How much can a driver expect to make?

[mrbean4u]

Newbie here ,thinking seriously of getting cdl but have a few questions.
What would a driver expect to make leasing a truck per week?
Is it better to drive someone elses truck?
How much for a set of tires and how many miles can you expect to get out of them ?
How much fuel per week and what about the surcharge on fuel?
thanks in advance

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by mrbean4u

Newbie here ,thinking seriously of getting cdl but have a few questions.
What would a driver expect to make leasing a truck per week?
Is it better to drive someone elses truck?
How much for a set of tires and how many miles can you expect to get out of them ?
How much fuel per week and what about the surcharge on fuel?
thanks in advance

I would never suggest a person invest in a truck that has not driven for a couple of years. Drive for someone first! Stevens, CRST and many other longhaul truckload companies will train you if you agree to work for them for a year. This will give you a real taste of life on the road and give you insignt to other companies that may be worth checking out.

Your first year you will earn from $30K to $45K depending on how many miles you can get and how quick you can get one load off and the nest load on. Do not drive a truck on a lease agreement. Drive for someone first.

[pcuthbert]

I agree with jme.

If you do decide to enter the industry, driving for someone else will give you the opportunity to see what actual expenses are.

Keep a record of everything, including fuel, oil, tires, insurance, tags, repairs and anything else you spend.

Keep track of your miles travelled, and what the revenue miles are (those that earn income for the truck).

With this information, you can get a general sense of what the actual costs of owning a truck are.

Put away (in your mind) $.20 for major repairs, which will include the complete drive train at least once during your ownership.

Decide what type of trucking you want to do. OTR, LTL, P&D. Van, tanker, flat deck, special commodities. Each has a different pay schedule, and each has a different return to the driver and owner.

All in all, get as much information as you can before you get involved with owning your own truck.

remember that if you spend time wrenching on your truck, you must record that time as on duty/ not driving, and that will cut into your revenue. Will that be less costly than having someone else do the work for you?

[hillbilly frog]

Originally Posted by pcuthbert

remember that if you spend time wrenching on your truck, you must record that time as on duty/ not driving, and that will cut into your revenue. Will that be less costly than having someone else do the work for you?

Like anybody does!

[tramp1155]

I spent many many hours working on my truck when I was an owner and I don't recollect any line 4.. But then as the owner I donated my time amongst other things

[mrbean4u]

Originally Posted by jme01

I would never suggest a person invest in a truck that has not driven for a couple of years. Drive for someone first! Stevens, CRST and many other longhaul truckload companies will train you if you agree to work for them for a year. This will give you a real taste of life on the road and give you insignt to other companies that may be worth checking out.

Your first year you will earn from $30K to $45K depending on how many miles you can get and how quick you can get one load off and the nest load on. Do not drive a truck on a lease agreement. Drive for someone first.

When you say depending on how fast you can get one load off and the next load on,are you talking about waiting for a load to haul?I have no idea how things work in the trucking industry so be patient with me,but you would think that they could have a load ready to go for you when you get there or at least one close by.
And say after 2 years of otr what would be a reasonable amount per year income.Just trying to get an idea of the long term to see if its worth it for me.One company claims the average income is $3500 per week solo,knowing there are a ton of hidden expenses, what is the real world income expected. Again thanks