i know you probably hear this all the time but im thinking of going out on my own and buying a 7.5 ton or 18 tonner along with a large size van the problem i have is where to source the work are these load web sites actually any good. any advice will be appricated
Welcome to TruckNet Jay-ldn
finding work first is always a good idea 
from what I read on here the load websites can be ok if you’re looking for a odd load to fill in but not if they’re your only source of work
ps . my eyesight is a bit dodgy but you don’t need to post in extra large writing
Denis F:
ps . my eyesight is a bit dodgy but you don’t need to post in extra large writing
It seems I was fixing it while you were replying.
Hi jay-ldn, 
jay-ldn:
i know you probably hear this all the time but im thinking of going out on my own and buying a 7.5 ton or 18 tonner along with a large size van the problem i have is where to source the work are these load web sites actually any good. any advice will be appricated
You’re making the same initial mistake that a lot of people make. You need to choose your vehicle to suit the work you have, not pick the vehicle first and then try and find work to suit it.
Go out and find what decent work is available in your area and then decide on what vehicle to buy. As a general rule the load websites are fine for backloads but if you try and base your whole business around them then you’ll almost certainly fail as the rates on offer are generally very poor.
Paul
Not having actually gone out and done it myself, but during my CPC training the tutor said that to get up and running you realistically needed around 10 vehicles. And that was before the increases in fuel duty, margins squeezed, maintenance, road tax, insurance, office staff, drivers wages and at the same time going out and finding reliable consistent work.
When there are large transport companies going to the wall every week it makes you wonder if it is worth bothering setting up as a 1 man band.
Malc44:
Not having actually gone out and done it myself, but during my CPC training the tutor said that to get up and running you realistically needed around 10 vehicles. And that was before the increases in fuel duty, margins squeezed, maintenance, road tax, insurance, office staff, drivers wages and at the same time going out and finding reliable consistent work.
.
CPC trainers usually talk ■■■■■■■■ 
When there are large transport companies going to the wall every week it makes you wonder if it is worth bothering setting up as a 1 man band
It’s a difficult time to start up at the moment
Agreed… In this current econonic climate it could be potential suicide at the moment trying to set up a haulage company. If you had reliable well paid work then yeah I guess it would be fine, but who can say that at the moment unless of course you could get a signed contract from a potential customer guaranteeing regular work for a long time. The country as a whole is on it’s arse and there is no sign of it getting better any time soon.
The company I worked for were a specialist heavy haulage outfit and being a niche market with few other players it was a little easier. Also having the specialised knowledge, employees and equipment gave us the edge when pitching for work. You could also command better rates as well.
Malc44:
Not having actually gone out and done it myself, but during my CPC training the tutor said that to get up and running you realistically needed around 10 vehicles.
This sounds like a classic case of “Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach it”!!!
A Royal Marine Commando friend of mine told me that!!
Ross.
Malc44:
CPC training the tutor said that to get up and running you realistically needed around 10 vehicles.
What a load of rubbish! CPC tutors are coming out with some right gems. Maybe there should be a book made called ‘100 best things heard on a driver CPC course’
(Not having a go at you Malc by the way)
No worries Grasshopper.
The trainers usually have very little real-life experience of trucks and the transport industry. More often than not they are reading from the textbooks.
I have worked in transport long enough to know how it works.
Although setting up at the moment would not be a walk in the park. In any case 100% respect to anyone who makes a go if it.
bigr250:
Malc44:
Not having actually gone out and done it myself, but during my CPC training the tutor said that to get up and running you realistically needed around 10 vehicles.This sounds like a classic case of “Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach it”!!!
A Royal Marine Commando friend of mine told me that!!
Ross.
I think the CPC trainer was reading this 