What You Need to Know About Being an Independent Trucker
Working as an independent trucker was the most profitable job I’ve ever had because there were no load brokers or middlemen to take a cut. Being an independent is not easy, and it’s much more difficult than it used to be, but most truckers believe it’s worth the risks.
Can Be Lucrative
Independent truckers are often responsible for all paperwork involved in running a business, with no middleman to take a cut of the profits, nor dispatchers or management to deal with. If you find a nice niche market, you can make some serious money as an independent trucker.
Cash Flow
It’s a good idea to have a minimum operating line of credit of $25,000 because if you’re running over the road and one customer hasn’t paid on time, it can be enough to cause some damage.
Budget for Maintenance
Prepare for a large repair bill by setting aside a repair cash account for the unexpected. Preventative maintenance is essential. Mechanical surprises are costly, so be prepared for a large repair bill at some point.
Try to Snag Freight Overflow
Big trucks frequently have excess freight, which they contract out to smaller carriers or independents, who usually take a small cut of the profits in exchange for keeping the independent busy during slow times.
Know Your Operating Costs
Although the cost of a load may seem appealing, it’s critical to work the numbers to ensure you’re making money on the deal. Read our guide on how to Calculate Operating Cost Per Mile for more information.
Get Paid on Time
Slow accounts receivable can be devastating to a one-truck operation; it doesn’t take long to fall behind, and if you’re not careful, you can get quite far behind. Make sure you’re collecting your money as soon as possible.
There’s ALWAYS Someone Else Who Will Undercut You!
When you first start out, try to work out a reasonable agreement and schedule with your customer to see how low you can go and still make a profit. Don’t be surprised if your customer decides to drop you and seek out a larger carrier.
Avoid Verbal Agreements
From a legal standpoint, a written contract is much more solid, whereas a verbal agreement may or may not hold up if there are legal issues. As a precaution, avoid verbal contracts with customers and instead opt for a pre-arranged email or phone call.
Avoid Load Brokers
Load brokers are notorious for lying about the percentage of a load they take as a cut. No one can afford to lose a large percentage of a load to a load broker. There are good load brokers out there; just be careful who you choose to load for.
Setting Your Schedule
When customers are closed for holidays or slow business, the independent may find himself without work; if the customer’s patterns are predictable, the independent may follow suit and take time off at the same time; this is a time when taking overflow from another carrier may be a good solution.
Launching a Lawsuit To Collect Accounts Receivable May Happen
Because hiring a lawyer can be costly, run a credit check on your customer before doing business with them and at regular intervals throughout your working relationship.
What is the Difference Between an Owner Operator and Independent Trucker Contractor?
Independent is the same as an owner operator in that he has his own operating authority, insurance, permits, and arranges his own loads and solicits customers. Owner operator is typically contracted to a single trucking company, which owns the trailers, arranges for freight, and provides insurance and permits.
How to Become an Independent Owner Operator
There are still markets out there that want the personalized service that only an independent trucker can provide; it’s best if you have a niche market that you believe is profitable, and you must be able and willing to serve this customer well.
The Basics (To Get Started)
Make sure you can afford the responsibility of starting your own business by getting your finances in order, paying off any debt, and having a cushion in case any of your routes don’t work out. Buy your own truck and trailer, and be ready to hustle for new loads.
Do I Recommend Being an Independent Trucker?
If you’re ready to take the next step, it can be a very lucrative step if you’re careful and do it well. Independent truckers are more scarce than ever before, but it’s still possible. There are still niche markets for independent truckers.
Do semi truck drivers own their trucks?
Owner-operators (also known as O/Os or “doublestuffs”) are self-employed independent contractors who own the trucks they drive. They can either lease their trucks by contracting with a trucking company to haul freight for that company using their own trucks, or they can haul loads for a number of companies.
How much do big rig truck drivers make?
While annual salaries for Big Rig Truck Drivers range from $37,500 (25th percentile) to $73,000 (75th percentile) on ZipRecruiter, the majority of Big Rig Truck Driver salaries currently range from $37,500 (25th percentile) to $73,000 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making $97,000 annually across the United States.
Why do truck drivers get paid so little?
Low wages. While the cost of living has risen dramatically, wages have not kept pace, and in some trucking companies, wages are so low that it’s no longer worth the sacrifices drivers make for the job. It’s worth noting that this trend began with deregulation.
Is 50 too old to become a truck driver?
If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver at 50, you’re not alone. The trucking industry doesn’t have an upper age limit, but it does have a minimum age of 18 (or 21 for interstate driving), so consider your age as experience.
What is the highest paying truck driver job?
Here are nine of the highest-paying trucking jobs to think about.
- Ice road trucking.
- Hazmat transport.
- Tanker transport.
- Oversized load transport.
- Luxury car transport.
- Team driving.
- Owner-operator jobs.
- Private fleets.
Is owning a trucking company profitable?
According to Cargo Transport Alliance, the average weekly gross per truck is between $4,000 and $10,000; an owner-operator who owns a company and manages operations can earn $2,000 to $5,000 per week; and an investor can make $500 to $2,000 per truck per week.
Is it worth being an owner operator truck driver?
Owner operators typically earn higher per-mile rates, or a percent-of-load rate, than company drivers, but they must also pay all of the expenses associated with operating a truck and business. With hard work and discipline, you may be able to earn more money as an owner operator vs.
What is the richest trucking company?
Fedex Freight, a less-than-truckload shipping company and a subset of the Fedex Corporation, an American company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, is our first entry on this list and the grand prize winner of largest trucking company.
What is the oldest trucking company still in business?
What is now the Jones Motoring Group began in 1894 when John Jones, an immigrant from Wales, expanded his horse and cart fleet until purchasing the company’s first truck in 1912.
Can Truck drivers make 100k?
Yes, truck drivers can earn $100,000 or more per year. Drivers who transition from company drivers to owner-operators frequently earn more than six figures annually.
Is buying an 18 wheeler a good investment?
Buying an 18-wheeler, like any large purchase, can be a good investment if you do your homework ahead of time to ensure you’re making the best financial decision for your company.