Talk some sense into me....................

[HSLD]

If you could, would you add (buy) a second truck to your operation?

I could add a second truck to run regional reefer in Texas. The only thing keeping me from it is drivers. In the past, the drivers I've had almost put me under. I started out at 26% of the linehaul. At 6 months, I'd raise it to 28%. At a year, I'd raise it to 30%. I offered a % of the profits at 6 months and again at a year. I offered 2 weeks paid vacation. I never could get a driver worth a crap. They cost me $$$$ in repairs and pallets. The stupid crap they pulled is almost funny now that so much time has past since it happened. At the time, the only way I could have made any money was to charge interest on the payday advances.

So, I ran 'em off and become a one truck - one driver operation. Now, I've only got one stupid driver's crap I've got to put up with, mine.

So, what would you do?????

HSLD

[joerockhead]

What do you have to offer a driver that he can't get from a carrier? That's essentially what it comes down to. You're offering no benefits other than a couple of weeks paid vacation, where as a driver can usually get health benefits from a carrier. Are you hiring as a "driver" or "contract help". You're offering % pay which many might see as a risk, they won't see the potential positives of it and will howl about deadheading.

With the driver market as tight as it is, couple that your past failure at being unable to secure good help, I'd invest my money in another venue.

[HSLD]

What do you have to offer a driver that he can't get from a carrier? That's essentially what it comes down to. You're offering no benefits other than a couple of weeks paid vacation, where as a driver can usually get health benefits from a carrier. Are you hiring as a "driver" or "contract help". You're offering % pay which many might see as a risk, they won't see the potential positives of it and will howl about deadheading.

With the driver market as tight as it is, couple that your past failure at being unable to secure good help, I'd invest my money in another venue.

Yeah, I agree. After seeing some of the crap these guys pulled, they weren't with a carrier for a reason.

I guess all I offered other than steady pay, was home most nights and off weekends. Deadheading was never much of an issue. If I had to deadhead, I got paid for it and so did the driver. Most of the problem was the drivers not wanting to work. Show up for two loads a week and complain that you're not making it. How the he!! can you look someone in the face and say that?

I was just more of less kicking the idea around. Thankfully, my wife hasn't forgotten all the driver BS from the past like I have.

HSLD

[Foxfire]

First off I think that percentage for a company driver is very good. But is it off the top or after the broker gets his/her cut?
And, about the repairs, were they legitimate repairs? I, for one, am not a mechanic. That is why when I return to the road I will be a company driver. If the truck or trailer needs repairs, it is the owner's responsibilty. Of course, I do know how to replace a light or adjust a brake. But I am refering to other repairs.
Pallets are a sticky issue. If you have them and don't need them, you have to sell them. Maybe there isn't a place near that will buy them. As, the owner it is up to you to find someplace near that willl take them or maybe they can be utilized on the next load picked up. Or maybe a swap can be made. But, again, that is the owner's responsibilty. A bit of common sense on the driver's part is a good thing.
Two weeks vacation sounds very good. I would also check into some kind of group insurance.

If I lived in Texas I would seriously talk to you about this. But near Tampa, Fl. is too far to even consider it.

[dljtruck]

You are on the right track but the"finding a driver thing" is your biggest hurdle. It has been my experience that finding a person that takes care of equipment and runs like you would yourself is nearly impossable to find. my best drivers were retired drivers that knew what they were doing...with insurance costs and repairs being as they are, throwing anyone but the best behind the wheel could cost you your livelyhood. I am a one horse show myself. good luck, Dennis

[HSLD]

Hey Foxfire,

I paid % of the linehaul. The drivers were making up to 1200 a week. I'd say the average was 900.00. That's three Houston turns a week. I actually had better runs (shorter) at the time and lost them to drivers being late for appointments, etc.............

I paid for the repairs. I never expected a driver to do any repairs (except for say a burned out headlight or a worn wiper blade away from home).

