I'm Owner

Saw this news here and I have to say I’m proud of these guys for standing up for themselves. Low freight rates are killing us owner operators and brokers are taking advantage of us by hiding their margins. We need more transparency in the industry and more support for our fellow truckers. Anyone else here support their cause? What do you think we can do to improve our situation?

Comments

Lepe

05.19.2023

They are also hurting themselves by losing money and time.

6

Pascal

05.19.2023

It's just a traffic disruption causing problems for others. I think it makes us look bad and hurts the reputation of the industry.

1

Jago

05.18.2023

We need to Show the brokers and the shippers that we are not going to take their lowball offers anymore

0

Fleur

05.17.2023

+ I support them 100% and I think we should organize more protests like this.

3

Jordan

05.17.2023

We are the backbone of this country and we deserve to be paid fairly and treated with respect 💪💪.

0

Magnus

05.17.2023

I think we should form a union or a coalition to negotiate better rates and contracts with brokers. We need to have more bargaining power and more leverage in the industry.

2

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Hello everybody, I just read this article about OOIDA health insurance, a program that offers affordable and comprehensive health coverage for owner-operators and independent drivers. They have different plans and options to fit your needs and budget.

They also have discounts and benefits for OOIDA members. Has anyone tried this program or know someone who has? I’m thinking of signing up for it, but I want to hear some opinions first. Thanks in advance!

Comments

Jago

05.04.2023

I’m not sure if it’s worth it. I have heard some positive and negative reviews about it

2

Pascal

05.04.2023

Tried OOIDA health insurance a while ago and didn’t like it. It was too expensive for me and it didn’t cover everything I needed. Also had some issues with the customer service and the claims process. I ended up switching to another provider that was cheaper and better.

1

Alastair Glover

05.03.2023

+ I have been using OOIDA health insurance for a few months now and I’m very satisfied with it. It covers most of my medical expenses and it’s easy to use. I also like that I can choose the plan that works best for me.

4

Krueger

05.03.2023

I have heard good things about it from some of my friends who are OOIDA members.

0

Jordan

05.03.2023

They charge you high fees and premiums, and they don’t deliver on their promises. Just saying

2

Lepe

05.02.2023

It’s a great option for drivers who don’t have access to sponsored health insurance.

0

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what is the best to get loads as a o/o

Comments

Seamus

04.07.2023

There’s no easy answer to that, buddy. It depends on your equipment, your location, your preferences, your network, etc. Some guys swear by load boards or dedicated contracts. You gotta find what works for you and stick with it

2

Eddie

03.30.2023

The best way to get loads is to marry a broker. Or divorce one.

2

Fleur

03.23.2023

I contract with a dispatching service to get loads as an owner-operator. They manage my schedule and find loads that suit my preferences and availability. They take care of all the paperwork and billing for me. They charge a flat fee per load or a monthly subscription

2

Jordan

03.15.2023

There are plenty of load boards out there if you don't already have contacts with brokers. Just do a search on 'load boards' and you'll turn up quite a few options, all with subscription rates.

2

Pascal

03.15.2023

I prefer working with a dispatcher

0

Benito

03.14.2023

building relationships with direct customers because they provide you with consistent work and loyal service. You don’t have to compete with other drivers or pay any fees to middlemen.

0

Alastair Glover

03.13.2023

+ Signing up with a load board. A load board is an online platform that connects shippers and brokers with carriers and drivers. You can search for loads that match your criteria, such as location, equipment, rate, and availability. You can also post your truck and let shippers and brokers contact you.

3

Lepe

03.13.2023

I prefer using load boards because they give me more flexibility and control over my schedule and income. I can choose the loads that suit me best and negotiate the rates directly with the shippers or brokers.

0

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What do you look for when buying a new truck, and what is a deal breaker or red flag for you?

Comments

Seamus

04.02.2023

look for fuel efficiency, reliability, comfort and safety. A deal breaker for me is a truck that has a lot of miles on it, a bad maintenance history, or a shady seller.

