2 one year leases done. Going company for awhile

Finishing my 2nd lease this week. Due to current events, I’m gonna step down for awhile and see how it all plays out.

It’s been good with them leasing. I’ve made it to class 2. Have to take some test first. It could easily be done sooner, but I’m in no hurry. As I’ve said before, I’m not doing a cheap O/D load just to move up. Got approved for NUKES and engines. Haven’t done any yet.

Averaging more than company, but stayed out a lot. But would take a week or more at home every 2 months on average. It gets predictable with their main contract freight. Many preloads that make it quick and easy. Never really go anywhere with a line or many trucks. Usually alone. But occasionally there are a few drivers going to the same place. But delays haven’t been too bad in those cases.

I still believe the O/O`s get the better loads over company. Based on the variable weekly costs, it’s more beneficial to get O/O`s the miles.

That’s the only thing that bothers me is the miles sometimes. I could make a killing running 5 shortys in the S.E like equipment, but I always end up with a long load It’s like they’re trying to get as much variable costs based on mileage as they can. And I get it. But I could run out of Bogart, GA all week and make a killing.

It’s still one of the better lease only programs that I know of from a large carrier. It’s fair to both parties. Just work and be open to weird places, and you’ll do good.

Always use their shop for work. Labor is 1/3 of any other shop/dealer. A $1000 bill at Peterbilt will be 300 or less at their shop.

 

Used trucks can be from 400-500 a week. My last was a new 2020 for 625 a week. Fixed expenses like insurance included and truck payment was about 875 a week. Variable costs was roughly 2-300 a week. I usually divided my miles by 4.4 and got about my variable costs. About $450 for 2k miles. I tried to stay below that I don’t have exact variables with me. But it’s maintainence/service/tires/brakes/etc. each a different cost per mile

That fund is like a company slush that everyone uses. I have yet to have tires replaced on tractor or brake work

 

I didn’t update a lot. I was working not killing myself really. Just staying out a lot. I never had to wait for a load. Turned some down, but always got something by days end. Sometimes it was better, sometimes not.

I’ll miss not having a choice really. But I’ll make another move soon. Most likely with them, but in my own truck. I don’t know all the details of their truck purchase program, but anyone can always do better getting a truck on their own.
and then lease with them most likely