1. Know Your Specifications and PreferencesThe first step for serious semi truck buyers is to know your specifications. Consider what types of loads you want to haul, and find out exactly what your minimum specifications are. Then, don’t even look at trucks that don’t meet those specifications. If you’re not confident in the specifications you will need in your rig, find other drivers in similar roles. Ask them what has worked for them. Verify that the specifications that you’ve seen online are really enough to get the job done. Once you’ve met your minimum specifications for your haul type, it’s time to be realistic for yourself. Do you have any strong tractor preferences on vehicle type or features? While there may be some features you will ultimately sacrifice for cost, it’s important to know your personal “need-to-haves.” You’re going to spend a lot of time in this truck, so don’t waste your money on something you don’t love! 2. Decide New vs. UsedThere are pros and cons to both new and used trucks. The choice between the two depends a lot on your needs and preferences as a driver. We spoke with Alessandra Szul, President of Flatbush Freight Express about buying new vs. used trucks, and she shared that their decision is based heavily on whether they are financing the truck.
Her bottom line? “We tend to find that in the tier of trucks we purchase, we have the same level of repairs and maintenance, new or used.” Ultimately, there are pros and cons to both paths. It’s important to choose the option that allows you to stay financially stable in the short and long term while meeting your goals. New TrucksA new truck is arguably a more reliable initial investment. Since you are the first owner, you know the vehicle’s history. The seller will give you detailed information on the vehicle before you decide whether to buy the truck. Also, new trucks won’t require significant replacement parts or maintenance for a while. They may also come with a factory warranty to see you through the first little while of truck ownership. If there is a factory warranty, make sure to read the fine print closely to know exactly what is and is not covered. The biggest downside of a new truck (and it’s no small thing) is cost. New trucks are considerably more expensive than used trucks. For some drivers, the peace of mind may be worth it, but many drivers look for a reliable used truck to reduce the cost. Used TrucksThe alternative to a new truck is a used truck. Used trucks are less expensive and can be a great option, but pay close attention to details when buying a semi truck. First and foremost, buy from a reputable source. Reputable dealerships should be able to show complete records for the dealer. Individual owner operators looking to sell a truck can also work well, but we recommend only buying from a trusted driver who you know well. In either case, it’s a good idea to talk to the truck’s previous drivers if possible. They know the truck better than anyone else. When we asked Alessandra about her criteria for buying used trucks, she shared this advice:
She went on to say that, “The biggest tip, is to spend the extra money to get a 3rd party to do an independent inspection and ask for a copy of it. Don’t just take the dealer’s word for it, no matter how “big” of a dealer they are.” Spending a little extra for the peace of mind of a fair and honest inspection is well worth the cost. If you’re able to get a full vehicle history and the inspection comes back clean, you probably have a great rig on your hands at a fraction of the “new” price. Test the TruckBefore you walk off the lot with a new semi truck, make sure you test the truck. You know what a good truck sounds like. Start the engine and do a thorough inspection as you look and listen for anything that seems out of order. Take the truck out for a test drive. Does it handle smoothly? Is there anything in the movement of the cab that could be a sign of trouble below? We spoke with Trucker Style Shawn, a truck driver and now fleet owner, and he shared his advice for what to look at before buying a semi truck:
Just as important as truck performance is comfort. Spend some time in the cab. Is it a good fit for you? Is it comfortable enough to spend thousands of hours in? Be honest with yourself about comfort. You might be able to compromise on some features if everything else looks good, but a truck that is not comfortable is not a good investment. 4. Know When to Walk Away, and Know When to RunIf you’re buying a semi truck, you might not buy the first (or even the 10th!) truck that you look at. Be patient. An investment this big is worth taking your time on. Do your research ahead of time, and create a list of your most important features, specifications, and your price range before you visit a vehicle. This list will keep your priorities front and center – an important thing when you’re tempted by a nice-looking vehicle that doesn’t meet your criteria. Trucker Style Shawn left us with this great advice:
At the end of the day, you have to choose the truck that’s right for you. Walk away from anything that doesn’t meet your needs. On the other hand, when you find a reliable rig that meets your needs and has a great history, you’re ready to buy! That’s a great truck. Find Owner Operator JobsWe help owner operators match to companies that meet their professional qualifications and personal lifestyle preferences. The post Buying a Semi Truck: 4 Tips to Consider appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct
