I’m looking to start a haulage company to do container work mainly but the few people I spoke to are all very

[PedPenny]

I’m looking to start a haulage company to do container work mainly but the few people I spoke to are all very negative about it and is making me think if it’s that bad the haulage industry and if there's money to be made. I just hope I can get some honest opinions here.

[ThoDraven]

The rates are very low and late payers

[EmbEmery]

I've started 2 company's and was told I would fail, overcrowded market, never make it
And I did
Go for it

[jonarach08]

I've started 2 company's and was told I would fail, overcrowded market, never make it
And I did
Go for it

why did you start the second?

[EmbEmery]

I've started 2 company's and was told I would fail, overcrowded market, never make it
And I did
Go for it

why did you start the second?

expanded

[GaviClear]

A friend of mine made a £million last year.....but...he started with £2 million.

[JanVander]

It's dead at the moment. If you have the resources go for it. The country is in recession. Some companies on containers have laid off sub contractors.

[stuFluent]

I liked container work

[jeffMercy]

Legend has it it’s a very tough way to make a living. Loading the boxes takes too long, the rate paid is low and the best jobs go to whoever dishes the work out. My advice is find your own customers, charge a fair rate and no st importantly, get paid! Agreeing terms is as vital as finding the work. If you get that wrong, you won’t last 5 minutes.

[PauTagz]

There is good work out there.
I been at it over 40 years.
Not as good as the old days. But still money to be made.
Just try to get your own work.
Be careful of people's promises
You can make good money driving for a good company.
But. He who dares Rodney

[PauSpinn]

Stay away my friend you get nothing out of it

[PauSpinn]

Keep away mate you’re get burn the big firms love new people coz there give you all the shit the odd good load to keep you sweet but there favourites get the cream you’re live and die in that truck to keep afloat iv pack up after 40 years and iv had real good work my own work and it’s fxxked now go and drive for someone mate much better off and it going to get worse get out now if you can the industry is full of liars Transport management that just want you to do the job for a little as possible they don’t give a fuck for you they care for them and nobody else good luck my friend ho and we’re pricks lol lol lol

[radethook]

Very difficult nowadays I wouldn't do it

[davement51]

Seriously I have my own truck at the moment and if I didn’t have it now, I wouldn’t get it. The industry is not in a great place at the moment!

[LeeDiddy]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

[davement51]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

how are you doing with your own truck and keeping it on the road at the moment?

[LeeDiddy]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

how are you doing with your own truck and keeping it on the road at the moment?

working hard there are many options on this job, maybe not in maritime container but you'll Always find a good pay rate... Of course if you start with a full option Scania 750hp and a similar trailer you start on bad base atm

[WoodNoff]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

why are these people pricks. They were not giving bad advice. Its hard out there at the moment for a lot of people. And to start up costing is always a gamble. One I would maybe go for but the fella was asking for advice. There wasn't anything negative and they are called pricks Mmm

[LeeDiddy]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

why are these people pricks. They were not giving bad advice. Its hard out there at the moment for a lot of people. And to start up costing is always a gamble. One I would maybe go for but the fella was asking for advice. There wasn't anything negative and they are called pricks Mmm

i said that because for a lot of people " trying it " is already too much. Of course it I'll be hard and he gonna need to work a lot at the beginning. It's si easy to find someone telling to you: don't do it you gonna fail at it" because in this job half and more of the drivers are disgusted and complains all the Time about this job.

[WoodNoff]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

why are these people pricks. They were not giving bad advice. Its hard out there at the moment for a lot of people. And to start up costing is always a gamble. One I would maybe go for but the fella was asking for advice. There wasn't anything negative and they are called pricks Mmm

i said that because for a lot of people " trying it " is already too much. Of course it I'll be hard and he gonna need to work a lot at the beginning. It's si easy to find someone telling to you: don't do it you gonna fail at it" because in this job half and more of the drivers are disgusted and complains all the Time about this job.

Im sure hes done his homework maybe not but to ask isntva bad thing of course you may get some negative comments but also a lot of positive ones.
He sounds like a grown arsed man that im sure will make the right decision by going with his gut feeling. Good luck to him what ever he chooses to do

[radethook]

Dude the only way to succeed is to not listen to theses pricks... Try it and if it doesn't work you have you own truck and Can become a broker for any company...

strong words their mate not nice

[thollerer41]

You gotta try it m8 because you will always wonder wat if ,try fridge work use there trls

[garyphas32]

Your wasting your time on containers, I work for a large firm and they have laid off all the subbies, market is too saturated and rates are low

[SpraVash]

nah..lay low keep your money

[KarlRox]

Dont listen to others mate, just do it and study all

[davihnin36]

You'd be better off on Amazon traction with all the other halfwits that think they're going to get rich at least You have people to talk to.

