There's no shame parking it and going company driver. Do whats best for you financially.

i been a owner op for almost 3 years. 1st year is always the hardest... you just started, dont give up so soon!

@kennethjohnson347

6 ай бұрын

no he's right on it's very unaffordable to be an owner op

@richards.meekins5576

6 ай бұрын

Hey, I just found your channel, you are a smart person. You did not fail. You made a financial decision for you. Don't worry about what people think. They don't live your life, you do. Don't get rid of the truck. Go company if you need to and build your funds up. Stay positive. You'll be fine. Nice channel.

@petergreene9312

6 ай бұрын

@@kennethjohnson347 What's stopping them from just selling you a bad truck?

@matusala8322

6 ай бұрын

@richards.meekins5576 hope is not a business strategy. If numbers don’t make sense it’s better to cut your losses and walk away.

@richards.meekins5576

6 ай бұрын

​@@matusala8322 You answered the wrong Richard!

I never understood the O/O I don't drive anymore, but when I did I never had the urge. I always drove local. Made 25ish bucks a hour. Slept in my own bed every night with my wife, never missed any events with my kids. That O/O stuff is rough and not worth the stress. Just my opinion.

@HomeOverTheRoad

6 ай бұрын

We love the road...my wife and I. We love the kitchen and shower in our 136in sleeper. We love riding the Harley we carry behind the sleeper all over the country ...and the money doesn't hurt.😊

@TruckingandLife

6 ай бұрын

You did it GOOD and didn't lose your family to the ROAD. You Kept the MAIN THING the MAIN THING!!!

Brother don't give up i failed many times but still grinding be patient i am flat bed local i am loving it it's hard to find a good company that is honest good luck 👍

@fisherman805lopez76

6 ай бұрын

You are so right it's really hard to find a company who is honest and helps their drivers especially during hard times. They don't care seems to be a doggy dog world .

Just wanted to say that I personally learned a ton of great information about the trucking industry from watching and subscribing to your channel, you motivated and inspired me to start my career with Swift and to post my own trucking journey on youtube and I know others have been inspired by you too. I wish i would have got into trucking when i was your age keep betting and taking a chance on yourself, you did not fail at being an entrepreneur or owner operator im only 6 months in but trucking is like the stock market and you will come out on top. I looking forward to seeing what you do next

Before you get rid of your truck Think about Leasing on to a Big Carrier I know the freedom is good being Solo but at times like now this is why I lease on to a Bigger Carrier because the repairs and the loads it’s hard out here right now but don’t give up your truck I made that mistake years ago and I will never get rid of my truck again 🫡🍻🚛💨💨

You definitely did not fail you are motivating and inspiring, keep going hard and you will achieve what you’re setting yourself up for. I learned a lot of great information from you and i know others have too.

I been a owner operator for 18years and it's been tough this year for everyone

@ricktrucker10-47

6 ай бұрын

U don’t do spot do u .

@truckersforchrist3430

6 ай бұрын

@@ricktrucker10-47 uh

You did a good thing. You tried at something that intrigued you and you gave it time and then reevaluated it and now have changed your mind. It's not failure. You are young. Keep growing them thar wings❤

Don’t give up young brother trust me all o/o felt the pressure this year I wanted to quit over a 1,000 times this year but I gets better with time trust the process and keep your faith and confidence up

Sorry to hear, but I have been an o/o for 20+ years and I am still enjoying it. It is all about the numbers. Good luck with your search.

i love the honesty bro, you should thug it out. it takes time to build your networks bro. it will payoff in the long run bro

My first year was great. My second year was OK and this year I feel the same way you do. I decided I’m gonna keep pushing, it might just be a bad wave. Im hooping it passes soon. there’s no shame in parking the truck that’s for sure. Things don’t get better. I’m setting my pride aside.

