Build your own truck online free

The trucking business can be very profitable, but it is incredibly competitive. Many truckers try to get into the business every year and end up failing.

These five steps point you in the right direction and help you make the transition to becoming a business owner.

Step 1: Get the right equipment

Obviously, you need the right equipment for your company. Getting equipment is the first and, perhaps, the most expensive decision you have to face. Once you have selected the equipment necessary for your kind of trucking outfit, you need to decide whether you want to buy or lease the equipment.

There are a number of owner-operator financing alternatives, which can be confusing to new business owners. Remember that salespeople usually present the option that allows them to sell/lease the equipment. They don’t always present the option that is best for you. Therefore, you need to plan a strategy ahead of time.

Buying the equipment is fairly straightforward. You put a down payment and get a loan for the rest. As long as you make the payments, you own the equipment. After the last payment, the equipment is yours free and clear.

Leasing equipment can be more complicated. In some cases it can also have lower payments. Leases can be structured much like rentals, where you pay a monthly fee for the use of the equipment. Other types of leases can be structured so that you own the equipment after the last payment. The array of options can be dizzying.

Should you lease or buy? There is no correct answer since it depends on your specific situation. Each option has benefits and drawbacks. However, I can tell you that the wrong choice will be expensive and could derail your business.

The smartest way to make the choice is to meet with a CPA who specializes in small businesses and have them help you make a choice. The visit may cost $100 – $300, but it is money well spent. And it will help you make more money overall.