Getting off the ground with containers

Hello there,

So then. I’m a fully qualified TM with my international well bedded in to the old noggin.This week I am completing my class 1 training.
Truck is not yet purchased but I have some money put aside to get one.

I’m currently contracting in an airfreight operation to keep the wages paid. However when I achieve my Class 1, I want to get out there and get stuck in to running containers with a view to developing into other things later on.

O licence is covered, maintenance covered by a very well qualified friend. I have some customers but not enough to cover a full weeks work yet.

so I was wondering if I could get some positive advice on here - I’ve considered running for Pentalvers and/or Wincanton mostly out of Southampton. Perfectly happy to go tramping if that’s what it takes as long as I can be home once a fortnight to see my son who lives with the ex.(so that will hopefully fall in with the 45 hour break)
I will be putting more kit on the road when I can just not straight away.

I will be purchasing a second hand truck to start with and renting a skelly from Charlie at Collease Southampton. I have decided not to lease a truck.

So I’m wondering - are the rates from companies like Pentalvers good enough to allow an owner driver to make a decent living?

First and foremost, do not be put off by the negative answers you will get on here.
Second and the most important thing to take into account is work out your own costs first, Then and only then will you know if the rates being offered will cover your costs.
If you would like to PM me I can run through a very good cost calculator that will give you the basics, and help you make some sense of running costs and rates…