The drivers were rough on the equipment because they just didn't care. That's when I offered a % of the profits thinking they'd take care of the equipment and save me the $$$ on repair bills. Didn't work.

Pallets. I have to exchange everywhere I go. 24 on, 24 off. If a driver doesn't make sure it happens, I start paying $5.00 a pallet. It's amazing how quick $5.00 adds up and gets outta hand.

Lost load locks. I paid a small fortune in lost load locks. Just couldn't find a driver that paid attention to, well, doing the job.

Well, you get the picture.

HSLD

[HSLD]

Yeah Dennis, you're right. I've got two retired O/O's that'll cover for me when I want the time off. Both of them don't want more than a load here and there. Just enough to get out of the house every now and then.

If I could clone both of these guys and put them in a truck full time, I'd have it made. They both take care of my truck like they owned it. And trip envelopes and logs, they go into detail and the entries are neat, clean and readable. They broke the mold on these two.

I've actually thought of doing a second truck with them on it. One likes to run during the week and the other likes the weekend. If both of them weren't so long in the tooth, I'd do it.

HSLD

[Foxfire]

I understand where you are coming from. Having been an O/O twice myself, I can relate to all of the above. The one time I had another driver in my truck it was my boyfriend. When we went our seperate ways, I had to sell the truck. Now that it looks like I will be able to get back on the road, I am scouting around.
I have always treated the truck I drove like it was my own also. To me, it WAS my truck! It was my home and if it broke I had to wait until it was fixed before I could go anywhere else.A little preventative maintenence will go a long way.
As far as your decision to add another truck, this is one you will have to make all by yourself, I'm afraid. We can all tell you what we would do, but in the long run, it's YOUR decision.

[magicman]

I found the same problems, when I had 2 trucks. I honestly got tired of being a babysitter. My last driver was a good guy. Careful with the equipment, did a good job for the companies I had the truck leased to, BUT he was not motivated. He never tore up my truck or the company's trailers. He didn't lose things, but with his lack of motivation, I found I was taking money out of MY pocket just for the honor of having him work for me.

I think having one truck is just fine for now. BUT, you never know. If the right driver comes along and I feel stupid and maybe I don't want to stay married, I'll do it again. :harhar: :harhar: :harhar: NOT !!!!!

[HSLD]

I understand where you are coming from. Having been an O/O twice myself, I can relate to all of the above. The one time I had another driver in my truck it was my boyfriend. When we went our seperate ways, I had to sell the truck. Now that it looks like I will be able to get back on the road, I am scouting around.
I have always treated the truck I drove like it was my own also. To me, it WAS my truck! It was my home and if it broke I had to wait until it was fixed before I could go anywhere else.A little preventative maintenence will go a long way.
As far as your decision to add another truck, this is one you will have to make all by yourself, I'm afraid. We can all tell you what we would do, but in the long run, it's YOUR decision.

Yeah, I know how that relationships and trucks thing goes. I was looking at this nice 379 that a local O/O was selling. He was asking a fair price and the truck had low miles and was in great shape. I was even going to buy his trailer. The closer we got to completing the deal, the harder this guy got to be to deal with. Come to find out, his ex girlfriend actually held the note on the equipment and was in bankrupcy. The joker was trying to get me to pay off his ex's debt so that he could finance another truck with the lender. So, while I was trying to finish the deal, he was trying to work his other deal so that he wouldn't have any down time. Needless to say, I didn't do it.

Yeah, I know it's my decision. I just thought I'd post it and see what kind of replies I'd get to make sure I wasn't overlooking anything and help the decision making process. I like to try to cover all bases and "springboard" ideas off others. This would be major step that requires doing my homework. It's just hard knowing that I've got the loads if I want them and no way to cover it. Getting another truck and trailer is the easy part, the driver issue is the hardest part.