Shit bro…. I’m doing the same next week man! No shame bro keep your head up man

You are not the only one bro, hold on, until march 2024, things are about to change. Or work under someone authority, I have second thoughts a lot about quitting, but have patience. Things will change god bless you

@klajdikaca1991

6 ай бұрын

Whats new on march 2024?

@goodymob9638

6 ай бұрын

​@@klajdikaca1991The market is going to be closer to balancing out.

@ussenterp65

6 ай бұрын

​@@goodymob9638unlikely

@bw496

2 ай бұрын

@@goodymob9638 its now May 2024 and its worse now then ever

Freedom is the way. Young man I have never seen your videos. This is the first one i see. As someone who was a owner operator for 7 years then had to go back to company for 8 months and back to owner operator. Trust me, fight for your freedom. It is worth every single minute of it. My truck blew up... so i was forced to get back to company. May not be profitable right now but the time will come and you better be well established as a owner operator is all about the relationships and how good of a sales man you are. Spot market is difficult right now try establishing some shipper relations. Rates may not be so different but when you have a contract then you can talk about growth. In the spot market this is very hard to accomplish.

I commend you on having the courage to implement you dreams and business. Most people don’t follow through with their dreams, so kudos to you. Life is meant to be challenging so that we can learn to adapt and develop our “figure it out-ability.” I’m looking forward to the next chapter in your life. Best wishes with all of your future endeavors. Safe Travels.

I feel you bro. It is the toughest time ever.

I'm getting 3/4 dollars a mile running reefer bro. We're looking to add trucks to the fleet if you wanna join us. Just pay your part of insurance, fuel, maintenance and dispatch fee and everything else is yours

@charlesxavier3489

6 ай бұрын

You still looking for o/o's bro !

@jayjay8430

6 ай бұрын

That's good looking out! It's always good to see someone being supportive in a situation like this.:)💯

You are doing what is best for you man.

Bro this is my first time seeing....when first starting my business as a owner operator hotshot driver after driving semi truck for 9 years as a company driver....i realized i had too pivot from a bad business model and change it up.......been were you are now......first thing ima ask is your equipment paid for......if not how much are your monthly payments...truck?trailer? What state do you live in......what region are you running...ect ect.....this matters 100% in trucking business......yes you have to work hard but smart......what your operating cost?....i cant really give any advice with knowing the details......but what i will say is quitting/pivoting is not the same as failing bro......

Bro I just gave back my dump truck to the banking company yesterday. I’m based out of South Florida. I been in business for 2 years. I literally put out a short video on my page of me getting out the trucking game. Very hurtful but same time a decision had to be made for. The right reasons. I wish you the best. As long as your cell is clean w good experience you’re good. Stay blessed my youth ✌🏾

The point is not you failed, the point is the current market and conditions aren’t conducive for an owner operator to be successful. I left the industry 4 months ago because I was done operating at a loss nearly entirely 2023. I accepted a 6 figure logistics manager job which has me legit making my 6 figures, full benefits, home nightly and relatively stress free living now that I’m able to work on resetting my financial situation for myself and my family.

You right bro never listen to people who never tried to better themselves because everyones dreams or different.

You just started. It’s a business . Being a business owner is not for everyone. Any business you start the first two years is a struggle. If you can’t understand that then working for someone is the best for you. A half a year and ready to quit.😂😂😂 patience is the key to trucking.

Those lease trucks whipping yall ass 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 give uncle Charlie back his truck

Stay owner operator. I’m coming in the game soon but I’m not rushing. Making sure I got a cushion before i start up. Hope u bounce back fam

O/O man. Just pick up the loads that work for you!

@bw496

2 ай бұрын

not that simple anymore. the load bidding war is ferocious. lots of skinny truckers out there man

Smart man knows his numbers and fixes things before it’s too late and your financially ruined.

Wise WORDS reset, regroup and stay on Course to your GOALS.

Hey man, I need some advice. I’m in school at swift right now and I want to do flatbed but should I wait and do dry van or refrigerated and then go flatbed or do flat bed out the door? Also any advice for someone just starting out their career?