2

Josef

03.20.2023

Reliable engine, good fuel economy, enough towing and payload capacity, and a comfortable interior.

1

Jordan

03.05.2023

Oh man that can be a long list

1

Pascal

03.04.2023

A deal breaker for me is a pushy seller or hidden fees.

0

Jago

03.04.2023

If you're buying used, go thru a dealer and get the warranty added into the financing.

1

Alastair Glover

03.03.2023

+ I look for a truck that has low mileage, good fuel economy, and a comfortable cab. A deal breaker for me is a bad engine or transmission.

3

Lepe

03.03.2023

Truck that has a strong engine, reliable brakes, and a spacious bed. A red flag for me is a salvage title or a lot of rust

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I bought my Truck 5 months ago. I have a loan on it, but after 5 months it has problems that's not worth fixing. It's been almost 3 months my truck been off road. The car note is now due and I'm stuck on if I should pay it or not. Right now I'm trying to trade it in. Can someone steer me in the right direction

Comments

Elias

03.25.2023

Sounds like you got a bad deal, buddy. You should have done your homework before buying a truck.

6

Denzel

03.11.2023

I’d say try to trade it in as soon as possible and get yourself a reliable rig. Don’t let the car note pile up or you’ll be in deep shit.

1

Marni

03.02.2023

I would look for a reputable mechanic or shop that can give you an honest estimate of how much it would cost to fix your truck and how long it would take.

1

Barney

02.23.2023

I would try to negotiate with the lender and see if they can offer you a lower interest rate, a longer term, or a deferment of payments until you can fix or sell your truck.

0

Jordan

02.02.2023

owe money on the truck, and I have a Trailer I have to pay for as well. I'm trying to trade it in to the place I bought it from.

0

Xander

02.01.2023

I’d suggest you go talk to your mechanic AND finance company and explain the situation. You WILL end up in a bad situation on all of this no matter what..

2

Lepe

02.01.2023

Pay for the repair, and odd are in your favor that you will be able to continue forward with no major issues.

2

Grayson

01.31.2023

NTP (premium2000) would have been a reasonable purchase with the truck in that case. I put it on both my Volvo’s and it’s paid for itself both times.

1

Jordan

01.29.2023

This repair is too expensive for me at this stage. It's the dpf box. He said for the box alone it's $16,000. I only had the Truck 5 months

2

Grayson

01.29.2023

+ It’ll take about $25-30k in the first year for the repairs just to get a used truck reliable.

5

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I’ve always used my business credit card but most of the time if I use it at the pump it’s not accepted or can only pump 100$ worth of fuel so always have to go inside and prepay. Curious what the best fuel/fleet card owner ops use ? Usually only see loves and pilots around the areas I run. Do get fuel at the mom and pops quite a bit as well. I also use Mudflap as well when I can

Comments

Ayden

03.18.2023

Pilot Flying J card. It works at most of their locations and you get points for showers, food and merchandise.

6

Daniels

03.08.2023

I use the TSD Logistics card. It gives you discounts at most places and you can use it at the pump. Plus they have an app that shows you the prices and locations. It’s a no-brainer, man.

2

Strickland

03.01.2023

I prefer the TAFS F2 Fuel Card

0

Jordan

01.31.2023

We used tcs and fleetone.

1

Lepe

01.31.2023

+ Mud flap app on the road, and a skid tank at the yard is what I use

5

Jago

01.31.2023

TSD seems to have better deals out west. Not as great where I live now. Still beats mudflap most of the time

0

Pascal

01.29.2023

NASTC and pilot acct with NASTC competitor pricing thru RTS. I use them interchangeably.

1

Krueger

01.27.2023

Hidden 50 gallon tank filled with dyed fuel.

