After nearly a year of considering a change, I finally decided to pull the trigger on my plan to sell my car hauler and start 2014 with a new operation.  I recently purchased a 2008 53' all aluminum step deck, complete with ramps.  I almost made the decision about a year ago, but then my car hauling business really picked up.  Like most of trucking, there are busy and slow seasons in carhauling and after a very busy summer, followed by a somewhat disappointing fall season and a load out to the west coast, I made the decision to sell my trailer and buy a more versatile step deck.







In my decision making process, I had to look at the big picture and list out all the pros and cons for making such a large commitment.  As owner-operators, we have to constantly measure ourselves and our business to see if it needs adjusting.  Some of the major factors that caused me to buy a different trailer were as follows:

  • less maintenance required; money and time savings
  • less cargo insurance required
  • more versatile trailer which means more freight opportunities
  • lighter trailer; new step deck weighs 11,000 lbs. Car trailer weighs 24,000 lbs.
  • better fuel mileage

When I looked at the fuel savings plus the lower maintenance cost per mile to operate, lower cost per mile to insure and reduced deadheading because of more freight opportunities, it became a no brainer.

One of the biggest attractions to being an owner-operator is the freedom.  In this case, I'm utilizing my freedom to change my operation into something very different.  In the big picture however, it's not that different. Everything that goes into the business of being an owner-operator is still required no matter what kind of box you're pulling.
 

Comments (7)

Joey Slaughter

Joey Slaughter is the owner of Blue Ridge Transport, LLC. Joey has been in the trucking industry since 1992.

Read These Next...

BUSINESS Smart

Trade Show Freight

June 27, 2017

BUSINESS Smart

The Back Office

November 17, 2017

 
 

Thanks Henry and Jimmy.

January 15, 2014 5:34:51 AM

Great to see I'm not the only one switching it up around here...lol. I wish you great success on the change and know you have what it take to do great at it!

January 14, 2014 20:40:19 PM

Good luck Joey on you new venture.

January 14, 2014 19:46:53 PM

Thanks Linda. I am too!

January 14, 2014 17:11:02 PM

Good Luck Joey with the new business model. Look forward to learning more about it!

January 14, 2014 15:49:50 PM

Thanks Craig. I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2014 and learning a new segment of the industry.

January 14, 2014 9:10:18 AM

Congratulations Joey. That's a nice looking setup. I wish you great success and a loaded trailer both ways! Diversification in ones operation is a great benefit. That is the perfect trailer to haul our equipment from way out here on the west coast.

January 14, 2014 7:59:16 AM