6months o/o, u should be able to take 2 months off for the slow months an get back to it in the spring, lease on intermodal jus to stretch ur down time.. or lease on with a flatbed division out of the ports in ur area ..

My biggest gripe with being an O/O was dealing with the scamming mechanics and brokers, and also the fuel cost. Other than that I enjoyed being an O/o but the hustle wasn’t worth it at the end of the day. Anyway, I sold my equipment and I feel so free and happy now. Do what’s best for you. Don’t feel guilty about walking away. Rather you’re a company driver or O/O, you’re still winning at the end of the day.

Good decision for now. Rates are rock bottom, especially with Dry Van. It's been an unusually long 20 month bear market. Ive been 10 years an owner operator but never seen such a bad market for this long.

are you driving everywhere or just in a certain area? would you consider going lease instead of company driver? its kinda inbetween company and OO.

Thug it out. Things change, nothing stays the same so give a MORE of a chance. Freedom is just what it is. Network with other owner operators, do more of a in depth research on who's paying what and how to hookup. In the end you gotta do what you truly feel, but give it YOUR ALL RIGHT NOW so you won't have regrets.

You didn’t fail at anything brother, you just trying out and that’s with anything.

Don't know where you're from but try Wagner Transportation. I think the company is out of Wisconsin. I talked to 1 of O/O once he was doing pretty good. Don't give up bruh lease yo truck on. Things are rough right now especially flatbed/stepdeck. Winter months are always horrible. But this year has been slower than ever. Keep yo head up and do whatever is best for you at the end of the day.

Hold up, isn't owner op just a first step to the next step? Successful carriers have their own customers! There's gotta be a path to success!

You should’ve never gave up, I would’ve never let that drive out of me .

I’m currently going through school but with all this uncertainty I don’t know what to do with the CDL yet

It’s so many ol heads coming to my company after parking their trucks, they been in it 20+ years. Something ain’t right out there …keep going though you’ll find your way.

It’s been a very rough year & no telling when rates will get better

Thug out but I’ll recommend switching niches tanker, hopper, reefer,

Is ok to go back to the drawing board my guy…… regroup and if it’s meant you’ll come back and do better than the last time…. No worries small thing to a giant big dawg…… good video keep them coming

Trucking goes thru this every 10 years... to much equipment for the down turn in freight. It's a weeding out of companies that are bout broke anyway just dnt know it. You can always go buy another truck when things turn around. Dnt let that truck drag you into bankruptcy court... You'll be fine. Good head on your shoulders. You'll make it .

I don't get it. I make less then $1.75/mile, pay $5.50/gallon and average 2250 miles per week and im still taking home decent money. WTF are peolle doing to not make it work? If ANYBODY thinks they'll become a broker and make $500,000+ a year net, you need a reality check. Yes rates use to be better but nobody every made that kind of money. I know 1 of biggest issues with O/O but the rest, I have no clue

Feel for you❤

If your independent go find customers and get the full rate! If your actually O\O find a company to attach to that has the work for you. Many people get the terms wrong and it’s hard to tell your situation, this is first video I’ve seen of yours. Fuel isn’t that bad! I just bought fuel at 3.22, I don’t see how that’s draining folks

I’m leased to Mercer doing ok! With what you said about rates you must of been running the spot market that’s definitely not a good idea

do what's best for you man and glad also are you go back to swift?

@NellWorld

6 ай бұрын

Thanks man, and I’ve been thinking about it

Crazy how dry van have horrible rate o admit trucking tough right now but been o/o for 7 years next did a load under 2.40 a mile

This time of year is always slow. Do you have a tanker endorsement? Try that until spring and go back to flatbed.

@charlesgriffin2002

6 ай бұрын

Or try the dedicated route.

