I take home just under £500.00 per week as an employed driver on uk fridge work for nice employer and no real stress.
However, I’m used to being self-employed and prefer it to being an ‘employee’.
I am looking at the viability of leasing a six wheeler unit and going on traction. I could buy a 7-10 year old unit but don’t fancy the risk of a surprise expensive breakdown in the middle of Spain that could have the potential to put me out of business before I get started.
I know I can get plenty of work on a permanent basis UK-Spain-UK (which is work I enjoy) through a very trusted agent but at a low rate. Not definite on the rate but I don’t think it’s moved much (if at all) from £1.25 a mile Trailer and Ferries included that it was a couple of years ago.
I’m not thinking I’ll get rich but would I earn a wage?
Well, the advice I always give is that if you have a good job working for a decent employer and earning a decent wage then you’d probably be better off sticking with that.
If you really want to run your own truck, the best thing to do would be to chat with existing subbies about the job. £1.25 a mile isn’t a lot, although it would be done largely on Spanish diesel and you would expect to cover a fairly high mileage I’d imagine.
So in conclusion, yes, you probably are mental, I think you do need to have something wrong with you to run your own truck, and I say that as an OO myself.
its the fact that you would be buying a truck getting on for 10yrs old but would need to do a lot of miles to make the job pay that would put me off, ok mines in the same age bracket at 9yrs old but i only do 300-400kms a day (sometimes as little as 150kms), if i had to do more on a regular basis i wouldnt feel comfortable in something that age
AS Harry says - stay put, I am an owner too, that rate is pitifully low, I used to get £1,300 as a backload for fruit in the 90’s from Spain, I know things have changed a lot since but not for the better, my advice for what its worth is to stay put and take the holiday pay and easy route, if you are still in a little doubt have a read here - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=111849
Shows what can happen.
As an ex owner driver now working for big frim on a good wage i known what I would do keep the good steady job. The low stress is worth a few pounds a week on its own
You have to be very lucky today to make more that a good wage as an od these days
if your earning good money you could test the waters.
Do what your thinking of doing but put another driver in the truck if it pays then you have the other option of getting a 2nd truck or pulling the hire driver out and doing it yourself.
the 1st option means you still have money coming in to sub the 2nd job till its running in profit.
Probably leasing a two-year old tractor with full R&M and breakdown cover would be the best bet if running to Spain. I’ve heard nightmare stories about recovery and repair bills on the continent, even a puncture costs £1,000+ to get sorted in France. I would run to Spain in mine, which is five years old, I doubt I’d still be prepared to do it five years down the line.
If you feel you really have to do it then I’d understand that, sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do but my advice would be to carry on thinking about it, researching and planning it, and most importantly saving as much money as you can towards it- a £30,000 truck will end up costing £40,000+ if you have to finance it- carry on working in the job you have for now, just put yourself in a position to bring the idea on to the front burner if things ever change at work.
Yes I read the post you mentioned Brados, along with others on a similar theme.
It’s hard to see how some of you make it pay at all with the rates as they are which is why I’m giving it a very good coat of lookin’ at before making any decisions.
I don’t think I’d be happy taking the risk of buying an older truck such as I mentioned in the OP. I think if the expected milage per week and rate per mile look like they won’t make me a wage using a leased truck with R&M (not necessarily a new one) Then I’ll be more likely to stay where I am. As some of you suggest.
