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- “Save as much as you can.” Trucking is like any other business. You want to make sure you have a little bit of capital in the bank, and a rainy day fund for when “ship happens.” For instance, Jason’s truck just broke down, costing him $1,500 in repairs, and adding 8 extra days to a 5 week trip. Thankfully, he saves money by sleeping in his truck, and was able to to cover the expenses.
- “Don’t try to get rich quick.” In the beginning, you’ll be paying off your initial investments, and booking loads gradually, as you gain a reputation for good service and follow-through on uShip. Give it time, and do the best job possible on every shipment, and you’ll start to see the real money in due time.
- “Don’t do jobs for free.” uShip is a great site for booking back-hauls and supplemental loads, which is why oftentimes, carriers are able to offer such low prices on transportation. However, don’t go into the business thinking the name of the game is to underquote your competition at all costs. Book your anchor load first, make sure the trip you’re planning makes dollars and sense, and then lower your prices a bit as you pick up jobs along the way.
- “Get your DOT number. It’s not that big of a deal.” It’s important to understand the authority required to legally haul the freight you intend on specializing in. Get full commercial liability while you’re at it. If you have any questions about what you need to get started, contact the FMCSA.
We’d like to thank Jason for sharing his knowledge and experience.
