Evening all, How easy is it to run your own truck. What kind of profit/overheads can you expect.

[Eng.Rensys]

Evening all, How easy is it to run your own truck. What kind of profit/overheads can you expect.

[ricon+skey]

Less than driving for a good company

[andNNovespr]

I think the biggest problem for owner operators is trying to remain profitable and competitive. Most clients won’t wanna pay what you need to be earning. And companies like Culina and such will just undercut you so much to secure the job you’ll probably be running at a loss. Plus one puncture or breakdown your whole month’s profits could be gone instantly.
it used to be a viable opportunity but I wouldn’t think it is nowadays with rising fuel costs and such

[andNNovespr]

That being said if you can find a niche sector you can work within like my old boss who only did film and tv prop transport. You might be able to survive but will never be smooth sailing

[Kieedit]

I’ve seen a couple of owner operators recently parking up or selling and working for someone else. Seems easier all around.

[mcIdol]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

[kevin_evan]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

very informative response.

[ChurchTips]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

it's definitely not easy, I take my hat off to you, I really do.
That's why some turn to YouTube..
Finding constant contractual work is hard, I did it years ago and then larger companies get involved rates drop and your working for peanuts.

[phil_bumper]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

fuel and adblue alone is astronomical

[khano-junn]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

fuel and adblue alone is astronomical

it is I put 700 1000 week easy fuel

[SaeedDj]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

Road tax gone up the roof forgot to mention my friend

[mcIdol]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

Road tax gone up the roof forgot to mention my friend

The biggest change has been the reintroduction of the HGV Levy which was suspended during Covid which had led to a massive increase in cost.

[GlaGringo]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

Plus mate if you bought a problematic Euro6 and had to take it to a main dealer it would wipe you out in your early days. Gone are the days reliable old motors.

[mcIdol]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

Plus mate if you bought a problematic Euro6 and had to take it to a main dealer it would wipe you out in your early days. Gone are the days reliable old motors.

Having a modern truck on R&M is the only way these days.

[GlaGringo]

I have been an owner driver for the last 19 years. It certainly isn’t easy, especially in the current climate. You probably won’t make much more than a employed driver doing nights/weekends, but will have a lot more stress when things don’t go to plan. You will need a operators licence which involves having a suitable parking area, employing an external transport manager (or taking the qualification yourself) and having sufficient funds in the bank. Overheads include insurance (vehicle, GIT, public and employers liability), parking, maintenance, truck finance payments, road tax and transport manager fees.

Plus mate if you bought a problematic Euro6 and had to take it to a main dealer it would wipe you out in your early days. Gone are the days reliable old motors.

Having a modern truck on R&M is the only way these days.

I can understand that I was a owner driver for ten years. I now work for a main dealer and I see some bills that would have you remortgage your house to pay. And it all started with add blue and regeneration. I started with a 113 Scania 8 year old and bomb proof.

[incaRida]

Very hard at the moment you need deep pockets and rates are bad

[jeronix-llay]

Very hard at the moment you need deep pockets and rates are bad

rates have been bad for years how companies pay drives a grand a week is beyond me.

[jorgin]

How bigs your crystal ball

[arnoldar]

Don’t even think about it.

[Geady_Slav]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

[denying]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

[jideVivala]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

same place the owner ops are, they can’t compete with the big boys doing runs for £1 profit

[Geady_Slav]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

there’s a fair few still knocking about. I know of 3 taking of LTD over £800 a week take home. S&H in Winsford Polaris in Eccles & there’s one in Grantham but i forgot their name. White & Green Scania.

[ashse]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

here

[denying]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

here

??

[ashse]

where is that family run firm nowadays?:(

here

??

dm me

[Nigemove.Plus]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

you make alot of great points trouble is with family firms (not all) is many of them will try and skirt around safety issues. Ie we will repair the tyre tomorrow just run with it! I’ve worked for two and that’s the main reason I’ve left them now work for a large firm who whilst aren’t perfect but treat us pretty well. Being an owner operator needs deep pockets as you’ve said!

