Owner operator of a large box truck or straight truck possible?

Technically, you do not need a CDL or CDL schooling for most standard Box Trucks. Straight trucks over 26,000 pounds require a Class B, but because you've stated that you want to stay small it's unlikely you'll be driving a B truck. The problem with "Box Trucking" is that virtually anyone with a valid driver's license can do it. The level of competition is going to be extremely high, even higher than it already is for A and B trucking. Companies who contract with Hot Shots generally want to see at least a Class B w/ air brakes, but preferably a Class A, and some type of OTR experience. So even if you suck it up, go to school and pay for your license, you're not likely to get very far without OTR experience. This is an extremely competitive business, don't you think it'd be smart to go the proper route and learn about it first. I guarantee you that if you attend CDL school and put in six solid months of OTR, you'll have a much better shot at successfully navigating a hot shot business. But that's just my two pennies...

 

You want to supplement your revenue up to 100k a year?

With a single truck?

Reality is a bit different.

You will need to do some competitve research and think hard about using brokers because there isn't enough good paying work out there to make it at the level you are talking about. It takes a lot of effort to build a reputation up and to learn how it works to make consistent revenue.

 

You don't have to "sacrifice profitability" to drive a smaller truck. Quit shooting yourself in the foot by thinking that way before you've even turned a key. I'm almost convinced I could probably turn better hub averages, burn less fuel, gross about the same with a straight than I am a big truck now and I do fairly well with a semi. If not the same at least come awfully close to it.

 

I agree, and depending on where the OP lives he could possibly do very well with a box truck doing expedited freight.

 

I think a $1 a mile for expedited stuff (even in a van) is selling yourself a little short.

 

$1 a mile is a going rate for cargo vans and it's ridiculous cheap no money in that at all. The problem with cargo vans there are just too many of them out here so you'll always be running for nothing in one. The startup costs are practically nothing and everyone and their brother thinks they can do it. The ones who pull $1.30 a mile or better in a cargo van are few and far between likely they are focused entirely on running that van, not concerned with other different business distractions. Straights or semi is where it's at but again you better specialize cause the competitive pressure is always there. Keep in mind that $1 a mile probably drops to 65-70 cpm if you're lucky with deadhead factored in.....