@NellWorld

6 ай бұрын

Yeah I just got my tanker endorsement a couple of weeks ago

are you working with a carrier or are you just a spot market driver?

Don’t give up! I can help with better paying loads. Stick with owner op.

You making a smart move n9 need to be out there if you not making a profit. Who wants to just survive 👍👍👍💯

Buy brand new truck ,buy brand new refer trailer and make four $10k loads a month from Cali to Miami

Do what you need to do!!

Buddy if you send Lowe's does not paying you at least $3 a mile it's because you looking at tql and those b******* load boards you got to find some Brokers man that are paying the money

Before giving up, check out Sturgill Trucking llc youtube channel. He does videos about how to survive being an O/O or lease purchase.. hang in there & weigh out your options. Good luck

I think you should take you truck to swift an be an o/o with them under their Authority that way you can still take the hometime you want.

Go company it’s too rough right now, I’ve been running as an owner operator almost 4 yrs and the overhead and cheap freight is just too much

Aye do what’s best for you bro

I started as an Owner Operator in May, and I have very little to show for the hard running for 2.5 months at a time, with 1 to 3 days off, because of break downs. I'm over 60k in repairs since getting the truck May 26 of this year. I have a no turn in lease purchase from Lone Mountain, so I'm stuck in it for 3.5 years. I made more money as a company driver operating on a 1099 tax form.

@nikoparra9768

6 ай бұрын

Did you get one of those central Oregon trucks from them ? Sorry to hear about this man hope the best for ya

Bro 2500 dollars is nothing you have to be patience

If freedom wasn’t the main reason you got into it then I would say yes give it up. It’s December (the slow season) on top of it being a down market. Guaranteed y’all be back as an owner op later if money is all your seeing.

I been owner operator for 8 years I did good but now it’s too much estrés and no money i left too I’m looking to be a company driver….

U GAVE UP

😮😮

My man!!! Where do you live?

I thought flat bed was paying 3 -4 $ a mile

sometimes we have to let go... Before we get to depression

Holl to you young man I was just looking on you tube and I see your message said that you failed I had my owner truck it was back in the 80 up to the 90 I made good money I was making 10 000 a week I am retired I see that word you said you failed no you don't young man I am proud of you you try it and it didn't work ok go and try something else another way I had something went wrong and I got all upset and said some word that is Nome the thing I would do is go with a company because the way things are going now you would be better off with them until things get back better I just chat with a man and his wife to give up on the road if you can make money with your truck it's time to sale it go to the next thing Best for you I know you are going to make because God bless you with that he will bless you ever more keep that in your mind I will stop now don't give up the is with you young man and you and your family have a happy New Year love and peace ch ch

Local tanker company driver is best good money not worried about anything just park truck and go home.

I don't understand why owner-operators are quitting. From my understanding, a true owner-operator can still net $3500-$4000 a week. Are you a lease driver? Are you with a company? Because, let me give you my numbers. If I gross $10,000, my fuel is about $2,000. My percentage is about $2,000. My truck-trailer insurance is like $2500. You know? So, it's a lot coming out on my end because I'm a lease driver. And I'm still holding on. But I'm seeing a lot of owner-operators folding. If I was an owner-op, my truck, my trailer, my plates, my name, I could retire doing this in this market.

I’ve been an op for 12 years…. It gets easier…IF u really dig in…. I learned the truck. I’m my on maintenance guy……I’m my own tire guy…… but when I hear there no money out there , that’s not true…….im still killing it

When you start complaining about tarping as a flat bed driver you know it's time to take a break. People have to stop glorifying owner op because it's rough if you don't plan for big breakdown bills. Anything less than 2k is a cause for celebration.

