Could I make a living?

[jelliot]

I’ve watched this post for a while and as an ex owner driver I will tell it how it was when I was doing it.
Legal!!! no chance.
I could leave it there but as I’v just had a letter form the council saying they’re putting our rates up by %21this year I’m going to have a rant.

I was doing it back in the 80’s I bought my truck and trailer from my Dad, so the work came with it, there really wasn’t that much work and being based in the Scottish borders there wasn’t much other work about either.

The reason I started was that Dad’d had enough of trucks and wanted out, if I didn’t by it then I was down the road as well, but there were a few other OD’s in our area so I though I might as well give it a go. So I invested everything I had, which wasn’t much, but enough make a bit of dent in the HP and other start up stuff. Next problem was that I was very young so the insurance was ridiculously high, there wasn’t an option for pay buy the month as I was a first timer, so it was one massive hit before I even got started.
Dad’s business required about three loads a week but they were to and from remote locations so try getting a back load from north west Scotland to deepest Norfolk or Devon wasn’t possible so I had to take anything that was offered, usually at beggars rates, and more often than not I would sit up to 7 hours to get a load that as going 150 miles in the wrong direction. However some money was better than none and at least I wasn’t siting about not doing anything, which was only marginally better.

Then there’s cash flow or the lack of it, most companies won’t pay until 60 day after the end of the month in which you did the job. They don’t give a stuff about your personal or business situations. Why do they do this, because everyone else is doing the same and they can get away with it. In the mean time you still have bills to pay so unless you have enough back up to finance your way for 97 days ( that’s 90 days to wait for the check plus the time it take for the bank to have it’s slice as well ) then it’s a non starter. Put that in prospective do a job just after the New Year get paid Easter. That’s if you get paid at all. I, being of a kind heart thought that there was some kind of legal arrangement that if you got a bill you had to pay it. Perhaps I was an optimist or just naive, as it turns out not every one is of the same mind. Legal action to collect money owing is very expensive and most crooks know that if they can keep it under a 5 or 6 grand it’s just not worth perusing. Not only will going to court cost you a heap of cash but it all takes a lot of time to set up as well.

Along the way there was things like repairs that usually come along just when you though you were getting in front a bit, and personal injury, which can slow you down as well.

I was lucky that the ministry let me run my truck from my Dad’s yard so that wasn’t something I had to worry about, and as I was a time served diesel fitter I could do most of the maintenance work my self so I save a bit of cash there as well.

The rates being offered locally were rubbish, so much so that even the other OD’s in the area weren’t taking them on, anything that was good had already been taken, a long time ago. It was about that time I realized what The Masons, Rugby and Golf clubs were actually about.

I quickly became aware that it didn’t matter what kind of truck you had, how enthusiastic you were, how hard you wanted to work, or what you were willing to do, it simply didn’t matter. All that counted was who you knew that could put work on your
truck.
After about 9 months into being a OD I’d had enough, all that arrived in the mail was bills. and very few checks. But one day a bloke phoned offering 20 ton loads fresh veg from local farms to be delivered to whole sale markets. Loading was fairly local to where I was based, but the truck had to be loaded and tipped in one shift. That didn’t matter if it was Newcastle, Edinburgh, or Redruth. However the money was good, and with that and bit more work from Dad I was set.

Load Sunday lunch time Scottish borders, deliver early Monday morning Bristol. Load lunch time Monday Cardiff deliver Aberdeen Tuesday Morning, load Peterhead Tuesday afternoon, deliver London. I’m sure you get the picture.
Even then the money wasn’t fantastic but I was getting in front.

Running like that it soon became apparent that there were a few other guys doing the same thing as I used to see them all the time. They were the guys that had better kit, the wise ones had good high power second hand trucks, as they had to stand up to everything that was thrown at them. I never knew any one that ever took a day of let alone a holiday, and many lost their families long the way as they were never home. Unfortunately after about a couple of years of this kind of work one of the big guys started sniffing about and shortly after that it was all over.

On the whole Owner Drivers are Rate takers, not Rate makers, very few of them ever get a say in the rates, and have to take what is on offer.

And then there’s all the other crap like paper work and book keeping, if you think fuel is expensive wait until you have to employ the skills of a professional accountant.

Then there is the other thing where you are getting regular work, only to find that the company you’re working for goes bust.

I have known many Owner Drivers in my time and none of them have ever taken early retirement. About the only way to keep good work is to back hand the transport manager, I knew many that did, it’s not fair but that’s reality. I’m not saying everyone did it that way, but I don’t know anyone the that didn’t get up to something dodgy. Sooner or later you get to the point where you just say it’s not worth it.

