If you had a chance/opertunity
- Thread starter myvan010
- Start date
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
As Dave said, not enough info...but from personally, I don't deal well with "big Brother' or others looking over my shoulder and telling me how to run my business such as Scaling, logbooks, HOS....so no chances are i wouldn't do it....
For me the biggest factors are logging and scaling, and parking.
And U-turns.
Yeah, U-turns may be the biggest factor.
Ever drive by the cons and go, "Oh, there it is. Whoops."
That's got to be a PITA in a straight truck. I don't even want to think about it for a T/T.
And U-turns.
Yeah, U-turns may be the biggest factor.
Ever drive by the cons and go, "Oh, there it is. Whoops."
That's got to be a PITA in a straight truck. I don't even want to think about it for a T/T.
Not really that big a deal in a straight truck. On rare occasion, a bit of a hassle. Now, I have been in situations where I was really, really glad I wasn't in T/T.
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
While I agree with Guido as to not getting into a ST, the creature comforts can be put in a van, you just don't have the "extra' standup and move around room that you have in a bigger sleeper...I removerd the pass seat and I have a dorm room frig, a micro wave twinsize bed that folds to let me still get 2 48x52 skids if i need to, 22 flat screen tv, heat (big buddy) single room 12,000 btu's of ac, house bank and inverters..then there is the xm radio and online service we all here have...
So while I don't have that standup and move around room, I still have the "creature comforts" and with non of the DOT BS...and I am also with a carrier that lets me run without swapping loads, so the income is as good as some ST's that are on with some of the other carriers....for me, I wouldn't get into a ST unless the deal was totally over the top for a solo...yea i'll get a bigger CV type unit, but not a ST....
So while I don't have that standup and move around room, I still have the "creature comforts" and with non of the DOT BS...and I am also with a carrier that lets me run without swapping loads, so the income is as good as some ST's that are on with some of the other carriers....for me, I wouldn't get into a ST unless the deal was totally over the top for a solo...yea i'll get a bigger CV type unit, but not a ST....
having done all 3...only thing I MIGHT consider is teaming in a straight...but not likely...solo straight is a dying job..
i traded my western star in for a sprinter van and cost of operations as follows
sprinter western star
1/2 tank of fuel 12.50 gals 1/2 tank of fuel 75 gals
4 tire $ 550.00 6 tires $ 1,200
2,600 lbs 4 pallets 13,500 8 pallets oil change $400.00 oil change $350.00
no log book log book
stop at scales 10% stop at 100 % of scales
tolls cheaper tolls more
lic plates cheaper irp whole lot more
non reg dot reg dot
hope this helps
sprinter western star
1/2 tank of fuel 12.50 gals 1/2 tank of fuel 75 gals
4 tire $ 550.00 6 tires $ 1,200
2,600 lbs 4 pallets 13,500 8 pallets oil change $400.00 oil change $350.00
no log book log book
stop at scales 10% stop at 100 % of scales
tolls cheaper tolls more
lic plates cheaper irp whole lot more
non reg dot reg dot
hope this helps
(add confused smiley face thing here)
Up to a straight truck? You are confused my friend. I spent 20 years driving T/T to achieve my goal and reach the pinnacle of the trucking industry: cargo van O/O. Why would I regress at this stage in my life?
You said all of your kids are grown expect for one. I'm not sure how this figures into the straight truck/van equation but you could take him/her along and use as a wheel chock.
TJ959
Veteran Expediter
I really prefered the Sprinter. It was difficult to make a decent living in the strait truck as a single driver and the new HOS rules made it even harder. Come to think of it, it was difficult making a living in the van too. Anyway, I'd prefer a van over trying to make it single (and legal) in a strait truck. Besides, you can always play tourist when you are empty. Part of this business is dealing with the time while you are empty and waiting for the next load. The van makes it much easier to find points of interest and amusement while you wait. Strait trucks are much better and more profitable for a team but ... I did miss that big sleeper.
I thought about going to ST. The plan was for me to go out and learn the biz in a Sprinter, then bring the wife out and go into a ST as a team. That was the plan....
One time I had to drop off 25 miles from home. It was a weekend run, so I ask the wife to come with me and see if I can get unloaded on Sunday. So off we go, 11 miles down the road, I look over at her and say, "well? You think you would like doing this?" "I don't think this is for me" After 11 miles I could'nt understand, but at least I would be out here in a Sprinter. No need to get a ST as a solo I guess.
jujubeans
OVM Project Manager
You should have taken her on a trip to the Grand Canyon...or Yellowstone Park or any of the other beautiful places we've been. Might have changed her mind...
You should have taken her on a trip to the Grand Canyon...or Yellowstone Park or any of the other beautiful places we've been. Might have changed her mind...
I tried....