Truck driving...

[singa06]

Sorry but i wasn't sure where to post this!

My Dh has a truck license (HR) and wants to buy a truck to work as an owner driver.
A friend of the family is talking him into it as he earns really good money doing it (NOT interstate).

However I am sooo scared about Dh going ahead with it as we have a house loan and if we bought a truck it would be around $50,000 - $70,000! I am scared it wouldn't work out and we would be left on just my wage that wouldn't pay both loans!

Any opinions????? or Experiences???

[Mum2Bug]

In my opinion... I wouldnt :no:

A friend of mine owned his own truck and I was astounded at the amount he had to spend on it to keep it maintained and was barely able to put any spare money aside.

[sam's mum]

exDH and I owned trucks and made pretty good money off them, but we were in a town where he had a lot of family contacts in the business, and he had a very good business mind.

are you in a position where you will have access to work? Have you fully costed everything, fuel, engine replacements, tyres, oils.....

do you have a back up driver if he gets sick? (that used to be me :D)

[sam's mum]

In my opinion... I wouldnt :no:

A friend of mine owned his own truck and I was astounded at the amount he had to spend on it to keep it maintained and was barely able to put any spare money aside.

that's the other thing, you really want to be a good enough mechanic to be able to do most of the engine work yourself.

[GraceUnhearing]

not to mention the running cost

with petrol expected to hit 170 this week whats diesel going to go up to??

[singa06]

Thanks for your replies ladies. The guy who is helping Dh said he has work connections (if he finishes a 'job' early, he has numbers to call for more work) and knows a good mechanic when ever he is in trouble.
I think Dh is going to go out with him on Friday to see what it is like and he will ask him Q about maintenance, fuel costs etc.
As far as Dh getting sick, well haven't thought about that yet....! I guess that is when 'savings' comes into it and insurance!

I am still not sure about all of this!

[QTB]

my DH is a truck driver he just said that its not worth owner/driving. not with the fuel costs at the moment

his truck costs $1300 to fill at the moment.

we are glad hes still working for someone else!

[singa06]

WOW, that is a a lot for fuel.

Dh was told he could 'take home' $3000 after all costs...The thing I don't like is that is after 'modifying' the books. (saying it took longer to arrive to places and drop off). So you could end up really working 6-8 hours and saying you worked 10-15 hours!!!

Also he said they pay $54 an hour!

I don't get it!