Cross Country truck driving is a lifestyle choice that many Americans are choosing to make in today’s post-covid economy. People make a great living on the road seeing the countryside while making deliveries nationwide. The trucking industry powers eighty percent of the American freight bill, and there is good money to be made.
Owning a commercial truck and trailer combination is the way most people go when starting their trucking adventure. Whichever track is on the road, the concepts of owning a semi-truck and making money remain the same. A day cab can be just as profitable as a team-driven long-haul hazmat driver; the methods most owners/operators use are standard practices in the industry for contractual employment.
Get Paid By Joining a Carrier Organization Large Enough to Support Your Needs
There are large corporations centered around supply chain management for owner-operators. Most of these companies are well known in the trucking industry and actively promote the owner-operator programs internally and externally.
You are good to go if you already own a truck; however, most companies will purchase a lease if you don’t own your truck. Either by “leasing to own” your truck or financing it outright through a third-party finance company, these solutions come with very well-written contracts.
There are two types of pay with these programs depending on the carrier. An owner-operator could receive a percentage of the overall total for the load or get paid by the mileage. Paid by the mileage is usually the way most inexperienced drivers go because it provides enhanced job security.
Every load is an offer giving you the right to refuse the shipments. You should know your numbers ahead of time before accepting any load from a carrier; not all cargoes will pay high, but some may get you into a better area for an opportunity to get a high-paying load.
Tips on how to Make Money with This Strategy
- Know your market and popular areas. Avoid taking loads that can get you stuck in a place for a week waiting on a new load
- Gain access to a continuous steady repeatable route
- Keep the wheels turning on the truck; the more those wheels are moving, the more money you will make
- Don’t be afraid to take an LTL load on the way to a place if you have the room in the trailer; it might just be what made the month
Contracting with a Local Grainery or Smaller Company Directly
Some factories or granaries will hire owners/operators on a contractual basis to deliver high-value loads to their customers. These contracts provide a stable and predictable income stream. For example, you could leave your home area every Sunday night, drive three days, deliver, load up from a place close by and return home bringing supplies into the company or a similar structure.
Use the DAT Freight Board to Plan your Routes and Contract New Loads
The DAT Freight Board is located in most truck stops nationwide. Becoming a member is as easy as filling out an online form and submitting the payment for the package that you choose. The lowest package even gives you access to the market to accept or negotiate load rates.
The Dat board will also have different load types available, such as a single Pallet that may only pay a small portion, but it is an excellent add-on to your current load. The recommended path is first to use the lowest priced package, then expand into the more extensive packages as you need more resources.
There are other load boards available also, such as get loads and uber freight. They provide similar services, each with its own niche’ in the trucking industry. Either way, there is more than meets the eye than just the price being paid. Considering the weight of the cargo, the amount of fuel, stops, time allotted, and load volume, turnaround time, deadhead miles, and other indirect costs associated with each load is necessary to succeed using load boards.
One of the biggest complaints seen when using load boards is connection errors and user errors. Mainly having technical issues and not behavioral complaints, the DAT board remains the most competitive and highest demanding platform amongst truckers.
Enjoying the Experience is What Pays the Most
The experience of living on the road is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Everyone is not prepared for the challenges that truck drivers face daily. The more the wheels are turning, the more money a truck driver will make. As long as the budget is done and financial responsibility is a strength that a person possesses, owning a semi-truck and being an owner/operator is a fun career.
