Like most worthwhile things in life, being an independent trucker is both challenging and rewarding.

First the good news: Rates are competitive, and there is plenty of available freight because Baby Boomers are retiring and fewer young people are going into long-haul trucking. Independent truckers are a special breed, and the lure of being your own boss trumps all.

On the other hand, your rig is expensive and requires a lot of TLC; your cash flow, at times, is unpredictable; and staying healthy while on the road may prove more difficult than expected. No wonder consultants who track such things say there’s a 50-50 chance that a new business owner starting out today will still be in the business in five years (continued...)