If you have a good job and a good boss then stay put, being and owner driver is a dream for most drivers, which unfortunately turns out to be nightmare for to many, and it’s a hell of a price to pay to have your name on the door of a truck.
Out of all the people I know that have been OD’s who have tried a large spectrum of work form the 8 legger local quarry work to of top line trucks on International long haul none are still at it, some lasted longer than others, but in the end all gave up and move on to other things.

If you really want to get into transport then go to collage and study business, join the local rugby or golf club, and send your kids to private schools, or join the Masons, all of which are very good ways to make business contacts. The unfortunate thing about being an OD is that most people that try it are passionate about trucks and are lead by their hearts, what you need in business is hard reality and a cold heart, if the numbers don’t add up it’s not worth it.

I now live in different part of the world and have been involved in transport on 5 continents, and guess what? its the same all over. Sorry to rain on any ones parade, that might not be how it is for you, you might be on of the lucky ones, but for the majority of OD’s your at the bottom of the heap, and you’re first in line for the crap.

Jeff…

[stevieboy308]

Jelliot:
I’ve watched this post for a while and as an ex owner driver I will tell it how it was when I was doing it.
Legal!!! no chance.
I could leave it there but as I’v just had a letter form the council saying they’re putting our rates up by %21this year I’m going to have a rant.

I was doing it back in the 80’s I bought my truck and trailer from my Dad, so the work came with it, there really wasn’t that much work and being based in the Scottish borders there wasn’t much other work about either.

The reason I started was that Dad’d had enough of trucks and wanted out, if I didn’t by it then I was down the road as well, but there were a few other OD’s in our area so I though I might as well give it a go. So I invested everything I had, which wasn’t much, but enough make a bit of dent in the HP and other start up stuff. Next problem was that I was very young so the insurance was ridiculously high, there wasn’t an option for pay buy the month so it was one massive hit before I even got started.
Dad’s business required about three loads a week but they were to and from remote locations so try getting a back load from north west Scotland to deepest Norfolk or Devon wasn’t possible so I had to take anything that was offered, usually at beggars rates, and more often than not I would sit up to 7 hours to get a load that as going 150 miles in the wrong direction. However some money was better than none and at least I wasn’t siting about not doing anything, which was only marginally better.

Then there’s cash flow or the lack of it, most companies won’t pay until 60 day after the end of the month in which you did the job. They don’t give a stuff about your personal or business situations. Why do they do this, because everyone else is doing the same and they can get away with it. In the mean time you still have bills to pay so unless you have enough back up to finance your way for 97 days ( that’s 90 days to wait for the check plus the time it take for the bank to have it’s slice as well ) then it’s a non starter. Put that in prospective do a job just after the New Year get paid Easter. That’s if you get paid at all. I being of a kind heart though that there was some kind of legal arrangement that if you got a bill you had to pay it. Perhaps I was an optimist or just naive, as it turns out not every one is of the same mind. Legal action to collect money owing is very expensive and most crooks know that if they can keep it under a 5 or 6 grand it’s just not worth perusing. Not only will going to court cost you a heap of cash but it all takes a lot of time to set up as well.

Along the way there was things like repairs that usually come along just when you though you were getting in front a bit, and personal injury, which can slow you down as well.

I was lucky that the ministry let me run my truck from my Dad’s yard so that wasn’t something I had to worry about, and as I was a time served diesel fitter I could do most of the maintenance work my self so I save a bit of cash there as well.

The rates being offered locally were rubbish, so much so that even the other OD’s in the area weren’t taking them on, anything that was good had already been taken, a long time ago. It was about that time I realized what Rugby and Golf clubs were actually about.

I quickly became aware that it didn’t matter what kind of truck you had, how enthusiastic you were, how hard you wanted to work, or what you were willing to do simply didn’t matter. All that counted was who you knew that could put work on your
truck.
After about 9 months into being a OD I’d had enough all that arrived in the mail was bills. and very few checks. But one day a bloke phones offering fresh veg deliveries to whole sale markets. Loading was fairly local to where I was based, but the truck had to be loaded and tipped in one shift. That didn’t matter if it was Newcastle, Edinburgh, or Redruth. However the money was good, and with that and bit more work from Dad I was set.

Load Sunday lunch time Scottish borders, deliver early Monday morning Bristol. Load lunch time Monday Cardiff deliver Aberdeen Tuesday Morning, load Peterhead Tuesday afternoon, deliver London. I’m sure you get the picture.
Even then the money wasn’t fantastic but I was getting in front.

