WHAT WILL I NEED an who to go with

OUTLAW · Oct 13, 2006

i have a cdl, drove for jb hunt for 18months back in 1993, nothing since. i work at Ford now, will be recieving a buyout in march an leaving Fords, i live near Detroit, but will be moving to western ky. i would like to start in a stright truck, i would like for the wife to work with me.
she just started driving a car an still has a permit. will she need a cdl. for a stright truck.
i want to drive for someone for about 6 months then get our own truck.
my credit score is terrible. low 500. so a company lease to own will be my only way.
on a lease can u choose the truck u want. i want to buy only one truck an have it last 8 to 10 years
like a large sleeper, plan to be out 3 weeks at a time.
lift axel. air ride. maybe a new truck.
an can i change to a different company on a lease. ,
not to worried about miles or money the first year.
im 52, so wont be doing this forever.
thank you for your replys, OUTLAW

RichM · Oct 13, 2006

Your wife will need her CDL if she plans to drive. There is a company that advertises on this site called Express 1,they have a lease to own program. Go to the recruiters forum and ask your question in there. Good Luck and welcome to EO.

LDB · Oct 13, 2006

I would highly recommend you read at least the last year of posts in the general, newbies and recruiter forums. That doesn't mean every single post but go through them and read the mones that catch your eye. There will be many that give you good information and help you answer your questions as well as ask additional more specific questions. Good luck to you.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

ATeam · Oct 13, 2006

What Leo said about reading a year's worth of previous posts.

If your credit score is bad as you say, I would be very, very reluctant to get into a new obligation where you have a creditor (leasor) in your life. Consider instead driving for a fleet owner and managing your money well long enough to restore your credit score. THEN go into debt if you wish, after your restored credit score gives you proof-positive evidence that you can successfully manage your money and credit.

Another option is to run for a fleet owner long enough to save up enough money to pay cash for a truck of your own. It will require consistent work and patience on your part but it can be done. And if you do it, your financial circumstances will be better than those of many drivers who labor under debt.

Finally, one of the very few fleet owners mentioned on this foum whose lease/purchase arrangements actually come to successful conclusions (the drivers actually end up owning the truck, instead of the truck owner getting the truck back and the drivers ending up broke) are Tim and Pat Hopkins.

If you are going to lease/purchase a truck, it is wise to check out the Hopkins brothers first. They are fleet owners running trucks with FedEx Custom Critical.

OUTLAW · Oct 13, 2006

i was looking at fedex, an would like to run with them, but i had a dui in 1981, fedex does canada, when i worked for JB i ran Canada till i got stoped an they found out about it in 1993, they let me go, but i had to buy a 30 day permit for $100. my wife is from Philippines, she has a green card, but im not sure they would want us to run expedite in Canada. i wish fedex would take us. Outlaw