Trucking Owner-Operator Pitfalls
Owner operator trucking jobs
There are tons of excellent trucking companies available. We have known company drivers for all of us Express, USA Truck, Schneider Trucking, Werner Trucking, and LTL trucking the likes of Yellow Freight and Roadway Express that were really knocking back the cash. Personally, i had a job with Continental Express and Digby Truck Lines and did very well. But for some drivers, doing work for somebody else seriously isn't enough...
Trucking jobs
The problem for many would be that the lure with the open road tricks them into becoming owner operators prior to being ready.
I have already been the owner operator for nearly 8 a number of I would estimate I will be pretty high in food chain. "Making it" as an owner operator in trucking is difficult. I did not arrive here by luck, Gurus lots of questions and listened to what other drivers said their mistakes were. Gaining knowledge through others' mistakes helps me avoid a number of the pitfalls they fell into.
Pitfall #1 Lease Purchase
Without having the bucks or credit to look purchase a truck all on your own, you are not ready. Spend a couple of years like a company driver- I suggest a minimum of two years- and acquire informed. Talk with trucking legal resources like OOIDA concerning the issues with lease purchase deals. Many drivers have forfeit lots of many gained a lot of ugly spots on their credit history simply because they didn't investigate drawbacks and consequences.
Pitfall #2 Work harder, not smarter
The goal is to work smarter, not harder in terms of as being a successful owner operator. Cheap freight may get you 5,000 miles weekly solo, it also gets that you simply million mile truck long before it is time. Choose your loads and also the company you lease too carefully. You're not a company driver anymore, so just because they promise the miles does not imply they'll give you the money. Remember, the greater miles you run- the greater fuel you'll burn, the harder maintenance you'll require, the greater damage you'll have on your own truck and yourself.
Pitfall #3 Been There, Done That
Some truckers seem to know everything. Unfortunately for the kids, ignorance is bliss. In order to truly succeed in trucking, continue to keep your eyes open for first time opportunities. Never give up your contract on impulse, but always know what your alternatives are. Network with other drivers and then try to search through the bologna to achieve the maximum amount of information as possible. Who knows when the situation is likely to go sour and you need to have a back up plan or two browsing the wings. You might find that you aren't doing nearly as well as you thought you were in comparison to other owner operators available.