Running like that it soon became apparent that there were a few other guys doing the same thing as I used to see them all the time. They were the guys that had better kit, the wise ones had good high power second hand trucks, as they had to stand up to everything that was thrown at them. I never knew any one that ever took a day of let alone a holiday, and many lost their families long the way as they were never home. Unfortunately after about a couple of years of this kind of work one of the big guys started sniffing about and shortly after that it was all over.

On the whole Owner Drivers are Rate takers, not Rate makers, very few of them ever get a say in the rates, and have to take what is on offer.

And then there’s all the other crap like paper work and book keeping, if you think fuel is expensive wait until you have to employ the skills of a professional accountant.

Then there is the other thing where you are getting regular work, only to find that the company you’re working for goes bust.

I have known many Owner Drivers in my time and none of them have ever taken early retirement. About the only way to keep good work is to back hand the transport manager, I knew many that did, it’s not fair but that’s reality. I’m not saying everyone did it that way, but I don’t know anyone the that didn’t get up to something dodgy. Sooner or later you get to the point where you just say it’s not worth it.

If you have a good job and a good boss then stay put, being and owner driver is a dream for most drivers, which unfortunately turns out to be nightmare for many, and it’s a hell of a price to pay to have your name on the door of a truck.
Out of all the people I know that have been OD’s who have tried a large spectrum of work form the local quarry to International long haul none are still at it, some lasted longer than others, but in the end all gave up and move on to other things.

If you really want to get into transport then go to collage and study business, join the local rugby or golf club, and send your kids to private schools, all of which are very good ways to make business contacts. The unfortunate thing about being an OD is that most people that try it are passionate about trucks and are lead by their hearts, what you need in business is hard reality and a cold heart, if the numbers don’t add up it’s not worth it.

I now live in different part of the world and have been involved in transport on 5 continents, and guess what? its the same all over. Sorry to rain on any ones parade, that might not be how it is for you, you might be on of the lucky ones, but for the majority of OD’s your at the bottom of the heap, and you’re first in line for the crap.

Jeff…

good post fella

[chaversdad]

To save getting into an argument i cant be arsed with i.ve deleted my thoughts on the above , this O/D forum really is a waste of time now

[overload]

Chaversdad…sorry pal but your talking crap. You haven’t read the previous post very well. Your points are weak at best. You maybe one of a minority of OD’s that are making a good living out of it. I was for three years till the contracts were taken from me by such lower rates that it wouldn’t pay all my outgoings plus profit. And I for one don’t know many OD’s that have sold up cos they’ve made so much they can retire. Ive known two that have had heart attcks and one that has sadly passed away.

Your living in bubble world my friend. In the past five years companies that have been going since the late 1800’s have gone ■■■■ up. I think that says it all. And…

Your accountant charges you £250 a year…who is your accountant, your brother?

[scanner]

Jelliot:
I’ve watched this post for a while and as an ex owner driver I will tell it how it was when I was doing it.
Legal!!! no chance.
I could leave it there but as I’v just had a letter form the council saying they’re putting our rates up by %21this year I’m going to have a rant.

I was doing it back in the 80’s I bought my truck and trailer from my Dad, so the work came with it, there really wasn’t that much work and being based in the Scottish borders there wasn’t much other work about either.

The reason I started was that Dad’d had enough of trucks and wanted out, if I didn’t by it then I was down the road as well, but there were a few other OD’s in our area so I though I might as well give it a go. So I invested everything I had, which wasn’t much, but enough make a bit of dent in the HP and other start up stuff. Next problem was that I was very young so the insurance was ridiculously high, there wasn’t an option for pay buy the month so it was one massive hit before I even got started.
Dad’s business required about three loads a week but they were to and from remote locations so try getting a back load from north west Scotland to deepest Norfolk or Devon wasn’t possible so I had to take anything that was offered, usually at beggars rates, and more often than not I would sit up to 7 hours to get a load that as going 150 miles in the wrong direction. However some money was better than none and at least I wasn’t siting about not doing anything, which was only marginally better.

Then there’s cash flow or the lack of it, most companies won’t pay until 60 day after the end of the month in which you did the job. They don’t give a stuff about your personal or business situations. Why do they do this, because everyone else is doing the same and they can get away with it. In the mean time you still have bills to pay so unless you have enough back up to finance your way for 97 days ( that’s 90 days to wait for the check plus the time it take for the bank to have it’s slice as well ) then it’s a non starter. Put that in prospective do a job just after the New Year get paid Easter. That’s if you get paid at all. I being of a kind heart though that there was some kind of legal arrangement that if you got a bill you had to pay it. Perhaps I was an optimist or just naive, as it turns out not every one is of the same mind. Legal action to collect money owing is very expensive and most crooks know that if they can keep it under a 5 or 6 grand it’s just not worth perusing. Not only will going to court cost you a heap of cash but it all takes a lot of time to set up as well.

