Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/93143
FIT FOR BUSINESS workout people, and want more drivers to get into a regular workout schedule, too," Karen says. The team tries to stop every four hours to walk and jump rope. They also moni- tor their diets closely and keep most of their meals – which include fruit, yogurt and other healthy choices – in the truck. "It's hard for drivers to be healthy with the options that are in truckstops," Karen says. "It's either a buffet, where one will overeat, or a fast-food restaurant, where you get a soda, burger and an order of fries." Perform regular maintenance "We hear horror stories from people driv- ing new trucks – our truck has never been parked on the side of the road and is not as expen- sive to maintain as a new rig," Tom says. Tom says, for them, a new www.vdoroadlog.com VDO RoadLog™ EOBR Introducing the simple electronic solution for daily log book and other compliance reporting. VDO RoadLog makes it as easy as possible to get automated, electronic reporting of daily log book data. In addition, RoadLog records data for Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection reports (DVIR), Fuel Tax reports (IFTA) and International Registration Plan reports (IRP). The simple, all-in-one solution: No monthly fees Plug and play installation Built-in printer for rapid roadside checks FMCSA compliant For additional information, call: (855)-ROADLOG or e-mail: roadlog-sales@vdo.com truck represents another house payment, and one they don't care to have. Tom and Karen stick to a maintenance schedule designed to keep their truck running in good condition despite its age. The team works with the same mechanics for lube and oil and for general maintenance, a tire company for tire work and a Cummins specialist for motor work. They keep meticulously organized records of every dime spent on the truck, using Quickbooks. Every three months, the truck gets a check- up with a full maintenance job. They go bumper-to-bumper with an inspection list. Hone business knowledge Tom says having experience owning a business is a plus, but owner-operators must learn to budget time and money. "We plan out exactly how much each mile of a haul will cost us before we ever accept the job, so there are no surprises down the road," Tom says. They strategize by examining cost per mile versus revenue per mile. Randy Schole, owner of Country Tire in Bakersfield, knew the Moores prior to truck- ing and provides their tires now. "They have a good, solid control of their business – and know to the penny what it costs to run their truck on the highway," Schole says. "Besides that, they are refreshingly honorable and down-to-earth." Mind the load Tom and Karen pull flatbed, so 30 | Overdrive | December 2012 VDO - A Trademark of the Continental Corporation Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com