[shaBauer]

Container works very quite at the moment, never seen London Gateway so quite in 5 years, I'm told by other drivers Felixstowe is that same, the world economy has slowed down which is affecting the amount of containers needing moving

[HarrGroup]

Container works very quite at the moment, never seen London Gateway so quite in 5 years, I'm told by other drivers Felixstowe is that same, the world economy has slowed down which is affecting the amount of containers needing moving

was in Felixstowe last Wednesday. Have never seen it that empty.

[MoorElite]

Been there, done that, gave up and would never do it again. Enough said…..

[cumyton22]

Only real money to be made in haulage now is specialist transport and that requires expensive equipment...

[wesMatter]

Well you can make a million just start with 2 million first or find a drug barron to back you.

[kunGuru]

Nothing ventured nothing gained give it a go. At least you tried. I had the opportunity to go to Australia in the early 70ts mother-in-law law put her two penith in .now its if only

[BearJeans]

If you can afford to buy the Tractor Unit and Trailer outright and have enough to get you through the first 60/90 days then you can make a living. If not you’re just a slave to the finance companies and the cost of borrowing.
You also really need to get your own work. Pulling containers is ok to fall back on during your quiet periods but relying on it as your main income is not going to net you much of an income and probably less than working as a driver for someone else.

[GatoExec]

Forget it

[darrZero]

Put your capital into either buying a bag house or a ton of coke ,loads more profit and less grief

[owetypiro]

The industry is simply on its arse at the moment .
And with the driver market flooded with all the new passes , which will just continue to drive down rates , and rates for that elusive work anyway in the current climate.
Like previous trades I thought driving would see me through , but it’s time to do something else again !
So no I wouldn’t take that gamble of my own unit at the moment , but good luck

[scrunnMJ]

there are a lot of negative and positive comments on your question of becoming a owner driver,
Well here's my 2 pennies worth,
My time as a owner driver, 30 yrs ago was very stressful, lasted about 4 yrs, I was so convinced that I would be successful, hind sight is a wonderful thing, the reasons that I didn't make it work was, trusting people, false promises, as someone mentioned it is a case of "if your face fits" not getting paid on time, 7 to 8 months was not uncommon,there was good times when I thought that I was going to make it work, but there's a saying that fits " life is like being a pubic hair on a toilet seat, someone will come along and piss you off".
Do I regret it, No, it was something that I wanted to do, and I can say that I gave it a go i didn't want to be thinking what if, my advice to you is do your homework, rates, payment, 30/60/90 days, dont put all your eggs in one basket,you'll find that owner drivers who are established with a company will think of you as a threat, take any promises of work with a pinch of salt, obviously its your decision and I would not say do it or not, but whatever you do I wish you well,
PS if you can find a old film called Hell Drivers, that gives you a good idea of what it was like in my situation.
I'll sit back and wait for the comments lol

[HartBurnt]

there are a lot of negative and positive comments on your question of becoming a owner driver,
Well here's my 2 pennies worth,
My time as a owner driver, 30 yrs ago was very stressful, lasted about 4 yrs, I was so convinced that I would be successful, hind sight is a wonderful thing, the reasons that I didn't make it work was, trusting people, false promises, as someone mentioned it is a case of "if your face fits" not getting paid on time, 7 to 8 months was not uncommon,there was good times when I thought that I was going to make it work, but there's a saying that fits " life is like being a pubic hair on a toilet seat, someone will come along and piss you off".
Do I regret it, No, it was something that I wanted to do, and I can say that I gave it a go i didn't want to be thinking what if, my advice to you is do your homework, rates, payment, 30/60/90 days, dont put all your eggs in one basket,you'll find that owner drivers who are established with a company will think of you as a threat, take any promises of work with a pinch of salt, obviously its your decision and I would not say do it or not, but whatever you do I wish you well,
PS if you can find a old film called Hell Drivers, that gives you a good idea of what it was like in my situation.
I'll sit back and wait for the comments lol

from a current owner driver, I see what you said as a fair and truthful comment.