0

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Hi guys, I have a friend of mine based out of So. Cal who pulls reefers under his own authority and is thinking about switching over to a flatbed to start out in the winter to see if he can make some more money. Questions he has:

1. Would it be beneficial to start out under his own authority or run under a company like Landstar or Mercer
2. How much would the equipment be for someone starting out
3. Which type and length of trailer would you run if you were based out of So. Cal
4. If he were to go under his own authority, would company offer flatbed securement classes

Comments

Elias

03.02.2023

If he’s new to flatbedding, I would recommend running under a company like Landstar or Mercer. They have good training and support for flatbed drivers and they pay decent rates.

6

Haroon

02.20.2023

I run a 48’ step deck out of So. Cal and I do pretty well. I have my own authority and I use load boards to find loads. I think it’s better than running under a company because you have more control and flexibility.

2

Magnus

02.13.2023

A new truck can cost anywhere from $100k to $200k or more, while a used one can be as low as $20k to $50k or more. A new flatbed trailer can cost around $30k to $40k or more, while a used one can be around $10k to $20k or more.

0

Fred

01.30.2023

Running under his own authority may give him more freedom and control over his rates and loads, but it also comes with more responsibilities and expenses such as insurance, permits, taxes and compliance.

2

Pascal

01.21.2023

I have a couple friends running flats, not stepdecks, for mercer. The consensus I get from them is that loads going into Cali pay decent, but they get raped trying to get out. Usually containers paying barely passable rates.

0

Jordan

01.20.2023

Mercer has a west coast board or something like that I think. Dont know what kind of money they make though. I would talk to alot of people if I was him.

2

Jago

01.20.2023

+ Unless he has some contacts that will provide him with loads, he would probably be better to lease on somewhere, but maintain his authority.

4

Lepe

01.20.2023

So if reloaction is not an option, maybe running Western 11 is an option. Just a thought... I really don't know enough about the Left Coast.

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Hello . I am thinking about buying a volvo d13 ishift with 500HP eco torque .i usually gross 76k on my loads .what do you guys think? Should i go for it or would that hurt my mpg since it is 500 hp.cuz i keep hearing that the 425hp is a good combonation with ishift . Does high HP hurt mpg? Thank you

Comments

Mike

12.30.2022

Higher hp driven right you wont burn a drop more fuel in fact you might save some. The I shift can take it, there are several models each with slightly different specs and torque ratings - paired safely with whatever engine.

11

Jago

12.29.2022

i know the parts are expensive and most of the times only volvo dealers have them .but my question was mainly about the fuel mileage and whether the 500hp is a plus or bad thong on relationship with the Ishift .

3

Pascal

12.29.2022

Does what your buying fit what your wanting to haul? Asking these guys a question you know the answer to seems redundant. More of the question would be What issues may I run into? Are parts easy to come by? What is the cost of Operating this Volvo? Go that route.

2

Jago

12.27.2022

Yes i did drive many and i love the comfort and everything about a volvo .

2

Pascal

12.26.2022

Have you driven a Volvo before?

0

Thomas D.

12.26.2022

If the truck your interested in purchasing fits your operation, then that is the truck you should purchase.

3

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How much money should I save up to become an Owner operator

Comments

Lepe

12.20.2022

What repairs did you need in 2 weeks that cost you $20k?

11

Pascal

12.19.2022

Well in these last 2 weeks with a 2018 truck it’s about 20k in repairs. Plus truck down 6-8 weeks ETA at 3k a week loss just in my own pocket. So that’s 36k for about a month. I’d say 500-600k. You’re gonna have to ride out 30-60-90 nets. Fuel everyday. Insurance. Payments. It goes quick. Very very quick.

3

Thomas D.

12.19.2022

-If your truck does not break down, then not much just for the first fuel and other shit before you get some paychecks. -If your truck breaks down, then lots and lots of money.

1

Fleur

12.18.2022

I had 30k saved before I went out and decided to get my own truck.

1

Krueger

12.17.2022

The best way to make a million trucking?? Start with 2 million.

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