IS ANYONE HERE A INDEPENDENT STRAIGHT TRUCK OWNER OPERATOR

That is how I started 20 years ago. I did local deliveries in the Phoenix area and also statewide.

I see plenty of guys running between Phx and LA running bobtails.

 

I have a straight truck. Ain't all of what I do. Or even most of it. If I was to put a driver in it I'd follow up on a lot more work I could get with it.

Chasing ltl off a board...I would think you'd be sitting at home a whole lot looking for work that'd be worth hauling. Gotta line up some work of your own..

Pretty much need to do what guys with tractor trailers do, just with different equipment.

I've made some decent money with mine. I do things that couldn't be done with a tractor trailer tho vs ltl that'd fit on a tractor trailer.

 

Well you all just described me. 1 man 1 straight truck working off the boards (mostly them working me now that I have built relationships). I have a dock high 26' x 102" flatbed and I can scale 29k. I do sit more than I like though.....it runs 3-4 days per week and 4-5 when things are busy....but no telling when that is ever! LOL.

I do OK but if my wife was not working I would need a bigger truck or at least a sleeper on a straight truck to support the family.

 

$2200 on 156 total loaded. 2 picks 2 drops. Picks 2 miles apart. Drops 10 miles apart.

You can run all over the country. What you gonna do when you get to Florida? How bout you load that first ltl n the second one gets covered before you can book it? How long you willing to sit? What you gonna do when freight is slow?

Find a niche.

 

My niche is service. Knocking on doors. Knowing what I bring to a deal.

"No one would pay $5,500 to move a load 120 miles!"
"No one would pay $1,000 to move 6 mafia block 14 miles!"
Yeah they would. Without hesitation. Just gotta find the people who will pay it, and provide what service they need.

 

Really pick loads?

That's if you get the broker or shipper willing to use you.

I started in a straight and unless you willing to wait, it ain't worth it. You got to be able to haul some weight and have some room.

Some are successful but they hustle, like ruthless but depending on load boards is lazy in a way.