There are dozens, if not hundreds of stories about how small trucking fleets get started. A trucker decides to get their trucking authority. They buy another rig and another trailer. Then a family member is added to the crew. And that’s how a trucking fleet gets started.
Build a Business Plan
When buying more equipment, especially when the cost of a new cab can top $100,000, financing is likely to be on the table. To make good financial decisions, building a business plan is important. Talking with a financial specialist would be a good investment. We recommend that you contact SCORE for free advice to get started. SCORE is a national organization that helps small businesses. They have many webinars and counselors to help new business owners.
A trucking fleet doesn’t just double the number of loads your business handles.
If you already own one truck, then you’re familiar with the trucking industry. You know that this is an industry that has seasonal ups and downs, not to mention the rise and fall of the economy. It’s important to plan how to manage two trucks’ expenses and maintenance as well as the income from loads. The additional issues that hiring a driver and maintaining their records – and paying them, of course – is different from running a solo owner operator trucking business.
That’s why we have to know our trucking statistics. Trucker Stats™ show the story behind the profit and loss statements of a trucking fleet. Knowing what makes money, what doesn’t, and where the money is going is crucial to making good business decisions.
Getting Your Trucking Authority
When you want to build a trucking fleet, your trucking authority isn’t an option. Getting a trucking authority is not a difficult process. Any trucker can follow the procedures for an application. You don’t have to pay anyone to do it for you – unless you want to. But if you want to get assistance to get that task out of the way, there are plenty of people out there who are glad to help you do it!
It’s up to you how you get your authority. If paying someone to handle the unfamiliar bureaucratic tasks for your authority is how you want to roll – then do it!
Getting help to achieve your trucking fleet dreams isn’t wrong.
No one builds a business by themselves. It’s a complex process and trucking has its own complications. Finding good advice and hiring people to help is smart.
Just like getting the right trucking software.
If your trucking fleet is starting with 2 trucks, then you don’t need an expensive trucking software with bells and whistles. Simple, basic, and complete – that’s what a small trucking fleet manager needs.
For a small trucking company, TruckingOffice PRO is the solution you need when you buy a second truck.
TruckingOffice PRO and TruckingOffice ELD work together at a price that won’t break your new trucking fleet’s banking account.
TruckingOffice PRO and TruckingOffice ELD
Using an integrated system allows an independent owner operator to have the same benefits that big trucking companies have in expensive software solutions. TruckingOffice offers the best options for the solo trucker. We’ve got affordable trucking management software that handles everything. TruckingOffice PRO makes your life easier and managing your business smoother by helping you handle your tasks better and faster:
- dispatches
- routing
- invoices
- expense management
- IFTA and IRP
- maintenance
- Trucker Stats™– reports to show the state of your trucking business.
Combined with the TruckingOffice ELD, you’ve got everything you need to build a successful trucking business – even from the cab of your truck.
Contact us today to learn how TruckingOffice PRO can help you build your trucking fleet!
I purchased trucking office a couple of months ago but I haven’t started using it. Is there a tutorial that will help me get started? Thank you, Gerrie Cook
Yes. When you are logged into your account, click on the settings menu, then click on the user guide. There a lot of tutorials, and how-to videos to help you learn the trucking software. If you have any questions, we are always available at support@truckingoffice.