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Thoughts on what trailer to use as an owner opp? Dry vs reefer vs flatbed vs tanker. I run reefers now and unloading times suck, and half the time I get detention if I’m lucky

If you start now by yourself, it is hell, but it can be done if you stay small.

The difference is the pay, and u get to set your own hours and can't fire yourself. And the amount of responsibilities

my dad would always check torque on u bolts when he had his first load on so they were compressed when he tried to tighten them.

1 MAN OWN AUTHORITY ONLY MAKES SENSE RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS CONSISTENT AND DEDICATED SAME THING ALL THE TIME.

CHECK ALL WHEELS WITH TORQUE WRENCH. Might not hurt to try and check torque on suspension U BOLTS.

Depending where I bought the truck maybe an overhead tune and dyno test? Baking soda works well for cleaning battery cables and electric connections.

Solid video Mike! Question about being an owner operator, what is the minimum weekly/monthly load commitment as an owner operator for a company? Like is there a minimum requirement to haul at least X number of loads a week or X number of loads? Or is it like driving for Uber and you can view all the loads and select as many or as little as you want to complete each month, or whenever you like, with now minimum commitment?

Can u do a video on lot lizards and how dangerous it can be to date them

Can a owner operator still lease onto a carrier with the new independent contractor rule that started in March of 2024

I really like the way you track all the expenses.

Just wato say thanks for taking the time in posting very informative videos ....be safe out on the road and enjoy your upcoming weekend

Had to smash the LIKE button before I even play the video 🤙🏿 I really appreciate all the information.

I think the economy is still on a downtrend. Im in machining and its been a rough year. Been one 32hrs a week the whole year, so far, beaides a couple weeks. Supposedly a big order from a customer is supposed to come in but it keeps on getting pushed fuether down the year.

I wish youd give some real world numbers on how much trucking makes. I want to know if its worth it to get in. Making 80k a year? But does that mean $15hr because you work 80hrs a week?

Amazing video as always!!

Great video! Who does your dispatching?

Could u make a video answering the question “how much more is the workload being O/O compared to company driver or for example me being already 1099 IC, considering you buy a truck that doesn’t give much problems & is already tax savvy and bookkeeping, I’m curious how much more extra paperwork, dealing a/ brokers & looking for your loads is and such?

Have an alignment done. Replace all coolant hoses. Replace all fluids. Install battery shut off switch so batteries can not draw when truck is unattended for safety and longer battery life. Might not hurt to add a little STP on first oil change and add a little ATF in fuel tank on first fill. Replace air cleaner, fuel filter, coolant filter, air dryer. Have fifth wheel play checked and bushings checked

Your the best sir. This is a elementary question, but how do you secure to the rail? Best practices, going through the rail, around a post...? Ive hauled palletized Fertilizer with straps. I dont know anything else about flatbedding. Thanks!

Girth matters too,

I think they have to use 4" straps and edge protectors on our coils.? We use aluminum coils that are about .010" thick and probably 5' tall and wide. They're used to make aluminum cans. Any damage to the edge, and we have to scrap 100 plus feet to get down to usable material. Chains sound a lot better when possible. It's scary to see coils come in that have slid on the pallet from hard breaking.

Where I work, drivers usually haul 2, 20-25k coils on a pallet and eye to the sky. They strap with 4" straps in an X across the top, then one side to side. I've seen them come in with 1/4 of the coil off the pallet because they had to brake hard. Years ago, they ran them suicide and then switched to pallets.

💯💯💯🔥

Loving these vids!

This channel is gold keep doing what you're doing I can't get enough of these videos as a truck driver just starting out!

This is a great video Mike. Does your trailer you run now have this type of brake chamber? And you have two on every axle?

Some actual numbers of OO vs Company would be nice. Also how many hours or $hr you're making.

40% ? You sure that driver wasn't 1099?

Freedom to me is being able to go home everyday

I always vise grip the plunger also when I change mine out for added protection. You can put dimes inside the air ports also to stop air flow. An old guy taught me that trick years ago. I do know a guy that took the front ring off one years ago with the system completely charged with air. Had he been about an inch closer to it when he removed it the thing would have blown his head completely OFF! He was scalped a little when they loaded him in the ambulance. He wound up bald but lived to talk about it. Very lucky man. I always tell people that have never done it before not to change one out unless they have done it before next to someone who has been trained at it. I just tell them to bleed down the air and change out the whole entire system from the mount if they are unsure about something.

LKQ has lot of salvage parts and recon parts.

Would not be afraid to even tow an old non running truck off a LKQ SALVAGE YARD AND RESTORE IT.

They must have real good lawyers and be able to be self insured

If we had consumption tax aka sales tax we would have a lot less REDNECK RICH PEOPLE. IT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE A LOT MORE RESPONSIBLE. GET RID OF INCOME TAX.

I’m curious what you average per hour for every hour on duty and driving time

For me Owner operator is the way to go for the freedom aspect. Too many companies are starting to get really strict with inward facing cameras and other policies.

I think the fact that they hire so many new drivers is probably the top contributor to their bad reputation. When you have the capacity they do, you will just have a higher chance for new driver mistakes. I'm not saying that old-timers or experienced dudes don't make mistakes, but rookies are much more likely to fuck up just because of their lack of experience in stressful situations.

just do a podcast each week

40% seems way too much. I didn't know that there was a state that taxed you that high. I really enjoy the videos.

1099 too

Great information Mike! Question, I'm planning to enroll in CDL and become a trucker later this year. I really want to immerse myself in this field and get to know more about the industry and network with other truckers. What are some of the best trucking conventions/conferences that you recommend a trucker should attend?

Why do you need to pinch the air hose off. Doesn't caging the spring do what you need. Lack of air pressure is what causes the brakes to lock down ???

If that huge spring is broke, you cant even find the slot for the cage bolt.

If someone can’t understand that, they don’t need to be behind the wheel

You should be an instructor if you’re not one

I like how gently you shoved it in that hole

It's a BRAKE chamber

I get this is for demonstration, but I have seen caging bolts break or seize up, would not recommend an impact wrench

Excellent information.