[scrunnMJ]

there are a lot of negative and positive comments on your question of becoming a owner driver,
Well here's my 2 pennies worth,
My time as a owner driver, 30 yrs ago was very stressful, lasted about 4 yrs, I was so convinced that I would be successful, hind sight is a wonderful thing, the reasons that I didn't make it work was, trusting people, false promises, as someone mentioned it is a case of "if your face fits" not getting paid on time, 7 to 8 months was not uncommon,there was good times when I thought that I was going to make it work, but there's a saying that fits " life is like being a pubic hair on a toilet seat, someone will come along and piss you off".
Do I regret it, No, it was something that I wanted to do, and I can say that I gave it a go i didn't want to be thinking what if, my advice to you is do your homework, rates, payment, 30/60/90 days, dont put all your eggs in one basket,you'll find that owner drivers who are established with a company will think of you as a threat, take any promises of work with a pinch of salt, obviously its your decision and I would not say do it or not, but whatever you do I wish you well,
PS if you can find a old film called Hell Drivers, that gives you a good idea of what it was like in my situation.
I'll sit back and wait for the comments lol

from a current owner driver, I see what you said as a fair and truthful comment.

ta fella

[HollRida]

there are a lot of negative and positive comments on your question of becoming a owner driver,
Well here's my 2 pennies worth,
My time as a owner driver, 30 yrs ago was very stressful, lasted about 4 yrs, I was so convinced that I would be successful, hind sight is a wonderful thing, the reasons that I didn't make it work was, trusting people, false promises, as someone mentioned it is a case of "if your face fits" not getting paid on time, 7 to 8 months was not uncommon,there was good times when I thought that I was going to make it work, but there's a saying that fits " life is like being a pubic hair on a toilet seat, someone will come along and piss you off".
Do I regret it, No, it was something that I wanted to do, and I can say that I gave it a go i didn't want to be thinking what if, my advice to you is do your homework, rates, payment, 30/60/90 days, dont put all your eggs in one basket,you'll find that owner drivers who are established with a company will think of you as a threat, take any promises of work with a pinch of salt, obviously its your decision and I would not say do it or not, but whatever you do I wish you well,
PS if you can find a old film called Hell Drivers, that gives you a good idea of what it was like in my situation.
I'll sit back and wait for the comments lol

well said honest truth

[PedPenny]

there are a lot of negative and positive comments on your question of becoming a owner driver,
Well here's my 2 pennies worth,
My time as a owner driver, 30 yrs ago was very stressful, lasted about 4 yrs, I was so convinced that I would be successful, hind sight is a wonderful thing, the reasons that I didn't make it work was, trusting people, false promises, as someone mentioned it is a case of "if your face fits" not getting paid on time, 7 to 8 months was not uncommon,there was good times when I thought that I was going to make it work, but there's a saying that fits " life is like being a pubic hair on a toilet seat, someone will come along and piss you off".
Do I regret it, No, it was something that I wanted to do, and I can say that I gave it a go i didn't want to be thinking what if, my advice to you is do your homework, rates, payment, 30/60/90 days, dont put all your eggs in one basket,you'll find that owner drivers who are established with a company will think of you as a threat, take any promises of work with a pinch of salt, obviously its your decision and I would not say do it or not, but whatever you do I wish you well,
PS if you can find a old film called Hell Drivers, that gives you a good idea of what it was like in my situation.
I'll sit back and wait for the comments lol

thanks for an honest opinion.

[TaySach]

You'll make a living mate

[scrunnMJ]

You'll make a living mate

I hope you are right and I am wrong, if you have a crystal ball have a look for lottery numbers, everyone's situation is different, I bought my unit from the firm I was employed by, get it repainted in their colours and they will give me all the work I could handle, 4yrs ONE job, I was freinds with the owner drivers, nights out, bbqs, got the unit, and then we were enemies, just saying like.

[franMind]

You'll make a living mate

I hope you are right and I am wrong, if you have a crystal ball have a look for lottery numbers, everyone's situation is different, I bought my unit from the firm I was employed by, get it repainted in their colours and they will give me all the work I could handle, 4yrs ONE job, I was freinds with the owner drivers, nights out, bbqs, got the unit, and then we were enemies, just saying like.

you got no friends in business mate

[scrunnMJ]

You'll make a living mate

I hope you are right and I am wrong, if you have a crystal ball have a look for lottery numbers, everyone's situation is different, I bought my unit from the firm I was employed by, get it repainted in their colours and they will give me all the work I could handle, 4yrs ONE job, I was freinds with the owner drivers, nights out, bbqs, got the unit, and then we were enemies, just saying like.

you got no friends in business mate

Aint that the truth

[olunicte67]

The industry is full of lies transport managers are the pits and they know it lies lies lies just to get there brownie points and they know it get into something else mate no stress live longer when pay per mile comes in and it will there be loads going to the wall this government dose not care about the industry or you as long as they can rape you of you’re money there happy and you’re have all the worry and stress then you’re going to the doctors to be told f**k off and die I ain’t go time for someone that going to take a little back of the system that’s this government for ya don’t get stressed and live longer my friend

[EriBubble]

Don’t bother mate you will end working for nothing and will loose all the cash you put in .Work for someone else let them have the worry and take your wages home at the end of the month.

[PedPenny]

Thank you all for all your comments