Power Only start up?

If you need to ask the 3rd question you are not ready to be an o/o...
Not because you haven't been told, but because you haven't run your own numbers to find that answer.

As for one and two, you're best bet is to go somewhere like Landstar or Dart and let them help you get set up. Use them until you know how to be an o/o, and then make the jump.

 

I know a fellow that did this back about 25 years ago. He just went to a bunch of local LTL carriers and offered his service for an hourly rate, mostly in town and a little out, but still home every night. He did pretty good at it.

 

You're going to need trailer interchange or non-owned trailer insurance. The amount will vary depending on whose trailers you're pulling.

I've been getting emails from Syfan Logistics for power only, but they're running too far east for us right now.

You can try load out trailers, which are empty trailers you pick up and fill with your own loads you book, but must have the trailer cleaned out at its final destination by a certain time.

You can sign on with a mega carrier brokerage, but they typically don't pay very well. You're competing with their cheap drivers and discounts. I've heard Prime has a decent power only program from people on here.

We did power only at first, but it made more sense for us to rent a trailer.

 

England Logistics in the Az area offer power only . They send me a list of power only loads all the time . They are a brokerage that I run loads for in that area , typically back to Tx .

 

I can tell you have your mind set on this. So, instead of trying to talk you out of it, I'll try to help you accelerate your learning curve on the path to success. Only because you're a fellow vet. I actually started my company as power only. I did the same approach: save up and buy a trailer. It was not easy, but it can be done. Try a variety of load-out trailers to find your niche, then settle into it. You'll gain a ton of experience quickly trying to match the load to the trailer's destination. Once you have your own trailer, you'll enjoy not having to book two loads for every trip. Use me as a resource. When you're ready to rent a trailer, pm me for a referral. I know a guy...

I also have another great contact for power only loads I might share with you.

Good luck in your endeavor.

 

Make sure you've got the storage space and money for equipment if you go flatbed. I'm not sure how much your insurance would go up if you hauled hazmat, but those power only loads tend to pay a lot more. They're not as common, though. Get all of your endorsements if you haven't yet.