Along the way there was things like repairs that usually come along just when you though you were getting in front a bit, and personal injury, which can slow you down as well.

I was lucky that the ministry let me run my truck from my Dad’s yard so that wasn’t something I had to worry about, and as I was a time served diesel fitter I could do most of the maintenance work my self so I save a bit of cash there as well.

The rates being offered locally were rubbish, so much so that even the other OD’s in the area weren’t taking them on, anything that was good had already been taken, a long time ago. It was about that time I realized what Rugby and Golf clubs were actually about.

I quickly became aware that it didn’t matter what kind of truck you had, how enthusiastic you were, how hard you wanted to work, or what you were willing to do simply didn’t matter. All that counted was who you knew that could put work on your
truck.
After about 9 months into being a OD I’d had enough all that arrived in the mail was bills. and very few checks. But one day a bloke phones offering fresh veg deliveries to whole sale markets. Loading was fairly local to where I was based, but the truck had to be loaded and tipped in one shift. That didn’t matter if it was Newcastle, Edinburgh, or Redruth. However the money was good, and with that and bit more work from Dad I was set.

Load Sunday lunch time Scottish borders, deliver early Monday morning Bristol. Load lunch time Monday Cardiff deliver Aberdeen Tuesday Morning, load Peterhead Tuesday afternoon, deliver London. I’m sure you get the picture.
Even then the money wasn’t fantastic but I was getting in front.

Running like that it soon became apparent that there were a few other guys doing the same thing as I used to see them all the time. They were the guys that had better kit, the wise ones had good high power second hand trucks, as they had to stand up to everything that was thrown at them. I never knew any one that ever took a day of let alone a holiday, and many lost their families long the way as they were never home. Unfortunately after about a couple of years of this kind of work one of the big guys started sniffing about and shortly after that it was all over.

On the whole Owner Drivers are Rate takers, not Rate makers, very few of them ever get a say in the rates, and have to take what is on offer.

And then there’s all the other crap like paper work and book keeping, if you think fuel is expensive wait until you have to employ the skills of a professional accountant.

Then there is the other thing where you are getting regular work, only to find that the company you’re working for goes bust.

I have known many Owner Drivers in my time and none of them have ever taken early retirement. About the only way to keep good work is to back hand the transport manager, I knew many that did, it’s not fair but that’s reality. I’m not saying everyone did it that way, but I don’t know anyone the that didn’t get up to something dodgy. Sooner or later you get to the point where you just say it’s not worth it.

If you have a good job and a good boss then stay put, being and owner driver is a dream for most drivers, which unfortunately turns out to be nightmare for many, and it’s a hell of a price to pay to have your name on the door of a truck.
Out of all the people I know that have been OD’s who have tried a large spectrum of work form the local quarry to International long haul none are still at it, some lasted longer than others, but in the end all gave up and move on to other things.

If you really want to get into transport then go to collage and study business, join the local rugby or golf club, and send your kids to private schools, all of which are very good ways to make business contacts. The unfortunate thing about being an OD is that most people that try it are passionate about trucks and are lead by their hearts, what you need in business is hard reality and a cold heart, if the numbers don’t add up it’s not worth it.

I now live in different part of the world and have been involved in transport on 5 continents, and guess what? its the same all over. Sorry to rain on any ones parade, that might not be how it is for you, you might be on of the lucky ones, but for the majority of OD’s your at the bottom of the heap, and you’re first in line for the crap.

Jeff…

Now that brings back some dark memories

This post should be a sticky, because every word of it is the truth.

[chaversdad]

Cba

[jelliot]

chaversdad:

Jelliot:
POINT 1
I was doing it back in the 80’s I bought my truck and trailer from my Dad, so the work came with it, there really wasn’t that much work and being based in the Scottish borders there wasn’t much other work about either.

2
and more often than not I would sit up to 7 hours to get a load that as going 150 miles in the wrong direction. However some money was better than none and at least I wasn’t siting about not doing anything, which was only marginally better.

3
And then there’s all the other crap like paper work and book keeping, if you think fuel is expensive wait until you have to employ the skills of a professional accountant.