HSLD

[HSLD]

I found the same problems, when I had 2 trucks. I honestly got tired of being a babysitter. My last driver was a good guy. Careful with the equipment, did a good job for the companies I had the truck leased to, BUT he was not motivated. He never tore up my truck or the company's trailers. He didn't lose things, but with his lack of motivation, I found I was taking money out of MY pocket just for the honor of having him work for me.

I think having one truck is just fine for now. BUT, you never know. If the right driver comes along and I feel stupid and maybe I don't want to stay married, I'll do it again. :harhar: :harhar: :harhar: NOT !!!!!

Yep, babysitter. Same deal with me. If I had a driver that didn't tear up equipment, he had other problems like being lazy. If I had a driver that wasn't lazy, he'd tear up the equipment. Just couldn't find the right driver.

It didn't take long to find out all I was doing was paying bills and the driver was the only one making any money.

HSLD

[Hillbilly]

Well, you said it all, when you said you'd like to clone tose two older driver's. The ability of a 2 or 3 truck operator being able to make it, is at the point that it is almost impossible to do much more than break even, UNLESS, you have a little niche haul that pays ridiculously well, and you can afford to offer really great benefits. Because of the percieved instability in a real small operation, it is going to be almost impossible to draw the kind of drivers that you NEED. The driver pool that, guy's like you, drew from in the past, is now either in their own trcks now, or they are working for the companies that are big enough to offer them the benefits they want. I used to be in that pool, but now, I'm in ny own truck. If I were you, I would stick to 1 truck, and sign on another o/o, if you really need another truck. That will get the loads covered, without exposing you to the costly process of hiring and nursing along today's hired drivers.

[SUNSHINE]

NO! one truck and trailer is enought to take of. the only reason i became an owner operator is i worked for the same guy for 8 years and he was letting the truck i was driving go back to the guy he was leasing it from.i had a lapse in my sanity and listened to an ex boyfriend of mine and let him talk me into takin g over the lease. i know have 1 year and 3 months left to pay on my equip. thats right i kept the truck and fired him. i wont put anybody in my truck. its a trust thing and being female im rteal picky about different things. i have my days but i wouldnt trade being an owner operator.right now im just breaking even and paying the bills.

[Big_Al]

Reefers are problematic to begin with. Even if YOU are driving. If you add a driver, go with dry van freight. Set up the finances to motivate the driver. For example:

Pay .18 a mile for any week under 2000 miles. They'll show up for work then.

Pallets or load locks missing? Take it out of their pay. Same goes for damage to the vehicle. Make it so a good driver will do well and a slacker will starve to death. The slackers wont even take the job when they see how u set it up.

[HSLD]

Reefers are problematic to begin with. Even if YOU are driving. If you add a driver, go with dry van freight. Set up the finances to motivate the driver. For example:

Pay .18 a mile for any week under 2000 miles. They'll show up for work then.

Pallets or load locks missing? Take it out of their pay. Same goes for damage to the vehicle. Make it so a good driver will do well and a slacker will starve to death. The slackers wont even take the job when they see how u set it up.

Thanks Big Al, but I've talked myself outta this awhile back. It so much nicer having to deal with one driver (me).

I imagine I'll toy with the idea from time to time, and can only hope my senses kick in when the thought come up.

v/r

HSLD

[nitestar]

You might consider hireing a couple of semi retired persons that don't want to work all the time and can switch off with each other and keep the truck running.
Retired persons can do you a good job if you give them a chance.

[HSLD]

You might consider hireing a couple of semi retired persons that don't want to work all the time and can switch off with each other and keep the truck running.
Retired persons can do you a good job if you give them a chance.

Thanks nitestar, but I've come to my senses. I do have a retired driver that likes to do a Saturday morning Houston run for me for some extra $$$$. I actually think he likes getting away from the house (and wife) more than he really needs the $$$$$. :D

They broke the mold on this guy. He's old school driver to the max. His logs are the best I've seen. And his trip envelopes are neat, clean and have all the blocks filled out that he can fill out. He takes care of my truck as if it were his own.

v/r

HSLD