Continuing supply chain issues in the wake of COVID-19 have encouraged many truckers to start expanding and fill the trucker shortage with trucks of their own. But if you’re considering building your own trucking fleet, there are a few important things you should consider about this process. Keep reading to learn what those things are.

Fuel Consumption

Though there is a high demand for truckers nowadays, fuel costs are also extremely high across most of the country. Semi-trucks consume a great deal of gas, and you need to ask yourself if you’re prepared to face that cost. This is especially true if you’re planning to ship to other states that have even higher fuel costs than your own. It’s always a good idea to examine the fuel economy of any truck you’re adding to your fleet before you make that purchase.

Shipping Area

You’ll also need to consider exactly how far your fleet will be going. Some shipping companies will deliver all over the country, while some smaller shipping fleets will stick to a certain region or even to a single state. While having a wide shipping area can open up more opportunities to your business, it can also spread your trucks too thinly and come with higher costs. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of these options before setting your service area.

Business Plan

Simply knowing that the trucking industry faces consistently high demand is not enough to build a business on. You still need a solid business plan before you try to get your fleet on the road. Here are a few important things you should consider before launching into your business venture:

• Goals for your business
• Timeline for launching your company
• Budget details
• Workforce needs

These are all general areas, and you’ll need to flesh them out in great detail to ensure you’re ready to start moving forward.

Truck Costs

The semi-trucks in your fleet are the most important investment any owner-operator can make. You want to ensure you’re getting high-quality, reliable trucks, but you’re likely going to be on a tight budget for building your first fleet. A good way to balance those 2 factors is to look at used fleet trucks instead of buying new ones. With used trucks, you can get top-quality semis from manufacturers that you trust for a steeply discounted rate. This allows you to get the number of semis you need to launch your fleet while still having capital leftover for hiring, maintenance, fuel, storage, marketing, and the other costs associated with running a business.