Ha5ham:
…if they pay me his boss will dock his wages…
Seriously? You sound a very understanding and tolerant individual. His “boss”, the person you are contracting for, sounds a complete (zb)! 
sorry but its dog eat dog, manchester to northampton needs to be paid for end of
scotlass:
Well done, I admire your bottle.I’ve been following this post for a while but only just registered on the forum so I thought I’d post.
I’ve been using various trackers for a few years, mainly the big boys. I’m currently operating one in a fleet of over 300 vehicles, not going to give the name away but to be honest I don’t think they are up to much, so don’t think that paying lots of money is going to give you better.
Good luck with the venture, enjoying the posts so keep updating.
Just registered myself & took the plunge 18months or so ago but gone from a rigid to an artic in that time ( as I was turning work away) but not a walk in the park as most people will tell you…
I’m hold up off the M5 Halesowen at moment waiting to get a tyre sorted for the first time as they can’t find one to fit !!! ( specialist thing, car transporter) …expensive screw !!!
Look very carefully at the rates being offered on container work, I tried it a few years ago when my main work dropped off during the summer months. I couldn’t do it for the rates being paid, was literally half of what I’d normally earn in a day, I parked two tractors up rather than run them into the ground for peanuts.
The container companies are advertising week after week for a reason!
AlexH71:
Look very carefully at the rates being offered on container work, I tried it a few years ago when my main work dropped off during the summer months. I couldn’t do it for the rates being paid, was literally half of what I’d normally earn in a day, I parked two tractors up rather than run them into the ground for peanuts.
The container companies are advertising week after week for a reason!
Wise words indeed…
The only way to make the boxes work is short haul, getting a job rate, against the dreaded mileage rate 
Distance work is a complete waste of time
Hi guys true container work is not the best payer and for some it’s actually a loss maker. I am mainly doing short haul and oh yeah just gone and secured myself a splitter on rent. I am considering buying one if someone has ideas am after stuff that’s not brand new 2-4years old and the cost I should expect?
Thanks again.
Evening peeps
Time for another monthly update, well and truly testing times have started for me
Had a new tyre fitted on one of the trucks on ns midlift as the driver reported a chunk missing after a clever parking move scrubbing it. We also needed an airline as old one gave up. Total cost these 2 things I guess is going to come in at £300.
Unusual for work to have gone slightly quite or maybe it’s who I’m subbing for I am down abouth £200 every week for past 3 weeks on one of the trucks.
Also trucks had their 2nd safety inspection so that’s 12 weeks in operation and I am enjoying every bit the challenges and all.
Just got a letter from man saying one truck needs to come in for a recall job but say its an hours job…
Haven’t heard back regarding buying a splitter trailer so ideas welcome.
Till next time bye all
Keep up the good work mate, loads of people always asking about start ups so good luck.
I still fail to see how you are making it pay but i wish you luck with your venture
burnley-si:
got a 55 reg magnum 44t for sale 860,000km full test on her and ill leave the tax on her if she sells quick (june),shed loads done to her over the last 2 years getting her to my standard new ra,d new header tank, new disc and pads front and rear 16mm on the drive tyres, new heater blower, new exhaust
most of the mork carried out at rh commercials
scenic for sale £5.90 mats inc full mot 
Really enjoying this thread. Good luck mate!
Evening all,
November is here and what can I say there have been a few days I thought to myself what have I dropped myself into??
Picked up our 3rd unit last week after numerous delays-mainly shortage of mot slots. Camera, telematics and Tracker all fitted on it and hopefully the sign guys will write it up on Saturday.
One driver damaged bottom step on a truck and it’s a goner so spent about £150 for new one in matching colour and fit.
Work has been quite this week and as well as due to driver issue I have 1unit parked up all week last week and so far this week-not happy with that but at least no driver wages at moment on it. Fingers crossed next week all 3will be out one being driven by my cover driver.
I am confident I am persevering the trying times well and should get over this bad luck trend soon. So here to finding 1more excellent driver to join the team.
Speak to you all soon.
Kind regards
Good on ya hasham, keep up the good work.
Your honesty is refreshing, and I genuinely hope you do well.
Keep up the updates, hope I get there one day too.
Matt
Keep the posts coming, I’m enjoying this thread! Good on you for giving it a bash mate.
I’m no owner driver. Once worked for a bloke running 4 units on boxes. Reading your posts it sounds so hand-to-mouth. Appears very stressful. How do you ever build capital to weather any storm? Fascinating reading. Keep it coming.
I’ve been following this post from the start and have to be honest and say I’m surprised it’s still going. Not because I don’t have faith in you but because of the business of transport as a whole. I really admire your courage and feel like I’d love to help you out on your driver predicament but…[emoji848]
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 
Any updates mate? How’s it all going on the 3 unit operation? I’m driving agency at the moment in Surrey/Hampshire and most of the firms I’m sent to lately are desperate for drivers and ODs/subbies. Has got me thinking about possibly investing in a 2nd hand unit and giving it a go. My Drivers CPC is due for renewal in a few months so may take the plunge and do the TM and kill the Drivers CPC with the same stone. Either that or do the ADR and forget about the OD thing for a bit longer. Anyway would love to have an update when you get the chance. Cheers, Dan
Hi.
I am new to this .
I am thinking buying one or two truck to start transport container, haulier bussiness curently i run a building company but for same reason all rate on building going down badly and alot hassel from contractor due to so many european on building subbies.
Any one have experience to inform me how the transport , haulier bussines market is ?, ideas,how to start , information would be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.
Hello again everyone,
I feel like the last few weeks have been way too long for me and some of it has been painful.
In this month one of the trucks turned over the least amount of cash ever! despite working full week -certainly an eye opener - local jobs are really good but the moment you do 1 a day for a full week you may soon be packing it in…(note to self- lesson learnt!)
We are now thankfully fully staffed on all trucks with permanent drivers, 2 of our colleagues are ex army blokes and I am way proud of these young guys resilience and willingness to lead a normal civilian life and also work hard in building their lives considering some of the most harrowing things they have gone through already.
UK fuels started playing ball with us so thats encouraging to see credit term extended from them.
Third truck finally got sign written last week -only took them 4 weeks to get right timings to come out and do it…
Into planning next years movements and giving a serious look into what else we can tap into.
We had our Christmas dinner last night me with our team of 3 drivers and spouses was a good laugh no thanks to the rubbish one liners from the crackers on the table!
Finally we at the company would like to wish all of you on here a very merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous new year.
Thank you all for the support this year and sharing my journey this far, See you all God willing in 2016.