Up until now, my career as an owner operator has morphed into various forms. From my very first truck purchase to the most recent accomplishment of attaining my own interstate authority, it has been a journey well worth the headaches. Amongst the constant changes and adaptations, the fact that I have been limited as a power-only hauler has remained the single constant factor…until now that is! As I am sitting down writing this blog, my beautiful CNG-powered Freightliner Cascadia has successfully pulled my new trailer through on its maiden voyage. Actually, it was more like voyages, since I knocked out five loads in eight hours to break it in the right way!
Pulling anchor and setting sail with this beast was not all sunshine and lollipops though, as a day of work was lost and unfortunate findings were all part of the fun. I took possession of the new trailer (used, but new to me) on Saturday after negotiating with its owner. I scored a heck of a deal from a fleet owner who was liquidating eighteen of his dry vans and switching to hauling containers out of the port with his trucks. Always anticipating that if a deal is too good to be true it probably is, I decided to have my mechanic go through it that following Monday and get it up to my operating standards. In doing so, they alerted me to the fact that two of the wheel bearings were badly worn, so I of course authorized their replacement. Even with some additional costs along the way including stickers, the repair mentioned, and a couple other touch-ups, I was able to keep it all under the market value for this specific trailer. Thinking back on all the searching and phone calls, all it really took was about a month and a half of constant researching to find the deal I knew was out there for me.
Now having completed the first day with my first trailer of my own, I feel a slightly commanding sense of liberation. Many would think I was crazy getting my own authority without my own trailer in the first place, but then again most folks also don’t understand the abundance of power-only work in Southern California. Now nearing the 60-day mark of having my authority, the doors are starting to part a little with some of the brokers that won’t touch haulers with brank spanking new authority. Purchasing my own trailer has added once again to the versatility of my company and is proving that it has only added value to the services I provide as an independent owner-operator. As mentioned 
in my last blog, the trailer market should be monitored carefully these days, as prices are increasing very fast due to decreased supply and increased demand. Do not be afraid to ask questions of the friends that may know a little more about trailers and buying them than you do, as I even did so when considering what type to purchase for my specific operation. As intimidating as it may be to make the leap from pulling someone else’s wagon to pulling your own, I can testify that it is a great experience and can help you weigh anchor and set sail for higher revenue!