how would i go about buying a semi truck?

Question

i have been looking into buying a semi truck but i dont know where to start. I was wondering how much is a good truck and insurance. Also how would i go about finding jobs

Answer 1

Like everyone else said, a good place to start is by getting your CDL and getting some real-world experience in the industry. The most successful company owners and owner/operators are the ones who've spent time behind the wheel themselves. You'll know what it's like out here, how the logistics work, and if you hire other drivers (like your other question suggested) you will know what it's like to be in their shoes. You won't be able to start out working for a small company or owner operator....but pay your dues working for a major carrier for 2-3 years and learn all you can about a major carrier's financial profile. Then try to get on with an owner/op or small fleet. There you will have the opportunity to learn things from the owner of the company, you can see how much different load pays vs. how much the truck profits after fuel, and truly get a good look at the way things work for the "little guy". This is what I've been able to do in the last 5 years....I want to own my own truck eventually as well, and the things I've learned from working with a small company and having friends who are owner/ops are very valuable.

To get an idea of what the costs and financing options are available to you, you can visit any truck dealership and speak with someone. Most places aren't too far away from a Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Volvo, International, Western Star, or something. Again, unless you're made of money and paying cash upfront, many places won't finance you unless you have some experience in the trucking industry already.

A brand-new truck alone is going to cost you anywhere from 80,000 for a bare-bones, fleet-style Freightliner....to upwards of 120-170,000 for a totally decked out Peterbilt. Used trucks can be found anywhere from 9,000 dollars, beat up with 2 million miles on them....to 80-90k and above. Like anything else, you get what you pay for. Trailers totally depend on what kind of freight you want to haul.....a good dry van trailer might run you 13,000...a good used refer is about 30,000....a new car trailer may cost $120,000 or more. Registration for the year, for all 48 states is about 1600 dollars if I remember correctly. Insurance depends on many factors, but if I recall right can range from $700 a month to over $2000 a month. And let's not forget that right about now a full tank of fuel is going to top $500 dollars, count on filling the tank once a day.

Once you have your own truck, there are some options. You can sign on with a company like Landstar or Fed Ex Ground, this saves you from having to buy your own trailer, get your own authority, and find your own loads. Or you can go all the way and get your own trailer and authority, and get loads through a freight broker. You can find freight brokers on the Internet or the Yellow Pages, or through various "freight finder" load boards, like GetLoaded.com, CentralDispatch.com (Central is for car haulers, but you get the idea).

Answer 2

There you go, you'd have to be licensed to drive it and have a job in the industry to finance it and a perfect credit history since most sell for 100K or more these days.

When diesel was $1.00 a gallon most successful drivers were logging 120K plus miles a year and spending 35K on fuel alone. Now that diesel is $3.00 a gallon you'll be spending well over 100K a year for fuel and of course a $3,000 set of tires will cost two to three times that amount these days. Henceforth, it is far better to drive a company owned and maintained tractor than to strike out on you own as you will likely not profit even a penny for the life of the loan on the tractor which is five years or less. The insurance and operating costs will bury you unless you are independantly wealthy and pay cash for the truck.

Look into Snyder or Werner or Allied or some other reputable company that has their own fleet and in some cases their own driver training schools.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Getting a commercial liscense would be a good start. Why buy it if you can't drive it.

While you go through that process you will meet people who can answer all your questions.