4
Out of all the people I know that have been OD’s who have tried a large spectrum of work form the local quarry to International long haul none are still at it, some lasted longer than others, but in the end all gave up and move on to other things.

Jeff…

Heres my thoughts

1
Why start a business for the sake of it when you admit there wasnt much work about anyway?

2
burning diesel for the sake of it just so the wheels are going round?

3
It takes me about 30 minutes on a saturday morning to pay any bills due and raise my invoices for the week, everything goes on a spreadsheet, i do my own vat returns and see my accountant once a year for a charge of £250

4
I know a quite a few who have been doing it for 20yrs plus who have a very good standard of living

From your little essay above it would seem your venture was doomed to fail before it even started, some people actually think about what they are going to do and have a business plan, not just buy a truck because there dad was selling it
Not having a go mate but dont put the block on someone keen to start just because it didnt work out for you

Dear Mr Chav I like the way you have itemized all the points, it’s very neat and tidy. Good on you mate, it’s good to be organized.

And I’m very happy that you live a prosperous part of the country and have lucky friends as well.

I wouldn’t stop any one from living the dream, I’ve been following mine since I was old enough to dream, and it’s been a hell of ride that’s taken me round the world more than once.

250 quid a year for an accountant lucky old you, got a name for him ? I’m sure there would be plenty on here would give him loads of work.

As I mentioned I started in the 80’s, all I ever wanted to do from about the age of 9 was be in transport, about the only people I knew ran trucks and I thought it was fantastic thing to get involved in. Even though most told me not to get involved, including my Dad, I wanted to give it a go. If you were ever in the Scottish Borders in the 70’s and 80’s you would know that unless you worked for the police as a social worker or in the dole office there was sod all for anyone to do other than leave. When Thatcher got her fangs into Scotland she sucked out what was left of the rest of it like a vampire. If you didn’t have a go at something yourself the only other option was die from a drug over dose which unfortunately for many of the people I went school with was how it ended. No one was looking out for you there wasn’t a good fairy that came along a baled you out, so I got of my arse and had a go.
When I started I was on the young driver scheme so I wasn’t even 20 years old, and being the 80’s all communication was either phone or write a letter. Saturday was spent running home from down south,tipping, loading, servicing, and doing books until late at night. And contract leasing hadn’t been invented.
How things have change now that it’s all on the computer, email, text, or call the agent from the cab. Try stopping at every motorway services and finding a phone that works, so you can find out if there’s going to be load for you next week, or if the delivery address you have is actually where the load is going.
So you phone your wife to see if she can organize something for you, but she’s ■■■■■■ of cause you said you would be back for the kids birthday on Thursday. And there’s no money left in the bank because you had a blow out on Wednesday night and the only bloke that would come out wanted paid before he fitted the brand new tyre which was 80 quid more than the price that the bloke at home charges.
You get back and there’s a load for you, but it’s urgent cause the guy that was meant to take it yesterday had his truck repossessed. Your out of time, but maybe this might be the chance you were looking for to finally get ahead, so you go for. " “Your not going out again?? you said you’d have the at least one night at home” I hope you can find a divorce lawyer in one of those motorway services cause you’ll need one soon, and I’m having half that F*****ng truck as well"
It’s Sunday and you’ve been at it for 10 days straight, the fuse has been out more then it’s been in and you’re taking the scenic route just in case someones looking. At the side of the road there’s some ■■■■■■ with a camera taking photos. Is it the ministry doing a legendary silent check or a tourist ?, it doesn’t matter because your so paranoid now that you’re not going to sleep for the rest of the week.
A few months back you bought a bigger truck, it’s got a bigger motor and does 8.5 to the gallon, which is a lot better then the last one you had that did 6 on a good day, what a difference it makes to the fuel bill. It’s almost enough to pay of the extra hire purchase. It’s got a sleeper cab to, not that you need it cause you drive it night and day any way, but you always dream that one day you’ll get the break you’re looking for and might actually be able to have a few hours on the bunk.

You’ve heard that the International guys get paid 7 day on the CMR; Bloody hell that’s got to be better than this load of bol***s, so you apply for permits and have an ask about to see if it’s true.

Tell you what son says the guy in the Porto cabin at the edge of the puddle, give me 500 quid cash next time your down this way and a week after that I’ll have all the paperwork you need and a load to Spain, to and from, round trip. How would you like that■■? ( Oh yes!!!remember the bond for Spain, that’s extra, but I can take it out your first few payments!!! )

However I digress.

