have it rebroke) and didnt want to go through the hassel of failing DOT physical. So I thought I was making a good decision