newmercman:
At the end of the day it’s time to move on, or onwards as our gastronomic, sartorially elegant, Internet sensation, lorry driving superstar would say…
Fawning overdoes anyone? 
Welcome to the world of “not a proper lorry driver” trolley dollying Luke.
Overtures or overdose maybe ? 
James the cat:
newmercman:
At the end of the day it’s time to move on, or onwards as our gastronomic, sartorially elegant, Internet sensation, lorry driving superstar would say…Fawning overdoes anyone?
Or a feeble attempt at humour maybe…
Perhaps a revenue for either harry(if you decide to give up subbying) or you Luke, could be to go the external transport manager, or consultants? Would almost certainly only be clients that you were happy that needed only the bare minimum of babysitting?
And Luke, if being an owner driver was once a boyhood dream, are you saying that one day it went away? You clearly still love the driving so I don’t think it did? So what’s actually stopping you looking further into it? And don’t say it’s cos there’s no money in it? What is actually stopping you?
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver. External TM is a good suggestion though, I’ll look into that.
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver. External TM is a good suggestion though, I’ll look into that.
Hi Luke,
I have been off road now for two years,after 26 yrs on road, and working as a TM,very happy with the salary but some days I wish I was back on the road! If the job ever went t-ts up I would go down the external TM route with out a doubt,obviously not putting my repute at risk with any John Wayne outfits!, you can work the hours what suits you and can top your earnings with a bit of driving, Cheer’s Pete
ashton gate:
Welcome to the world of “not a proper lorry driver” trolley dollying Luke.
I’m now a transporter of trollies but still consider myself a proper lorry driver…well just about anyway.
bald bloke:
I’m now a transporter of trollies but still consider myself a proper lorry driver…well just about anyway.
That’s what you think
Freelance Luke is go >>> ONWARD lorry-driver.com/2016/02/fre … e.html?m=1
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver. External TM is a good suggestion though, I’ll look into that.
You can always buy farm with a garage… in east… for example… Bulgaria 
… or if optioning for the posh… Estonia, establish cheap Ltd over there with cheaper taxes and licences and run truck from there - lower income - yes, but lower expenses as well…
nick2008:
bald bloke:
I’m now a transporter of trollies but still consider myself a proper lorry driver…well just about anyway.That’s what you think
Yep I’ve convinced myself.
Well luke you had a go it didn’t pan out the way you wanted but if you hadent given it a go you would have always had the question in the back of your head what if ? so onwards and upwards put it down to experience and move on
Work in Wild West America 
Two people needed for farm work February thru November. To help with fertilizing, planting, and custom harvest operations. We follow the wheat harvest and cotton harvest; operating round bale pickers. This is a family run operation, with 20 years strong and would like to hire two male or female operators to join our operation. Call Brian 3617650321
Immigrant:
Work in Wild West AmericaTwo people needed for farm work February thru November. To help with fertilizing, planting, and custom harvest operations. We follow the wheat harvest and cotton harvest; operating round bale pickers. This is a family run operation, with 20 years strong and would like to hire two male or female operators to join our operation. Call Brian 3617650321
You know I want more time at home don’t you…? 
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver.
If you have contacts for European work then you could make a decent enough living at it, probably a little more than working as an employed driver although certainly not a fortune. The point is though that if running your own truck is a long-held ambition then when you are on your death bed you will regret not having done it far more than you will regret having done it, even if it doesn’t work out as well as you had hoped.
I sometimes feel like tearing my hair out with the stress of it- in the space of six weeks recently I needed a new compressor, radiator and a cylinder head rebuild and although I am thinking of packing it in that is purely and simply because I want to spend more time narrowboating, I don’t regret putting my own truck on the road for a New York minute. If it’s what you want to do then do it.
Harry Monk:
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver.If you have contacts for European work then you could make a decent enough living at it, probably a little more than working as an employed driver although certainly not a fortune. The point is though that if running your own truck is a long-held ambition then when you are on your death bed you will regret not having done it far more than you will regret having done it, even if it doesn’t work out as well as you had hoped.
I sometimes feel like tearing my hair out with the stress of it- in the space of six weeks recently I needed a new compressor, radiator and a cylinder head rebuild and although I am thinking of packing it in that is purely and simply because I want to spend more time narrowboating, I don’t regret putting my own truck on the road for a New York minute. If it’s what you want to do then do it.
