2007-11-16 01:19:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
That depends if you can handle being gone from home for several weeks at a time. Can plan a route over 3,4,6 states, and make the delivery on time. If you can land a regional job you will be home weekly. You need some discipline, nobody is hovering over your shoulder to make sure you are doing your job right. You have a lot of freedom once you pick up the load. You need discipline to manage your money. There is no shortage of ways to spend your money while out. High dollar c.b's, cherry masters and other video games, expensive truck stop restaurants for 3 meals a day. You must allow for the ignorance and lack of concern for your size, stopping ability and blind spots, exhibited by 4 wheelers. You need to be able to operate that truck through mountains, plains, rain, snow, winds(that can make you suck the seat right up your back side), heavy traffic, narrow lanes in construction, and still factor all this into your trip planning to deliver on time. Sometimes the weather is bad enough that you will have an excuse to get the delivery appt. changed.
You have to be familiar with the federal laws, and basic knowledge of state and local laws governing cmv's in at most 48 states. If you have to haul into Canada, there is a whole new set of regs. You have to be able to make the times on your pick up and delivery papers, toll receipts, fuel receipts, match your log book . Oh yeah.. and plan your fuel stops so you don't run out.
I have been long haul from 1997 till 2003. Regional from 2003 - present. I love it. The best money I made was hauling specialized( as a company driver) making 29% of the load. I make better money now delivering groceries driving for Mclane, it's just a lot more work. It is hard on the family, but a good woman, it will work out.
2007-11-16 16:11:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
If you are one of those people that likes to be alone it's great. Yes you get to travel the country but you don't have time to stop. You are always on a tight schedule.
There is are few things to think about before you decide that you want to drive for a living.
Can you be away from you family for 3 to 5 weeks at a time? Or be alone in a truck for that long?
Can you drive for 11 hours strait then take your required 10 hours off and be ready to roll again?
Can you drive 11 hours to get to a warehouse to unload your own freight off the trailer?
Can you sit at a warehouse for 4 or 5 hours and still drive your 10 or 11 hours to make the delivery on time?
Can you manage your money so that you don't run out every week? This is where some have problems.
Are you a clean person? Can you keep the inside of the truck clean?
See these are just a few questions that you should ask yourself. I could go on but I don't want to bore you.
I have been driving for 8 years now and I love it. I did the OTR for about 5 years and then went to work for a company in Yakima, WA that I was home every weekend. I had the option to be home every night but I did not like to run I-5 from Portland to Seattle everyday. This was the best for me so far.
2007-11-16 19:45:46 · answer #2 · answered by Spidy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is Truck Driving Hard
2016-11-07 00:05:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How hard is Over The Road truck driving really?
2015-08-16 20:31:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I transport new cars for a living.I have done it for 21 years.I own my own tractor trailer and I love it.I am home everyweekend if I want to be and it pays better than any trucking job you can get. I load 10 cars at a time and travel 1000 miles and unload the cars for 4000 dollars.i usually gross 300,000 grand a year and take home half after all expenses.Go to a new car dealer and look at the Moroney label at delivery charge and multiply it by ten.Thats what they pay to have a load of new cars delivered to there dealer. Life is good and carhauling makes it happen for me.Good luck.
2007-11-16 09:23:07 · answer #5 · answered by warren r 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I've never done it, but my father in law, 2 uncles in law and a cousin in law do it, my husband did it with his dad, and it's not easy. My father in law almost died recently from falling in his trailer while counting a load. The pay is only good if you drive for yourself, but then you have all your own maintenance and gas to pay for. You are away from home for weeks at a time, while you are training, you are making diddly squat, and you basically live in your truck. My father in law would only be gone for a week or so at a time, not 6-8 weeks like some drivers, but it still wasn't easy when my husband was going with him. If you really want to travel and see the country, by all means, do it. Just realize that a trucker's life is not for everyone.
2007-11-16 01:30:08 · answer #6 · answered by KitKat 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Some of the fun parts include putting on tire chains, sweeping snow off the top of the trailer, and spending hours waiting at border crossings. Other benefits include avoiding hijackings, capricious weigh stations and peeing in a jar.
2007-11-16 01:29:06 · answer #7 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
it would seem hard for a first timer.an they might be scared of getting in a reck
2016-03-17 05:21:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have truckers in the family,they are always on the road,its hard having a family life as a trucker..................
2007-11-16 01:28:43 · answer #9 · answered by john doe 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its a hard life that dont pay forget it and go to school
2007-11-16 01:22:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