Authority Pros & Cons

[BadDog]

New to trucking. I bought a 2011 Cascadia 450 cummins 197K mi from a Customs Sale ( They got caught smuggling dope in it) The first thing I have learned is nothing is cheap on trucks. If I win the lottery I just might be able to afford to be an O/O for a few years. I have saved a lot of $$ from watching Rawze videos and youtube. I had to replace the rear rear as Customs Police cut a big donut(pardon the pun) hole out of what was the rear diff to get to the dope. I have changed all the fluids, fuel pump tappets and the plungers,allignment and 4 new batteries ( truck sat in a impound for 3 years) I have done a EGR tune-up and planning on seeing Mr Hagg soon. I was in the windshield business for 30 years. I have been retired for 4 years and now 53 and sitting at home is getting old. Now with all of the apps, program, load boards etc. it is super easy to be your own boss.It has taken 5 weeks and $2000 to get MC/DOT and LLC etc set up. I paid cash for the truck and buying a new Mac step-deck. Remember in any business stick with what you know.(In my case I know numbers) Plus we had our own trucks and dry vans to run inventory between our warehouses. Keep your expenses in check and save save save. Did I mention to save your money. I've seen so many people open up and then as the money starts coming in they blow it and think I can just sell a few w/shields or run a few loads to pay my bills. Then something happens and one bad week their broke and out of business.. As an Owner the hardest thing you will have to do will be making yourself work. Keep that left door closed and the wheels turning and the money will come. Spend money to make money. When you choose a load board spend the extra $50 a month to get all the features of that board( like avg rates etc) Listen to advice on sites like Rawze. You can soon learn
to spot somebody that knows WTH they are talking about or just plain ignorant. This trucking business is nothing more than numbers. LEARN MATH and know what your REAL NUMBERS are. SAVE for break downs bad weather etc. Did I mention save???I see so many you tubers that want to be truckers and can't Add,Subtract or don't even have real numbers. How the hell are you going to sell something in this case miles if you don't know what they really cost you. There is money in any business if you know it. Keep track of your numbers, costs and don't forget to save money for your taxes or I will be buying your truck from a Treasury SALE!!