It’s something I’ve always harboured an interest in, but the maths and the added stress levels gets the judgement. I wouldn’t be doing it for making a fortune or living. More that the business is self sustaining. I could afford the set up, but keep it going for ever is another matter if it’s losing money. It would be an expensive hobby, even compared to sailing boats or private aircraft. Even going part time, I’d have to pay someone else other than me to drive it to make it work due fixed overheads/keeping goodwill or contracts. We have talked about it previously. I did think of my fortunate direct links with the air cargo world but the reality is running a lorry would be incredibly stressful and I have enough stress with my day job, so for now, shelved. Never say never.
Harry Monk:
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver.If you have contacts for European work then you could make a decent enough living at it, probably a little more than working as an employed driver although certainly not a fortune. The point is though that if running your own truck is a long-held ambition then when you are on your death bed you will regret not having done it far more than you will regret having done it, even if it doesn’t work out as well as you had hoped.
I sometimes feel like tearing my hair out with the stress of it- in the space of six weeks recently I needed a new compressor, radiator and a cylinder head rebuild and although I am thinking of packing it in that is purely and simply because I want to spend more time narrowboating, I don’t regret putting my own truck on the road for a New York minute. If it’s what you want to do then do it.
Unless those contacts were made during the Virginia days, then that is not only unethical, but it could land you in hot water, I’d tread very carefully in that respect.
I agree with the rest of it though, if you can ever live your dream then do everything you can to make it happen.
Freight Dog:
Harry Monk:
switchlogic:
It is literally because there’s no money in it. And the stress. The dream of riding round Europe in my top of the range lorry with my name on the front is still there, I just know the reality would be a lot more down to earth and for the work involved I’d earn more as an employed driver.If you have contacts for European work then you could make a decent enough living at it, probably a little more than working as an employed driver although certainly not a fortune. The point is though that if running your own truck is a long-held ambition then when you are on your death bed you will regret not having done it far more than you will regret having done it, even if it doesn’t work out as well as you had hoped.
I sometimes feel like tearing my hair out with the stress of it- in the space of six weeks recently I needed a new compressor, radiator and a cylinder head rebuild and although I am thinking of packing it in that is purely and simply because I want to spend more time narrowboating, I don’t regret putting my own truck on the road for a New York minute. If it’s what you want to do then do it.
It’s something I’ve always harboured an interest in, but the maths and the added stress levels gets the judgement. I wouldn’t be doing it for making a fortune or living. More that the business is self sustaining. I could afford the set up, but keep it going for ever is another matter if it’s losing money. It would be an expensive hobby, even compared to sailing boats or private aircraft. Even going part time, I’d have to pay someone else other than me to drive it to make it work due fixed overheads/keeping goodwill or contracts. We have talked about it previously. I did think of my fortunate direct links with the air cargo world but the reality is running a lorry would be incredibly stressful and I have enough stress with my day job, so for now, shelved. Never say never.
I don’t think you want to be doing it too comfortably, obviously living hand to mouth would be too far the other way. I don’t think say a lottery winner doing it, with a comfortable cash cushion safety net or someone who pays to have their book published ever would get quite the same buzz you do on the better days.
I would think Luke ought to be able to leverage his social media profile to get a very favourable lease deal with a manufacturer on a new truck. Particularly if he got the marketing departments at more than one make interested and played them off.
I had the chance to do the harvest combine team in the USA, instead the YFC sent me to a bankrupt dairy farm in Michigan, milking three times a day plus farm machinery driving.
I lived on maccaroni cheese and candy bars as the farm was taken over by the bank, when i left, i was paid for all my hours, then spent two weeks on an Amtrak train seeing most of the country.
I was then offered a farm job in Texas but opted for the tree plantation firm in Fort Lauderdale, the whole experience was life changing, a free bungalow on site to live in, weekends on mini cruises to the Bahamas, for $99, driving to Key West and over the Everglades to Tampa and St Petersburg.
I later took a cash in ■■■■■■■■ steel fixing on high rise buildings around the Miami area .I saw the paper advert, he said buy some tools, see you tomorrow, but this was in the 80`s , the authorities are strict on these jobs now.
In Florida i bought a clapped out Jeep and an old car, then a RZ 350 YPVS Yamaha, i shipped it back to the UK.
For the combine teams, the hours are very long , food and lodging is provided , but you do earn a fortune, it is the experience and the great people you work with .