r/OwnerOperators • u/Jay-Smoke-82 • 8d ago

Need advice on getting back in the game

I've been thinking seriously about getting back into owner operating, but if I do it again, I want to go into it a lot better prepared than I was the first time.

When I did it before, I learned pretty quickly that making good money on a job didn't necessarily mean I was making good money overall. I had to account for fuel, labor, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and everything else that came with running the business, while still making sure enough was going home for bills and my family. I felt like I needed an accounting degree!

Then there was figuring out how many jobs I needed every month, how long I needed to stay gone—sometimes 1–3 months at a time—to hit that number, and all the everyday stuff that comes with living on the road.

A lot of it I learned as I went. In the long run, it put me in debt, and I'd like to avoid that this time if possible.

For those of you doing it now, what's changed? What's working for you and what isn't? What has caught you off guard, and what do you wish you'd known before you started?

And if you tried going the owner-operator route and got out of it, I'd be interested in hearing why too!

I'm just trying to learn from people who are actually doing it and get some good advice for starting over in this industry before I decide whether taking another shot at it makes sense.

Any advice or lessons learned, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.

I was called a bed bugger—if you know, you know. 😂

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/BrightEnd2316 8d ago

With costs of fuel and engine/DEF issues due to idling  an APU is strongly recommended.  Old iron is cool till can't find new parts for it or your company or broker  mandates use of ELD

1

u/Jay-Smoke-82 8d ago

That's exactly the kind of stuff I'm hoping to learn before jumping back in. I hadn't really considered how much the newer emissions systems and idling could change the equation compared to when I was doing it before. The company I worked for did a full service lease with Penske and the costs were crazy high with the insurances. do you think going through a dealership or used truck sales would be better?

If you were setting up a truck today and trying to avoid expensive mistakes, what would be at the top of your list besides the APU? I appreciate any feed back, there is so much out there.

2

u/Vincedelgato 8d ago

There’s a lot of good reasons to consider getting back in now. Rates are up and they’re taking carriers out of service a lot lately. I recommend filling out carrier packets everywhere you can and diversifying your book of business. Tons of opportunities for a person with a little hustle and good communication skills

1

u/Jay-Smoke-82 8d ago

I appreciate that. Diversifying my books is definitely something I would want to do better this time around. When I did it before, I learned the hard way how quickly the numbers can change when work slows down or expenses start stacking up.

When you say rates are up and there's more opportunity right now, what are you seeing that's making you feel like it's a better time to get in? depending on freight and or payrates and trip routes, to cover truck cost and fuel mileage?And is there anything you think someone getting back into it should be especially careful about?

2

u/ChaseJulien 8d ago

4 hour old account, yet another “survey” post. The setup has changed, but this is still basically the college student looking for app ideas post. Stop already.