Back in the 60’s 70’s My dad used to be in the agriculture industry and being the Borders he knew most of the other guys in the same game. There was a guy in ■■■■■■■ that was doing quite well had a good business, a couple of outlets and he had a couple of sons that he was bringing on. The elder one had a bit of a business head and the younger was interested in trucks so he did a bit of hay and straw as part of his dads dealings. Mid 70’s the dad wanted to retire and it was mentioned that the sons took it over as was tradition. Against his dads advice the older one wanted to push the transport side and took some heavy loans against the existing business thinking he could make it where others hadn’t. The elder brother was named after his dad but they called him Eddie, his brother is called Andrew, the father was Edward Stobart.

Never top dreaming, always aim high. But it’s always good if you have a plan B. And an accountant that works for 250 quid a year. Good to know some one made it.

Jeff…

[chaversdad]

Like i said mate, sorry it didnt work out for you but i,ll leave it there

[overload]

Jeff…spot on mate. I know of one OD that is JUST making a living out of driving for himself. He is on a night run for a well known parcel company. He has a beat up old DAF he managed to pay for some time back. As his bills have risen the rate has stayed the same to such a digree if he has a blow out or something like this the cost mainly comes out of his wage cos the profit isn’t there. That’s his story or view call it what you wan’t. I have listed on this site my views on the subject of making a living out of it. What Jeff have wrote I can sincerely relate to. However there are a few on this site who are,if your lead to believe what they are saying, sailing thru all the heartache and stress and for-ever growing pitfalls of owner operating, to them I say think yourself very very very fortunate. You are the minority.

[3_wheeler]

Living yes…just , but it would be an existence rather than making company profits that let you expand or buy shiny new trucks . Unless you have been around for years and have a niche market Life at startup is so hard less than 5% will survive five years , I promise you would be thinking work for 100 hrs a week and resting at home rarely, and on your days off you would be outside washing it or changing wheels ( and that wont be declared on a tacho ) thats a reality.
We were earning less in 2009 than we were in 1999 …AND LOOK AT THE FUEL PRICE RISES ETC ETC.
Dont do it, its a big companies world now , the days of being an OD like me that started in the 80’s are over and that is a fact many will testify is true.

[overload]

Amen.

[rob_k]

Ignore chavsdad. He’s just some clown pulling containers out of Teesport for buttons yet thinks he’s on a good craic. All the OOs with brains packed up shop years ago when fuel was rapidly heading towards a quid a litre. It’s only the clueless numpties that know nothing else that still slog their guts out at it believing that “it’ll get better soon” and think that the £500 a week they’re left with each week is a good income for running a truck.

[fly_sheet]

Some good posts on here, some real in depth ones.

The post above is same old same old though, oh well I suppose its consistent if nought else Mr K

[mr_vain]

Jelliot:
I’ve watched this post for a while and as an ex owner driver I will tell it how it was when I was doing it.
Legal!!! no chance.
I could leave it there but as I’v just had a letter form the council saying they’re putting our rates up by %21this year I’m going to have a rant.

I was doing it back in the 80’s I bought my truck and trailer from my Dad, so the work came with it, there really wasn’t that much work and being based in the Scottish borders there wasn’t much other work about either.

The reason I started was that Dad’d had enough of trucks and wanted out, if I didn’t by it then I was down the road as well, but there were a few other OD’s in our area so I though I might as well give it a go. So I invested everything I had, which wasn’t much, but enough make a bit of dent in the HP and other start up stuff. Next problem was that I was very young so the insurance was ridiculously high, there wasn’t an option for pay buy the month as I was a first timer, so it was one massive hit before I even got started.
Dad’s business required about three loads a week but they were to and from remote locations so try getting a back load from north west Scotland to deepest Norfolk or Devon wasn’t possible so I had to take anything that was offered, usually at beggars rates, and more often than not I would sit up to 7 hours to get a load that as going 150 miles in the wrong direction. However some money was better than none and at least I wasn’t siting about not doing anything, which was only marginally better.

Then there’s cash flow or the lack of it, most companies won’t pay until 60 day after the end of the month in which you did the job. They don’t give a stuff about your personal or business situations. Why do they do this, because everyone else is doing the same and they can get away with it. In the mean time you still have bills to pay so unless you have enough back up to finance your way for 97 days ( that’s 90 days to wait for the check plus the time it take for the bank to have it’s slice as well ) then it’s a non starter. Put that in prospective do a job just after the New Year get paid Easter. That’s if you get paid at all. I, being of a kind heart thought that there was some kind of legal arrangement that if you got a bill you had to pay it. Perhaps I was an optimist or just naive, as it turns out not every one is of the same mind. Legal action to collect money owing is very expensive and most crooks know that if they can keep it under a 5 or 6 grand it’s just not worth perusing. Not only will going to court cost you a heap of cash but it all takes a lot of time to set up as well.