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There aren’t many jobs where you can say that you are literally building your community from the ground up. As a ready mix driver, that’s exactly what you’ll do. Ready mix drivers work with cement or concrete and spend most of their day outside. These drivers work with a wide variety of customers, and you can see the proof of their hard work in the buildings that form the heart of every community. What is a Ready Mix Driver?The main job of a ready mix driver is to deliver concrete or cement to a job site. That job site could be for a residential home or a commercial building depending on your company and the clients they serve. Ready mix drivers work in a wide range of employment situations. They may work for a concrete contractor, as an independent contractor, or as part of a concrete delivery service. In most cases, drivers will be responsible for loading and unloading, so this is a labor-intensive job, but don’t let that scare you away. We spoke with Marcus, a Ready Mix driver with PAHL Ready Mix Concrete, and he shared this about why he loves his work:
Ready mix jobs can be a good fit for drivers who have experience as well as drivers just getting started in trucking. Job RequirementsTo get started as a ready mix driver, you will need a license and experience. Ready mix drivers must have a CDL A or B license depending on the job. In addition, employers typically look for experience in similar jobs such as tanker and liquid hauling when possible. Experience with automotive maintenance is also a plus because ready mix trucks require more cleaning than many other types of trucks. Requirements for ready mix drivers don’t stop with driving experience and licensing. There are a few distinct personality traits that are very important for this haul type. Given the amount of labor required for loading and unloading, a high level of physical fitness is a must. Similarly, a strong work ethic is extremely important for ready mix drivers. Employers want drivers they can rely on who know how to overcome obstacles and will work hard to get the job done. ProsPay & RouteReady mix jobs typically pay well. This is particularly true considering that many positions only ask for a CDL B license. Many (but not all) ready mix jobs are paid hourly. If you’re looking to bring in some extra pay, ready mix jobs in the heavy season are a great way to do it. Ready Mix Driver Marcus also shared his perspective on his typical routine:
Ready mix jobs are a great mix of job consistency and new people and places to meet as you deliver loads. Customer InteractionIf you’re a social driver, ready mix jobs might be perfect for you. Depending on your customers and routes, you may have a high level of customer interaction. As a result, strong customer service skills are a huge plus for ready mix drivers. Ready mix drivers will often return regularly to the same construction site, so drivers who can build lasting relationships with customers are extremely valuable. Job SatisfactionTrucking is about having pride in your ride. Ready mix driving is no different. In this job, drivers get the satisfaction of knowing that you helped build something. Before you came, there was nothing. When your work is done, you have created something that will have a lasting impact on your community. There aren’t many jobs that can truly say that. ConsJob SeasonalityThe nature of concrete work means that ready mix jobs are highly seasonal. Depending on where you live and the weather conditions there, the length of the season varies. As ready mix driver Marcus puts it:
At the day to day level, ready mix drivers have to be prepared to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions. ScheduleReady mix drivers don’t sleep in. Most days will start early in the morning, so 6:00 AM start times are not out of the question. Most drivers get used to this routine pretty quickly, but if mornings aren’t your thing, ready mix work will be a challenge. Job PhysicalityFrom loading and unloading to cleaning the truck, ready mix drivers have to be in top physical shape. A lot of labor is required from these drivers. In addition to loading and unloading, ready mix drivers are responsible for cleaning and maintenance. Because concrete can harden in the trucks, drivers must carefully clean their truck at the end of every shift. On a good day, this might be primarily hose work, but tough concrete slabs might require drivers to chip away until the pieces come off. Ready mix drivers must be in top physical condition. Finding Ready Mix JobsOne of the best places to look for ready mix jobs is in your community. Most ready mix jobs are local work, so a drive around town or a call to ready mix companies in your area are great places to start. To find a job that is a great fit for your qualifications and personal lifestyle preferences, you can also check out Drive My Way. We match qualified drivers with companies that fit each driver’s specific priorities. Find a Ready Mix Driving JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post Everything to Know as a Ready Mix Driver appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to trucking insurance for owner operators. You’ll have different insurance options available based on your haul type, range, level of experience, and driving record. Also, insurance requirements vary by state, so be sure to review your state’s regulations for your specific haul type and needs. We spoke with several trucking insurance experts, and they shared their top tips for choosing insurance as an owner operator. What Types of Insurance Do Owner Operators Need?The exact trucking insurance that you will need as an owner operator will vary. The best thing to do is talk to an insurance retailer that specializes in trucking insurance. They will be able to give you details on your specific situation. That said, here are a few basic insurance types to know: Liability InsurancePrimary liability insurance covers damage to the tractor or trailer, and most owner operators need a minimum of $750,000 in coverage. That number will go up if you’re hauling hazmat or other riskier loads. Adding physical damage coverage to liability coverage can protect against potholes, weather conditions, and similar damage. Cargo CoverageCargo coverage protects the goods that you haul. In the event of an accident, you need to know that the load you’re carrying is covered. Cargo coverage is specific to owner operators who are running under their own authority. Non-Trucking-Liability (NTL) & Bobtail CoverageIf you are an owner operator who is running under a company’s authority, you will need NTL and Bobtail coverage. NTL covers drivers when they use their truck for non-businesses purposes such as a stop at the grocery store or an outing with friends. Bobtail policies also cover drivers who are returning from a deadhead load while still under dispatch. If you are partnering with a specific company, David Zahm, Director of New Business at Robley Insurance, encourages owner operators to do their research:
