Thinking of buying a truck. Need advice!

[truckerwannabe]

I've come to the realization that I've chosen the wrong career path. I want to own my own business and be my own boss. My grandfather was in the trucking business for over 40 years, so I know a little about how things work.

I do have a few questions:

I don't have a CDL liscense. What all do I have to do to get one?

I have a family that I would like to spend time with. Can I make any money by making shorter runs and being at home more?

I'm trying to figure what all cost would be involved. I know fuel prices are through the roof. What kind of trucks are getting the best mileage now? My grandfather always owned Peterbilts. Anyone know what the new 387's get per mile?

And last but not least. What kind of pay per mile are owner operators getting now?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance.

[SevenOfNine]

Originally Posted by truckerwannabe

I don't have a CDL liscense. What all do I have to do to get one?
I suggest checking with your local community college to see if they have truck driving courses ,or check for a trucking school near you Trucking Schools


I have a family that I would like to spend time with. Can I make any money by making shorter runs and being at home more?
OTR can be a long process with a family. Have you given any thought to expediter trucking?

I'm trying to figure what all cost would be involved. I know fuel prices are through the roof. What kind of trucks are getting the best mileage now? My grandfather always owned Peterbilts. Anyone know what the new 387's get per mile?
Someone else might have a better idea on how to answer this one then me.

And last but not least. What kind of pay per mile are owner operators getting now?
Pay varies depending on who what company you lease your truck on with. Thats a process you will need to consider very carefully and throughly when the time comes

Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Truckingboards!

Keep an eye on this thread you will get all kinds of answers. Remember to take what is said with a grain of salt and most of all come back and let us know how you are doing.

[truckerwannabe]

Thanks SevenOfNine. Any advice is welcome info.

[stldude44]

Truckerwannabe,
It's not the tractor brand that determines fuel mileage but the engine and the rear end gear. This is a rough time to be an owner-operator with the cost of everything being so high.

You'll have to go to school to get your CDL. After that you might want to work a year or so for someone else and then decide if you want to buy a tractor or not. In a year's time you'll see if you really want to do this or not. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[truckerwannabe]

stldude44,

I know the brand doesn't determine the mileage. I guess I was trying to say that I'm partial to Peterbilts, because I grew up riding in them. I see a lot of Volvo's on the road and have heard lots of good things about them.

My question should have read: Are any brands getting better mileage than others?

I'm trying to get some numbers to look at.
Can anyone tell me what kind of mileage you're getting pulling a 53' refer trailer?

Thanks

[truckerwannabe]

I would also like to know how much pay to expect. Can anyone give me a ballpark range on what pay per mile owner operators are getting? I'm trying to see if I can make the numbers work.