Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Is Being an Owner Operator Risky?

By Ralph Watson


Eventually some truckers contemplate becoming an owner operator. For numerous new and also experienced drivers the allure concerning having a business oftentimes leads these types of buy a truck. But prior to taking the plunge there are certain things that all drivers ought to know pertaining to becoming an owner operator. This write-up is going to take a short look at a lot of the potential risks connected with becoming an owner operator.

Why Truckers Elect to Become Owner Operators There are many reasons why truck drivers wish to actually buy a truck and become owner operators. Here is actually a list of many of the most typical causes: They suspect they're going to have additional control over the time they are really home They suspect the profits will be better as an O/O They really want better equipment They don't want to run particular regions of america They would like to be in the position to refuse whatever load that they don't want to carry They want to make choices individually rather then having a dispatcher make decisions for them. Truly what these truck drivers are seeking is more control. They are convinced that calling their unique shots could make them happier and even more successful. Yet, of course, this is not usually typically the scenario.

Challenges Related to Becoming an Owner Operator There are a good number of challenges to think of while deciding to become an owner operator. Buying a truck really is a large financial investment. The total price is often over $100,000. Along with the truck comes the fee for fuel, insurance coverage, as well as the routine maintenance. It can be hard to break even because of each one of these expenditures. And if you include the fee for a freight claim, or breakdown it may cause the actual numbers to not add together. Another aspect to consider is definitely the commitment that this mandates. When a driver buys a truck they relinquish flexibility. Company drivers could quit their company or possibly give up driving forever. If a company drivers quits and wishes to return into trucking there's always businesses that are going to take them back. An owner operator with all the costs does not possess this choice. They need to keep the wheels rolling in many cases just to break even.

Maintaining Freight There is possibly the challenge associated with competing with big trucking companies pertaining to freight. In quite a few ways the freight industry is undoubtedly a commodity. Often shippers opt for whoever may haul their freight the cheapest. Large companies possess services and even resources that each owner operators really do not. Large companies can certainly drop a trailer, transfer freight faster by making use of a team, and obtain discounts on things like fuel, tires, parts, as well as maintenance because of purchasing large quantities. They could also utilize a lane as a backhaul, which means they got compensated well in one leg of the move and simply need to get their driver back home and can charge far less for the backhaul. Another feature to consider will be the cyclical character with the freight industry. In a standard year, freight levels vary depending on the time of the year. Generally freight is always strong through the spring and summer and after that tapers off in the late fall. The months of December through February can be quite sluggish. In the recent recession, the traditionally hectic months ended up unpredictable. Large trucking companies have financial resources to make sure they're going throughout the challenging times. Large pools of financing and investment allow these companies to operate at a loss during recessions. This ensures that they are able to price their services beneath cost which keeps freight on their trucks. Owner operators do not possess this specific luxury.

Committed drivers will usually take into consideration entering into business by themselves and some will certainly triumph. But there are many issues to look at prior to obligating yourself to several years of the lifestyle associated with an owner operator. Extra expenses, substantially less flexibility, and competing with large trucking companies are some of these concerns. For a company driver it's important to do your homework prior to purchasing a truck.




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