Along the way there was things like repairs that usually come along just when you though you were getting in front a bit, and personal injury, which can slow you down as well.

I was lucky that the ministry let me run my truck from my Dad’s yard so that wasn’t something I had to worry about, and as I was a time served diesel fitter I could do most of the maintenance work my self so I save a bit of cash there as well.

The rates being offered locally were rubbish, so much so that even the other OD’s in the area weren’t taking them on, anything that was good had already been taken, a long time ago. It was about that time I realized what The Masons, Rugby and Golf clubs were actually about.

I quickly became aware that it didn’t matter what kind of truck you had, how enthusiastic you were, how hard you wanted to work, or what you were willing to do, it simply didn’t matter. All that counted was who you knew that could put work on your
truck.
After about 9 months into being a OD I’d had enough, all that arrived in the mail was bills. and very few checks. But one day a bloke phoned offering 20 ton loads fresh veg from local farms to be delivered to whole sale markets. Loading was fairly local to where I was based, but the truck had to be loaded and tipped in one shift. That didn’t matter if it was Newcastle, Edinburgh, or Redruth. However the money was good, and with that and bit more work from Dad I was set.

Load Sunday lunch time Scottish borders, deliver early Monday morning Bristol. Load lunch time Monday Cardiff deliver Aberdeen Tuesday Morning, load Peterhead Tuesday afternoon, deliver London. I’m sure you get the picture.
Even then the money wasn’t fantastic but I was getting in front.

Running like that it soon became apparent that there were a few other guys doing the same thing as I used to see them all the time. They were the guys that had better kit, the wise ones had good high power second hand trucks, as they had to stand up to everything that was thrown at them. I never knew any one that ever took a day of let alone a holiday, and many lost their families long the way as they were never home. Unfortunately after about a couple of years of this kind of work one of the big guys started sniffing about and shortly after that it was all over.

On the whole Owner Drivers are Rate takers, not Rate makers, very few of them ever get a say in the rates, and have to take what is on offer.

And then there’s all the other crap like paper work and book keeping, if you think fuel is expensive wait until you have to employ the skills of a professional accountant.

Then there is the other thing where you are getting regular work, only to find that the company you’re working for goes bust.

I have known many Owner Drivers in my time and none of them have ever taken early retirement. About the only way to keep good work is to back hand the transport manager, I knew many that did, it’s not fair but that’s reality. I’m not saying everyone did it that way, but I don’t know anyone the that didn’t get up to something dodgy. Sooner or later you get to the point where you just say it’s not worth it.

If you have a good job and a good boss then stay put, being and owner driver is a dream for most drivers, which unfortunately turns out to be nightmare for to many, and it’s a hell of a price to pay to have your name on the door of a truck.
Out of all the people I know that have been OD’s who have tried a large spectrum of work form the 8 legger local quarry work to of top line trucks on International long haul none are still at it, some lasted longer than others, but in the end all gave up and move on to other things.

If you really want to get into transport then go to collage and study business, join the local rugby or golf club, and send your kids to private schools, or join the Masons, all of which are very good ways to make business contacts. The unfortunate thing about being an OD is that most people that try it are passionate about trucks and are lead by their hearts, what you need in business is hard reality and a cold heart, if the numbers don’t add up it’s not worth it.

I now live in different part of the world and have been involved in transport on 5 continents, and guess what? its the same all over. Sorry to rain on any ones parade, that might not be how it is for you, you might be on of the lucky ones, but for the majority of OD’s your at the bottom of the heap, and you’re first in line for the crap.

Jeff…

I like that, I like that a lot.

Opinions vary. The only thing I’ll say, it’s not a get rich quick scheme. You want £450 take home, get a job!!! You want to be yr own man, do yr own thing and have a tidy life style, no problem.

[overload]

For me,I found you wasn’t your own man cos you had jump through hoops and take whatever you got within reason. You don’t do what your customer want’s you to do legal or not you don’t get the work…you don’t get paid. I found I was under more presure as a OD then a regular company driver as if you didn’t do the job how they wanted it done they didn’t use you again. “I’m sorry i’m late road works, road closed got there a little late” The boss goes “err ok but not aceptable either we will have to re-work your rate or…” (another words, we won’t be using you again.) You don’t work for yourself, total myth, you work for everybody else at their pace and tune or you don’t work.

