I'm getting ready to reinvent myself and change careers; from a useless, tax dollar-guzzling government worker to someone who can hopefully produce things of value. I'm trying to plan some modes of income that will replace most of my salary when I quit, and I'd like to hear from those of you who make a living with your trucks.

1. What do you haul, tow, plow, pull, or run over to make a living?
2. How did you get started with your jobs?
3. Is it your sole source of income?
4. Where do you live? Is your location an important part of your job?

 

I would love to do the samething! so i am gonna keep tabs on this.

 

same here,bump!!!!!!!!

 

I have towed off and on for Horizon for over 3 years now. I do not recommend it. It is too volatile. Some months are good, others you starve. I am fortunate to have other sources of income. I work in the shop and stay busy, and pull a trailer every so often to get away for a few days.

 

Why wouldn't you go and get your CDL and drive a more comfortable truck? That is one thing I never could figure out. I know after 12 hours driving the CTD my rear goes numb. I don't see the benefit of wear and tear on my truck vs. driving for somebody and making more money in a more comfortable truck to drive. That's just my 2 cents.

 

What do you tow?

 

You ask why wouldn't I or others get a CDL? Here are three reasons.

1. There are lots of things that weigh 15,000# or less that need to be transported. There is no reason to use a MDT or HDT to haul something that small.

2. We already own a truck and don't want to buy another, or get qualified to drive another, or have anything to do with heavy duty trucking.

3. Many people have spare time that they would like to use to make a few extra bucks.

 

interesting topic!

 

Sounds like a sweet way to tour the country and make some money while doing it. If I was retired, I'd think about it. Got a loong way to go for that though.

 

HOV where do you live?

Things you can do... Hot shot freight or pull cars. Expensive start up costs, expensive insurance.

Plow. I was looking into this but finding I am late for the season. Should have contracts by now and a truck ready to go...

 

Fifth wheel and travel trailer RV's
boats
horse trailers
utility trailers

new mostly, some used.

 

see if theres any auto transport companys near you. about a year ago a buddy of mine bought a car off ebay and had it shipped from texas up here to KY. He said the guy had it on a big gooseneck w/ two other cars going farther up north. he was pulling it with his 3rd gen CTD.

 

I was talking to one of our hotshots the other day. He runs a silver QC dually. He also owns a T2000 that his son drives part time. The dodge costs about 1/2 to operate as the T2000. Unless he really has a heavy load or its just too big for his 30' gooseneck, it goes on the dodge.

 

I live in Virginia, but am looking to move out to the Boulder, CO area withina few years.

I see several posters refer to hotshot freight. Does that mean taking on overflow from shipping companies on a piecemeal basis?

 

Do you contract this kind of work through RV and trailer dealerships?

Do you know what the standard rates are for something like that?