Hie guys, sorry for this long and probably boring post. I am trying to find out the cost of running a private unit and trailer. I was raised in Africa by a dad who ran a trucking company comprising of ERFs imported from the Uk. Trucking has all i have wanted to do since i was a young lad and my dad noticed my passion. So he made me an owner operator at the age of 18(in Africa) by donating one of his erfs ec14. I had a good time with it for a few years and it gave me so much happiness. It was never about the money, it was about the joy of trucking. I soon ran my company into the ground through the worsening economy, immaturity and not paying attention to running costs. I want to experience that massive power and roar of the ec14 again and i want to own one so i can have some fun on the weekends. Currently working in the waste industry driving a scania p360 tanker and i am thoroughly disappointed with the automatic trucks flooding the industry and taking the skill outta the job, Its not what i signed up for by choosing a career as a truck driver. I must say i enjoy the job itself and the wages for hours worked are in the top 90% of the haulage industry. If it wasn’t for this i would have gone and worked for some of the haulage firms i have seen running ERFs. I have seen ec14 unit and trailer that would cost me a small sum of money to own privately. I would just like to find out how much i should be looking to pay for running costs for private use on the weekend. Fuel,tax, tyres, mot, insurance, parking etc This really is my dream guys and i would appreciate advice on this
wouldn’t you like a good women instead ?
You ever kissed a girl son?
joe royal:
You ever kissed a girl son?
Yes sir i have! I call her my wife
Please fellow truckers! Have mercy and don’t reap me part for loving trucks. We all have different interests
I think a better question would have been is there any one man bands looking at putting another truck on the road willing to go 50/50 on it.
Hard enough for experienced guys to turn a profit never mind a newbie. All about who you know if you can survive or not.
merc0447:
I think a better question would have been is there any one man bands looking at putting another truck on the road willing to go 50/50 on it.
Hard enough for experienced guys to turn a profit never mind a newbie. All about who you know if you can survive or not.
You clearly didn’t read the OP’s post - too many long words?
Newbie7064:
I would just like to find out how much i should be looking to pay for running costs for private use on the weekend. Fuel,tax, tyres, mot, insurance, parking etc This really is my dream guys and i would appreciate advice on this
Newbie7064:
wages for hours worked are in the top 90% of the haulage industry.
That is one sweet deal you have there.
■■■■ up Santa or I’ll gee you a slap you cheeky prick. I skimmed the op post and assumed he wanted to start out, no rent a truck for a bloody weekend 
Least I try and help folk, instead of being a constant smartarse you bellend.
isaac hunt:
Newbie7064:
wages for hours worked are in the top 90% of the haulage industry.That is one sweet deal you have there.
Its a very sweet deal, other helpful things is that i have manager that cares about his drivers, always pulling in guys into the office to ask if they are happy with the current arrangements and if not, what can he do to help, doesn’t think anything of paying £30 allowance for overnights and up to £25 parking. Very rarely do we do nights out but the guy will put someone out for a whole month if they are struggling financially. I am lucky to be in my job
merc0447:
I think a better question would have been is there any one man bands looking at putting another truck on the road willing to go 50/50 on it.Hard enough for experienced guys to turn a profit never mind a newbie. All about who you know if you can survive or not.
Honestly i am not trying to start a self -employed operation here. I just wanna drive a classic truck on the weekends.
Best serious advice I can give is go on a classic truck forum, this forum is mostly for working drivers.
Wouldn’t cost much. Five grand should buy you a pretty decent ERF, you can tax it as “Private” and so the VED will only be a couple of hundred quid a year, insurance shouldn’t be much more (there are members here who run restored trucks, they’ll point you in the right direction).
Parking will be a bit of a variable, depending on whereabouts in the country you are, and what kind of deal you can cut, but again I’d be looking at paying a couple of hundred a year for that too. The MOT is only a little bit more expensive than a car MOT, and unlike an operator it won’t matter if you do things the old way, where you took a vehicle for MOT, and mended the things it failed on- failing an MOT is a huge “no-no” for an operator nowadays.
Tyres, well if there is a half-decent amount of tread on them, you’ll probably never have to buy one. Diesel, depends how much you use it but if it’s only for a hobby then you’ll hardly use any. There’s no reason why you can’t run a hobby truck and a few folk on here do.
merc0447:
[zb] up Santa or I’ll gee you a slap you cheeky prick. I skimmed the op post and assumed he wanted to start out, no rent a truck for a bloody weekendLeast I try and help folk, instead of being a constant smartarse you bellend.
You have just called Santa a prick and a bellend ! 
shame on you.
I would be watching my back if I were you, those elves can be vicious little bastds if you get on the wrong side of them, and especislly if you dis their leader.
Newby7064ive got a few when you get them up to scratch tax about 165 insurance nfu opprox 180 fuel not cheap look after them not to bad I love them you will have a lot of fun good luck regards rowly
robroy:
merc0447:
[zb] up Santa or I’ll gee you a slap you cheeky prick. I skimmed the op post and assumed he wanted to start out, no rent a truck for a bloody weekendLeast I try and help folk, instead of being a constant smartarse you bellend.
You have just called Santa a prick and a bellend !
I would be watching my back if I were you, those elves can be vicious little bastds if you get on the wrong side of them, and especislly if you dis their leader.
Guess someone got the wrong end of Santa’s sack once…
rward:
Newby7064ive got a few when you get them up to scratch tax about 165 insurance nfu opprox 180 fuel not cheap look after them not to bad I love them you will have a lot of fun good luck regards rowly
This ^^ is about your best reply ,its getting them up to scratch the rests easy .
The time you spend driving your private truck, you’ll come under eu rules, so it may cause you issues with weekly rests
el_presidente:
robroy:
merc0447:
[zb] up Santa or I’ll gee you a slap you cheeky prick. I skimmed the op post and assumed he wanted to start out, no rent a truck for a bloody weekendLeast I try and help folk, instead of being a constant smartarse you bellend.
You have just called Santa a prick and a bellend !
I would be watching my back if I were you, those elves can be vicious little bastds if you get on the wrong side of them, and especislly if you dis their leader.
Guess someone got the wrong end of Santa’s sack once…
Once?
Santa can shove his satsuma and walnuts up his ■■■■■■! 
Evil8Beezle:
el_presidente:
robroy:
merc0447:
[zb] up Santa or I’ll gee you a slap you cheeky prick. I skimmed the op post and assumed he wanted to start out, no rent a truck for a bloody weekendLeast I try and help folk, instead of being a constant smartarse you bellend.
You have just called Santa a prick and a bellend !
I would be watching my back if I were you, those elves can be vicious little bastds if you get on the wrong side of them, and especislly if you dis their leader.
Guess someone got the wrong end of Santa’s sack once…
Once?
Santa can shove his satsuma and walnuts up his ■■■■■■!
I’ve had a word, he’s tempted and considering your offer.
