Well, how thing’s change. We had chosen the idea of leasing brand new, either Merc or MAN, but after my visit to Volvo at Ely,and going on good sound advice ,i’ve brought a Volvo FH12 420 “X” REG .It’s away having bigger fuel tanks fitted ,so when i pick it up,will get some photos. Then today, went and choose a Schmitz euroliner, 2001 in great condition. Hopefully at the end of next week, ill be on the road. I have “choosen” a company to work for, but not saying anything about that for the time being. Only coz i dont personally know alot about them, its not till you work for a company, you get a “feel for them”.
Good luck topcat and I look forward to seeing the pic’s 
Good luck Topcat,hope all goes well for you.
Look forward to pics and diaries.
regards derek
topcat:
I have “choosen” a company to work for, but not saying anything about that for the time being. Only coz i dont personally know alot about them, its not till you work for a company, you get a “fill for them”.
Personally, I would list the company on here you are planning to work for as you might just catch the eye of an owner-driver or small haulier who has first hand experience with them and also maybe that they don’t pay their bills perhaps …
Just a thought 
.
Good Luck Topcat 
Good luck Topcat
I hope you get better service from Ely than I did
Are they getting the tanks done by Specialised Vehicle Welding in Chatham that’s where I got 'em to take my new one his tanks are actually 1500lts unlike certain co’s who say they are but you can never get that in 'em.
Robs right name the firm before you’re committed might save some aggro later
Good Luck topcat, looking forward to seeing the pic of your motor. 
Thanks for the replys guy’s, I’ve pm a couple of people with ref to the work, i might be doing. The bigger tanks are been fitted by SB components of Wisbech. 1 680ltr & 340ltr.
topcat:
Thanks for the replys guy’s, I’ve pm a couple of people with ref to the work, i might be doing. The bigger tanks are been fitted by SB components of Wisbech. 1 680ltr & 340ltr.
Good luck, hope it works out for you. Interested to see who your gonna be working for? Did you get your truck under warranty ?
Good luck Topcat.
Good Luck,Topcat.
My three best tips:
~ It’s not how many miles you cover each week, it’s how much profit you make on each and every one of 'em that counts.
~ Get everything agreed between you and your clients in writing.
~ If a run is not going to be profitable, do not be tempted to do it either as a favour to the customer or just to keep the wheels turning. There are already a lot of “busy fools” out there ! You’re better off parked at home for the day making nowt than clocking up another couple of hundred miles to do so. You can still use the time profitably for doing accounts paperwork or seeking out potential alternative clients !
Good advice Graham! And now that I come to think of it, you only started a few weeks ago with your 143 ? How are you finding it ? What work are you doing ?
I wish you both,Graham and Topcat, and Im sure the rest of us do here at Trucknet the very best of luck with your new ventures.Hope you make it.
Thanks for all your inputs, and all the advice you’ve given for the “good and bad” in starting out.
I have certainly taken a lot on board, but I’m sure, even with the best will in the world, something unforseen may (or will) happen.
Now for the bit where i get some grief !! 
I’m going to start with a freight forwarder called Ashworth Preece. There are several reasons why, but remember my cost’s are not massive, and I can “live” with the money being offered, so far they are the only company to have given me a detailed breakdown of payments.
Whilst working for them, if they are no good I can always look about for a better deal/rates, but I can start imediately with them, which means as soon as I get my truck I will be off!
Keep us updated as to how you get on with Ashworth Preece.
You never know they may be one of the rare few good freight forwarders.
Always good to have an extra contact to call.
Keep us updated as to how you get on with Ashworth Preece.
You never know they may be one of the rare few good freight forwarders.
kEEP DREAMING
Routier, that wasn’t me.
It was “v8superfan” (aka Richard) who got the 143 and started up as an OD with it - about 2 months ago now, (mid-May.)
I replied to some of his posts and we have also met offline. I was able to share some ‘local knowledge’ with him - we both live in North Wales, about 40 miles apart though.
I haven’t heard from him for a while, either on here or offline so let’s hope he’s had a very busy first couple of months!
I used to be an OD though, up until a few years ago (before I discovered TruckNetUK).
Robbies Dad:
Keep us updated as to how you get on with Ashworth Preece.
You never know they may be one of the rare few good freight forwarders.
they are a sound company, you’ll have no problems if you are right with them
i did a few runs to italy for them (not my own truck-the firms) around 7 years ago and they seemed pretty well organised. I had 1 drop in ancona and reloaded about 15 km south of there on friday for delivery manchester area tuesday.
good luck
Without wanting to cause a mad rush to Ashworth Preece I would agree that they are one of the better ones, in fact a lot of the work offered in the backs of these trucking mags is sourced from Ashworth Preece, DT and the like.
Direct work is always going to be at least 10% more profitable as there are no vultures clawing your eyes out 