Regroup re fuel and try again later in better times or if you find a good contact

Fraley and shilling is a good company flat bed too

I think you should stick with being a owner op if you have to hire an accountant

Now the best think to do is quit as o/op look for waste management they start 30.oo an hour and your home every day. everything is spensive now tolls fuel ins. Reg. Parking, maintenance and taxes at the end of the year , the big companies are trying to take o/o out of business

If you haven’t already sold the truck look into Oakley trucking it’s like working as a company driver with your own truck home every weekend if you want to be . You’ll put 3500+ in the bank every week ✅✅✅

Hey man, it took a lot of balls to make this video. If you truly want to do o/o you can reassess your business and come back 10x's harder. Where did you find yourself struggling the most with? Was it not finding significant number of loads, knowing your cost per mile or just too much fixed costs?

@NellWorld

6 ай бұрын

It was hard finding loads that were worth taking because they weren’t paying good enough for me to be profitable.

What im getting is that you can be a "owner operator" and don't actually own the truck.

You doing flatbed and you not making money? I been doing flatbed never once picked up load less than 2.40

Picks up on spring

He’s smart, most push till they’re completely broken. These zombie co’s think they will make it thru this but a lot will not. They are driving rates down just trying to “survive”… if it don’t make dollars it don’t make sense..

Good luck to you, I’ll I can say is there’s money to be made here especially for a flat bed, you just gonna know what you doing that’s all.

Thug out and try reefer or dry van into flatbed game pick back up.

@jayjay8430

6 ай бұрын

Facts. Starting as a Flat Bed Driver seems like the path with the most resistance. I would switch to Reefer or Dry Van to get restarted!

Be O/O you do get a lot of Freedom but if you take to many day off and ect thats how u end up in the hole

@thorntonwhite3813

6 ай бұрын

True indeed

It's your first yr even if it was booming right now you still be struggling for you first year! Once you get pass that and your mc# become available too work with all brokers that when you money start rollin in. Been out here for 15yrs can't quite at the first hurdle you come across!! Ppl out here still making money

Go with a union company pay hourly. People don't calculate all the benefits of company driver hourly. Sick pay vacation pay pension etc. Who cares you have to listen to something. You still have to listen as owner operators to your wallet meaning you still need to work. There is no shortcut to it. The problem with owner ops is there is no barrier of entry for anyone with 2 years experience to become owner ops. You can give any company driver 2 years they can become owner op too...making profit is another problem.

Isn't only u, after 4 years im out my lost load will be 12.29.2023 as owner operator.

Smart move is when you know when to get out of the business.

It's better to be a company driver just drive and don't worry about gas and maintenance bills let the bosses pay all bills

Why don’t you lease on with another company that has dedicated freight?

@NellWorld

6 ай бұрын

Haven’t found any good companies to lease on to

@facefromda704

6 ай бұрын

Any companies to lease on to with a dry van. I'm based out of Charlotte NC.

@jeffreycairns767

6 ай бұрын

​@NellWorld Try Scotlynn Commodities. They have a newer terminal out of Florida but you can reside anywhere. 2023 Pete 389, KW W990 and 2024 Peterbilt 579 available. Its mostly reefer work but still

You didn’t fail! Take your tractor and lease with JB Hunt , Land star or Shenidar, and pull a dry van for any of them. I always wonder why folks stress over flatbed trucking with all the stress to chain, tarp and strap in the winter, in the rain, snow and sun! , with all the risk of items flying off ur trailer and causing an accident, stopping every 50 to 100 miles to re secure loads, that stressful!! I drive for a mega carrier as an owner operator in the reefer division, the money is not bad, u can make more with your tractor leased out to any of the major carriers, they have the freight . Also u will have ur freedom to go home, choose your own loads etc , it’s better than been a full company driver! Good Luck!!

@alvarofelipe8164

3 ай бұрын

You're delusional. There’s no money to be made as an owner operator leased to one of the big companies. I worked up until last month with JB Hunt and never cleared more than $ 2,000 a week. Thank goodness never had trouble with my truck or I would've had to sell a kidney.

What about the oil fields?

What city are you in. I might can find you a local job

Market bad wrong time . Try again when market picks up.