That information is powerful for drivers. You have to protect your own safety record, and a company with a poor CAB report is a huge red flag. Passenger Accident CoveragePassenger accident coverage provides insurance protection for guest passengers in your vehicle. While your passengers may not be part of the nuts and bolts of operating your truck, people are one of the most valuable assets in life. Passenger Accident Coverage helps give you peace of mind when you have someone else in the truck with you. What Factors Affect Insurance Prices?Trucking insurance for owner operators varies greatly. The level of insurance coverage that you need will affect pricing, but there are several other factors as well. CDL experience plays a big role in being approved for trucking insurance and pricing. According to One80 Intermediaries’ Chief Underwriting Officer, Joy LaFrance, underwriters want to see a minimum of 3 years of CDL experience and a CDL license in the state that you operate. Drivers with less than 3 years of experience may have a hard time finding insurance from a retailer that specializes in transportation. Underwriters and insurance retailers need evidence of a clean driving record and good business management. One80 Intermediaries’ Chief Underwriting Officer, Joy LaFrance, noted: “Preferred programs don’t typically take anyone that’s new in business less than 3 years unless they have 5 years prior experience. So the pricing for the first 2 to 3 years could be astronomical until they have proof that their loss history is good, that they are maintaining driver files, and that they are maintaining their vehicle.” Jeff Ice, the retired Transportation Practice Leader for Risk Strategies, confirmed:
An owner operator’s driving record is another factor. A good safety record is critical. Insurance carriers will look at inspection records, hours of service violations, driver fitness tests, logbook violations, and truck maintenance records among other things. They may also look for proper signage and safety features on your vehicle like fog lamps or deer guards. A final determining factor on insurance price is down payment. If you are able to pay the insurance premium in full, insurance carriers may discount the total cost. The full lump sum is a big upfront cost, but it’s usually cheaper overall. What Will Your Carrier Provide?If you are an owner operator partnering with a single carrier or are a lease purchase driver, that carrier may offer insurance. If they do, read the fine print closely to decide whether it is the best option for you. Ask questions to understand what is and is not covered. The insurance may not cover you while you are not operating under that company’s authority. That includes the time you may be working with other companies or traveling home when you are off duty. In addition, make sure that the carrier offers coverage levels that meet your specific insurance needs. Insufficient coverage will impact your eligibility to haul certain types of freight and can affect your bottom line. When asked about carrier insurance, Chief Underwriting Officer Joy LaFrance shared this: “When they’re operating under the authority of someone else, what happens is, if [owner operators] leave and decide ‘I’m going to go on my own now,’ they have no history. So they basically are starting over. Unless I can get the data from that motor carrier, with all the claims, by driver, there’s no way to actually assess [owner operator] history.” LaFrance added that when drivers use a carrier’s equipment and, “are only asked to get a non-trucking liability or bobtail liability, that does not count as primary insurance. We can’t use your non-trucking or bobtail liability for proof that you had no incidents.” To decide if insurance through a carrier is right for you, think about your future goals. Will you keep expanding your business? Will you eventually run under your own authority and need a good insurance record? If so, you may do better with an insurance plan that is independent of any carriers so you can prove your record. Where Can You Find Providers?The best insurance retailers for owner operators specialize in transportation. A generalist won’t necessarily understand all the nuances that you need for the job. Shop around for both price and good coverage. If you are a new owner operator, you may have to rely on generalized national insurance carriers. When possible though, look for specific trucking insurance retailers. Risk Strategies’ Jeff Ice offered this suggestion:
One of the best ways to find a top trucking insurance policy is to ask owner operators! Find out where they get insurance and what they like or don’t like. There’s nothing better than a firsthand account, and other drivers aren’t trying to sell you on anything. An experienced owner operator is one of the best places to get suggestions. Robley Insurance’s David Zahm left us with this advice for sustainable growth:
Becoming an owner operator is an exciting step, and trucking insurance is a key part of that transition. Successful owner operators build slowly toward long-term goals and focus on sustainable growth. That’s an investment in yourself worth making. Find an Owner Operator JobDrive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post Trucking Insurance for Owner Operators: 4 Tips to Know appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct |
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