[mathin_1935]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

only way your gonna make a small fortune today with ya own truck is start with a big one

[CoCoopcont]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

I get what you say but a single man operating is much different in terms of overheads so a big company would have a much bigger overhead to satisfy a profit. You could call it/or the opposite of economies of scale.... interesting read

[Armstrone]

Problem with owner/ops now, is the massive companies that will take any job for £1 profit.
2000 trucks making £1 profit a drop is over £2000 a day.
On your own, you wanna be making at the very least £1000 a week profit, Amazon/fed ex etc has been fleeced by bigger companies (Mark Thompson, Pringle etc) doing runs for ridiculously crap money, put’s the price down for single operator owners.
I remember a few month back seeing Whites make a post about a backload, think it was an Amazon trailer from Cardiff to Aberdeen or something like, offering £215 for it. Won’t even cover fuel costs that.
Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

top advice

[Pauland]

My son wanted to do it he looked right into it and didn't bother to many people undercutting you to make progress

[andros9]

Profit, None if you cant get the work.

[jeandspo]

Current climate not worth it.
If it’s something you really want to do then bide your time see how things go next 2-3 yrs

[Mikender]

Very easy . Do it. Let us know how you get on

[Stefanota]

Answer it’s not Easy

[Armstrone]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

[NICONNAC]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

you seen a happy man! Good luck with everything love your company name

[sinares846]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

definitely more money in the rigids than artics in my experience. Too many at the artic game

[Armstrone]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

definitely more money in the rigids than artics in my experience. Too many at the artic game

spot on

[David55]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

[joweeDium]

I’ve been an owner/Operator for 24 years and have gone from me on my own doing everything including being the transport manager and mechanic with a 10 year old truck to…
I now have 5 trucks all bought new and pay 7 full time wages so it is possible but boy…… not an easy task and even harder in the current economic climate so do yourself a favour and properly research your business plan before selling everything you own and sinking it into a haulage business that could make you a millionaire but more likely you will die broke and a lot younger than an hourly paid cards in driver!!!

well done fella, I genuinely take my hat off to guys like you, I've seen your trucks up and down the country and I honestly thought it was one of the big companies

[MilGato]

Dondo it !!!!

[garrubb74]

Leave ya money in the bank you will make more profit

[spru+ondo]

Like Armstrone has said previously research what you need ,Operators licence requirements , ,funds what funds you require to start , ie truck purchase , insurance , Goods in Transit insurance , third party liability insurance , enough funds to pay for repairs ,tyres, fuel for your first 3 months , I believe DVSA require you to have £8000 in place ,plus some companies may make you wait 3 months from date of invoice before they pay you ,so think about it carefully of all the lads I've known in over 40 yrs of driving I can count on one hand those that are still going .

[thomari]

Don’t do it used to myself take a tip

[grambyro]

If you break even you are lucky find other routes mate to earning £

[andy.thogen]

Go to bank borrow 20k set fire to the 20k pay the loan it will be cheaper.

[Anthony]

Buy a van easier

[clayrooDas]

My sons have been pushing me to buy another truck but working for peanuts and trying to compete with Stobarts ,wrs and Cullinaits going to be hard work your better buying property or some land you can rent out

[Dojo1722]

Friends of mine done it and is doing really well just long to get there and not even money it's red tape

[ian_tom]

You will make more money if you were an agency driver

[Kelthoof]

My honest opinion buy a rigid that's where the money seems to be at the .moment or buy a van

[steven.OOO]

Big ones lol

[ashnan]

500/700 pounds a day 2500/3000 earnings
1500 a week diesel
1000 driver wages
400 truck
Insurances 250 a week
Not much profit if any ???

[BondBel]

It's not easy it's bloody hard work!

[Bluecorn]

Long story short, go LTD find a family run firm & earn £1000 a week and get £5k a year tax rebate. Far better option in this day & age.

Reckon these must be old posts.
Being Ltd driver for an operator is seen as fronting by the operator and it would be a challenge for the Ltd driver to prove the Ltd Co has appropriate insurance etc.
anyone still working as a Ltd driver to an operator is on dodgy ground.