OTR drivers
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 936
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I drive OTR. I've only been out on my own for just over a month now and lovin it. There's a lot of people who will tell you not to do it, a lot who will talk down anything that has to do with trucking, and a lot that will do nothing but tell you horror stories about it. Sure, there's down sides to it, but in my opinion the good things about it out weigh the negative. I've already seen almost the entire country. I've been to both coasts and both northern and southern boarders. I've been to almost every state in the lower 48, in just 6 weeks. I'v averaging 3550 miles per week and livin it up.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg , Fl.
CDL ( communist driver's license )
Hey Plowdude , I drove "large car" for 30yr. both as a company driver and as an owner/operator . Who are ya pullin' for ? It's a hard life being away from family so much , but it gets in your blood and you start to get antzy when your home for a while ( at least I did ) . Been retired about 3 yr and I still miss being on the road . Good luck to ya . And watch those pesky 4 wheelers !
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
You're right, a lot off people have tried to talk me out of it. I'm sure it will take a little adjusting but I think I'll do just fine. Am single, no girlfriend, no kids, no life, what have I got to lose? Just won't have time to wrench. Money is good. 3550 miles a week can't possibly be legal, is it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by Plowdude
3550 miles a week can't possibly be legal, is it?
Don't let anyone push you into running illegal. If you choose to do so then it is your hide if you get caught. Don't worry about the dispathcher, he will keep loading you & running you & won't say a word unless you get caught.
I loved driving over the road. Even had ventured into the O/O field. I would do it again in a minute if I could, but being a single father & not being able to find anyone to care for my kids got me off the road quickly. Had to face responsibilty.
I still drive, but locally now.
Watch out for those sleeper leapers, they will give you more then what you really want.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Clearlake CA
I have had my CDL for 4 years now and I don't drive OTR. I haul mostly gravel and sometimes run an equipment transport truck. I like what I do, though I am not going to get rich any time soon.
I am looking to get my own truck.
I am looking to get my own truck.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg , Fl.
Hey Napa , getting your own truck is like no other experience I've had 
. It's a lot of work and money , but ya can't beat the feeling ya get knowing that's YOUR truck and it's up to you to make a go of it ( scary too ) . I enjoyed being a company driver but whan I bought that Freightshaker ......... I really liked being an O/O . You may want to look into joining OOIDA ( Owner Operator Independent Driver Association ) , they have all kinds of programs for not only O/Os but company drivers as well . I went through them for my bobtail and noncargo liability ins. , fuel tax reporting and they refered me to a CPA that knows the ins and outs of the trucking business . I even think I slept better in the truck 
. So if ya are thinking of being an O/O do a lot of research on what truck ya want ( or can afford ) , How much ya want to be gone , where ya want to run , money ya need to make to keep you and the truck alive and which company to lease on to . If you can , go to the Mid-America truck show in Louisville ,Ky. in March , it's the biggest truck show in the country . What ever your looking for in trucking it will be there !
. It's a lot of work and money , but ya can't beat the feeling ya get knowing that's YOUR truck and it's up to you to make a go of it ( scary too ) . I enjoyed being a company driver but whan I bought that Freightshaker ......... I really liked being an O/O . You may want to look into joining OOIDA ( Owner Operator Independent Driver Association ) , they have all kinds of programs for not only O/Os but company drivers as well . I went through them for my bobtail and noncargo liability ins. , fuel tax reporting and they refered me to a CPA that knows the ins and outs of the trucking business . I even think I slept better in the truck . So if ya are thinking of being an O/O do a lot of research on what truck ya want ( or can afford ) , How much ya want to be gone , where ya want to run , money ya need to make to keep you and the truck alive and which company to lease on to . If you can , go to the Mid-America truck show in Louisville ,Ky. in March , it's the biggest truck show in the country . What ever your looking for in trucking it will be there !
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Iowa Soon Texas
I have had my CDL for 12 years drove OTR for about 8 of those 12. I compair it to drugs, when your doin it, it has its good points and bad, when your not you miss it BAAAAD!!!.. I currently drive local routes so I am home everynight and dont leave until around 4-5 am. I also have a wife and son who I was having a hard time being away from, if it want for them I would still be bouncin down the boulavard 
I still occationally run a long route out to the Co area but those are far and few between.
I still occationally run a long route out to the Co area but those are far and few between.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 936
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Yea it's all legal. Like Parks911 said, if you do it right and things fall in place like it should, it's easily done. I could probly do more if I was more comfortable behind the wheel (the mountains still kinda bother me) and if my truck wasnt govorned at 65. Most of my runs are long hauls so I just get on the highway and giddy up go. Take the loops around the big cities to aviod too much traffic delays saves a little time even though it's a little longer miles wise.
As for gettin in your blood, that sure as heck is true! I'm home for a full week after being out for 4 weeks. I'm only into day 2 and I'm already ready to get back behind the wheel!
As for gettin in your blood, that sure as heck is true! I'm home for a full week after being out for 4 weeks. I'm only into day 2 and I'm already ready to get back behind the wheel!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
Likes: 0
From: Baileyton, TN
I have had a CDL for nearly 30 years, and have owned a number of trucks, in three continents.. kind of shows my age doesn't it. I don't have a big rig at this time, and am not working with one. I probably will buy another one in a year or two... Once you drive a truck, you never quit happily.
