driver

Steven Spielberg

Hi everyone I have never owned a truck, but I've always had an interest in them .I have spent the last 12 years as truck driver and I thinking about buying my own truck or tractor unit but I don't know how to get loads I spoke with lkw walter and DSV on the phone but they don't promise anything and also their rates are very bad .Does anyone know what is the way to to get loads ,I hear good things about TimoCom .Thanks

bladebrew

There are a few posts on Irishrigs.com about becoming an owner operator, be warned they are not good!

johntoc

I too have been giving this some thought. I'm on the road 8 years now working for the same company. But I would not go out on my own unless I was 100% guaranteed the truck was moving 5 days a week minimum.
How much do the likes of dsv pay

aujopimur

You'll starve.

johntoc

I would love to hear from owner drivers. How hard is it to compete with the larger companies. I hear Dublin is getting busy now but I guess the larger companies are getting the extra loads now and not being offered to owner operators.

uck51js9zml2yt

I spent 25 years in transport and logistics and outsourced a lot of my driving work to owner operators.

Its not the way to go. In many cases they quoted for work and lost money on the job just to get it and be in for a shot on the next job (also under quoted)
Not to mention the cost of running a vehicle and loss of earnings when its not being used or off the road for maintenance.

Add to than insurance and fuel which will be going up in the near future due to the dollar euro rate.

I was in the business when fuel was going up and had to bring in a pricing structure based on miles driven, vehicle type and current brent fuel calculations.
I reviewed it every 3 months and gave increases to the firms without the need for them to ask. It stopped them loosing money and us loosing good contractors. Not everyone is so lucky.

johntoc

That's a great way to treat your subs. If you were in my situation itching to go out on my own how would you go about it. I've adr licence for tanks and packages and have lots of experience discharging tanks. I am going to do the dgsa shortly the exam is in June. So I can carry dangerous goods when I'm out on my own. What do you think?

uck51js9zml2yt

johntoc wrote: »

That's a great way to treat your subs. If you were in my situation itching to go out on my own how would you go about it. I've adr licence for tanks and packages and have lots of experience discharging tanks. I am going to do the dgsa shortly the exam is in June. So I can carry dangerous goods when I'm out on my own. What do you think?

I personally wouldn't go out on my own.
If you are you need to sit down and do the maths first.
Overheads, a living wage, a margin and leeway for increases. Not to forget time off the road for maintenance, breakdowns and holidays.
See what it will cost you per month for the kind of work you want to do and then see what rates are being paid.
If you can cover all the above then research the companies who can give you work.
You'll need a full CPC as well as the transport manager of your firm.

johntoc

ya I have done the transport manager Cpc and all driver cpcs up to date. Dgsa course will cost over €1200 but will be worth it to be able to transport hazardous loads if I can get out on my own.

When calculating rates is this correct. lets say 1 load from cork to Dublin 5 days per week. Cost of tax and insurance, cost of loan/lease of truck and or trailer, maintenance of truck divided down so I know how much it costs per day, my own wage for the day and estimate of diesel cost. What am I missing???