And what I went through I wouldn’t class it as a tidy lifestyle.

[continental_keith]

As an ex owner/driver, I just thought that I would add my imput…DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT…If your earning £450 a week now with only 2/3 nights out, then stay where you are. I don’t think for 1 second that there is any driver on here (or not) that has dreamed about going it alone at some stage in there lives, but it will only happen to about 18% of all UK drivers. I was 40 years old when I started in 1999, and have been an employed driver since 1982, so with 18 years experience under my belt, went for it. I had plenty of work offered from people that I knew within the industry, but with payment terms of 30 days, and even 60 days, the beginning was crippling. I started with an N reg (1996) Iveco eurotech 4x2 340bhp tractor unit, and an old grain tipping trailer that I hired from an old mate of mine for £100 per week. I was fairly lucky, because about 3 weeks after I started, the grain harvest was about to start here in Wiltshire, so my truck earnings was around £3k, to £3.5k a week, but it only lasted about 6 weeks of chasing combines around a field. That was because bulk tipping trailers was at a peak premium. If you owned a wheelbarrow, you could earn a small fortune, but after harvest, I was lucky to gross £1,800 a week, as it was back to hauling sand and stone out of the Mendip quarries for crap rates, and lot’s of competition. I worked about 65/75 hours a week Monday to Friday with the odd night out, (sometimes out all week) with repairs and maintenance done on a Saturday, and invoicing and paperwork took all of Sunday morning, leaving just a few hours Sunday afternoon with your family, or, in my case, at the pub for a well earned pint. I can remember one particular week when after a couple of punctures, I was left with just £20 profit, which was soon spent at the pub on Sunday afternoon. Yes, it was a great feeling being an owner/driver, and you cannot beat that feeling of having your name on the doors, but reality soon takes over, as its all about getting the right work with the right rates, as you can soon become a “busy fool”
Minor accidents suddenly become very expensive, fuel economy becomes paramount, and empty running is a NO NO.
At the same time, a mate of mine had a window cleaning round, was starting at 0900am, and was finished by 1630pm, with low outlay costs, and low running costs, was earning around £750.00 per week, and is still doing it. He’s just got a new car worth £25k, and takes a 3 week cruise around May time, and a 2 week carribean holiday in August. He lives in a nice 5 bedroomed house, and seems to enjoy the better things in life. As for me, I’m still driving for a living, and I’m still paying off my owner/driver debts after packing it in in 2005. I hope this little rant will put you off. If it hasn’t, then I hope your young enough and rich enough to be able to give it a go. GOOD LUCK, your going to need trailer loads of it…

[newmercman]

OVERLOAD:
For me,I found you wasn’t your own man cos you had jump through hoops and take whatever you got within reason. You don’t do what your customer want’s you to do legal or not you don’t get the work…you don’t get paid. I found I was under more presure as a OD then a regular company driver as if you didn’t do the job how they wanted it done they didn’t use you again. “I’m sorry i’m late road works, road closed got there a little late” The boss goes “err ok but not aceptable either we will have to re-work your rate or…” (another words, we won’t be using you again.) You don’t work for yourself, total myth, you work for everybody else at their pace and tune or you don’t work.

And what I went through I wouldn’t class it as a tidy lifestyle.

I agree with most of that, all except the lifestyle part, I had to jump through plenty if hoops and bite my tongue far too often, but I always earned ok, even doing crap second hand box work, but I never had a big lorry payment, even when I bought new lorries, they were IVECO, so only cost me two balloons and a goldfish

Saying that, I got out in 07, so it wasn’t quite as bad then as it is now

[strawgalore]

Yes you can make a living, you can make a good living, just forget about working for an other haulier, work for the man who wants it moving, , don’t have all your eggs in one basket, ( if been on my own 9 years)

[goaty]

Strawgalore:
Yes you can make a living, you can make a good living, just forget about working for an other haulier, work for the man who wants it moving, , don’t have all your eggs in one basket, ( if been on my own 9 years)

^ This, once again!

[goaty]

Rob K:
Ignore chavsdad. He’s just some clown pulling containers out of Teesport for buttons yet thinks he’s on a good craic. All the OOs with brains packed up shop years ago when fuel was rapidly heading towards a quid a litre. It’s only the clueless numpties that know nothing else that still slog their guts out at it believing that “it’ll get better soon” and think that the £500 a week they’re left with each week is a good income for running a truck.

Special! The cyber-■■■■ taker! Any closer to imparting any of your valuable experience as a haulage mogul yet?