Start a (Box) Straight Truck Business in 8 steps + [6 ideas]

Then, the product is delivered to the customer's door ASAP.  

For shorter-distance deliveries, the need for box truck businesses increases steadily as well as its profitability.

Is starting a box truck business profitable?

Per ZipRecruiter's report, a box truck owner operator's average salary ranges between $52,000 to $156,000 or $106,319 a year. That is $51,11 per hour, $2,045 per week, or $8,860 per month.

The top earners make $208,000 annually.

Is it worth making money with a box truck?

How much you make varies depending on many factors such as how much box trucking experience you have, where you operate, how many loads you deliver, how well you manage expenses, etc.

Find below the steps to start a box truck business an ideas for business.

Step 1. Create a business plan

A business plan should be the roadmap for your box truck business.

The benefit of having a business plan is that it organizes your thoughts relating to your business into an actionable plan.

In the beginning, don’t stress too much about getting your business plan perfect. Use it more as an organizational tool.

Later on, it may help to raise money from banks and investors.

That is when you’ll need to refine your business plan. These folks want to see a professional-looking business plan because it helps them to better understand the vision about your business.

Don’t know how to write a business plan? Use this business planning tool from The Small Business Administration website. 

Step 2. Establish your box truck business

• Give your business a memorable name

The name of your business should be memoizable.

It should be simple as - George Box Trucking, Purple Box Trucking, or Fly Trucking.

The last option is good because it doesn’t hinder future expansion if needed.

If you have trouble figuring out a name, try this business name generator to get ideas and start from there.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the US Patent and Trademark Office website to check their availability. 

Once on the website, go to Trademarks→Searching Trademarks→Search our trademark database (TESS).

Also, check the availability of related domain names using this domain name search tool.

Check if the exact name of your business is also available for a web domain. 

Also, create your social media profiles using the exact name of your box truck business.

That level of consistency across the web improves credibility for your business.

• Create a memorable logo

Another aspect of how your customers may memorize your box truck business is through a business logo.

There are two options to create a logo - a free one and a paid one.

The free option:

Go to canva.com and check out some of their logo templates.

You'll need to optimize the logo to your liking and business needs.

The paid option:

If you prefer a more ready-made solution, go on Fiverr and hire someone to create your logo. 

Note: Make sure your name and logo are original to your business and don't infringe someone else’s intellectual property.

Step 3. Register your box truck business

Find your state’s registration office using the SBA tool.

• File for EIN

What is an EIN?

That is the business's tax ID. In other words, an EIN is something like a social security number for businesses.

Apply for your EIN through the IRS website. Or get help from ZenBusiness getting an EIN. 

• Set up a business structure for your box truck company

At this step, you need to set up the legal structure of your business.

The chosen business structure shapes the business taxes, personal liability, and registration requirements. So, choose wisely. 

Here’s the main description of the four business structure types: 

• Sole Proprietorship - is a common choice for small businesses. In this case, the business entity makes no legal distinction between the company and the business owner. So, the entire income of the company goes directly to the owner. At the same time, the business owner is also responsible for any debts, losses, or liabilities.
• Partnership - this business structure has the same characteristics of a sole proprietorship with the exception of having multiple partners or business owners. As the owners, they keep the pre-tax income and are responsible for any losses. 
• Corporation business structure - shields owners from personal liability for their debts, and profits are distributed to shareholders rather than received directly.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) - Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. The owners are not personally liable for debts.

Most business owners choose an LLC to benefit from liability protection and pass-through taxation. 

You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using ZenBusiness’s online LLC formation. 

Note 1: This can be a complicated area and you don’t want to make mistakes. So, you may want to consult someone more experienced in this field. 

Note 2: Keep in mind that by choosing sole proprietorship, you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

• Register for taxes

Once you have your EIN, you need to choose your tax year.

This determines your business's tax cycle, while the chosen business structure determines the taxes needed to be paid.

Note: To ensure the correct taxes completion it is recommended to consult an accountant or other professional.

Step 4. Open a business checking account

Once your business is established and the business starts making money, you need to separate your personal from business finances.

That is why you need a dedicated business checking account.

You do not want to mingle personal with business assets.

Some benefits: 

• Keeping a separate account keeps things tidy from a recordkeeping and accounting perspective.
• It makes things easier when tax time comes.
• It makes it easier to track the company’s income.
• It signals credibility and professionalism when you write a check from your business account or ask someone to pay for your business. 

Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN, articles of incorporation, and other legal documents, and open your new account.

Step 5. Obtain funding

If you plan to buy a new truck or other things, the box truck business can be costly.

So, if you don’t have enough money in your personal savings, check out these financing ways to start a trucking company. 

Step 6. Obtain licenses and permit

To use a box truck for business requires you to get the below licensing and permits. 

• Depending on the category weight of your box truck, you may need or may not need a CDL.
• If you want your trucking authority, you need to apply to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a Motor Carrier (MC) Number and also get a Department Transportation number (USDOT number). 
• If your company transports cargo across state lines, you will also need a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR).
• Finally, you will also need an appropriate insurance for your box truck business.

The license requirements and how to obtain them vary from case to case. So, check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more.

Step 7. Get insurance for business

As insurance protects your business from devastating consequences resulting from unexpected events, it is essential to have appropriate insurance.  
Here are the kinds of insurance you should consider:

• General Liability: It covers a wide range of issues, making it the most comprehensive type of insurance. This is the only sort of insurance I recommend you should get. It even covers property damage and bodily injury.
• Business Property: Delivers coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Mechanical equipment failure is covered by equipment breakdown insurance, covering the cost of replacing or repairing the equipment.
• Workers Compensation Insurance: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property Insurance: Covers your physical space, whether a cart, storefront, or office.
• Professional Liability Insurance: It covers your business against claims of professional negligence.
• Business Interruption Insurance: Protects lost income and expenses if your business is forced to shut down due to a covered event.

There are a lot of companies that offer this type of insurance. Do your research to find a suitable insurance company for your business.

Step 8. Secure a parking location for your box truck

You will need a place to store your box truck when it’s not in use.

You will want to find a location that doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg, but one that isn’t too far from your target customers.

Box truck business ideas

1. Amazon contractors

If you own a 26k box truck, you may want to look into the Amazon Relay Partnering Program.

If you want to run for Amazon, pay attention to the straight truck requirements that they have on their website. 

2. Delivery jobs

With the growth of e-commerce, it makes perfect sense to start a box truck delivery businesses.  

Although the larger stores might already have their curriers, the medium and small businesses may still look for box truck delivery business.

If you spot enough demand for truck delivery service in your local area, you should learn how to start a non-CDL delivery business.  

3. Moving services

Since moving from one place to another can be a demanding task given the heavy load, it requires a truck to transport belongings.

Having a box truck, you can help your customer move to a different residential area or commercial property.

Besides offering the service, check the guidelines for owning a moving service in your area. Some states have strict regulations when it comes to moving household goods.

4. Advertise on your box truck

If your box truck moves around the city, that makes the vehicle a billboard on wheels.

Many local or even national businesses would be interested in advertising on your straight truck.

5. Junk removal jobs

Junk removal jobs involve driving, lifting, and loading many heavy items.

Some larger junk removal jobs involve cleaning out garages, storage units, and basements full of junk.

After picking up the items for return or disposal, you need to decide what to do with that Item and determine the most eco-friendly option in your area.

6. Become an owner-operator

As a business owner, you need to be aware that the demand for box truck services fluctuates in any market.

Today, the demand is enough to satisfy your financial needs, but tomorrow it may decrease and affect your earnings.

So, by cooperating with trusted logistic companies, they can provide you with a constant flow of loads.

So, learn how to become a box truck owner-operator.

7. Earn extra money with a box truck side hustle

If you want to make extra money, check out these box truck side hustles.

Side hustling provides a great way of making money besides your 9 to 5 job.

Side hustle jobs are part-time jobs, which means that you can choose your favorite working schedule.

Useful advice and information

1. In the beginning, don't expect to make as much as the CDL driver makes.

2. In your first year of starting a straight truck business, you will need to have a pretty good reserve of cash for fuel, oil, tires, breakdowns, insurance, meals, etc.

3. To remove the constant hassle of finding loads, consider working with a broker.

4. Before you start, determine what kind of deliveries you want to go for - local (lowest pay potential), intrastate within state boundaries (mid-level pay potential), or interstate (highest pay potential).

Be aware that no matter what load you pick, all costs of running that truck fall squarely on your shoulders.

5. Know your vehicle’s weight limit to avoid shutting you down due to being overweight while passing through a required scale on the road.

6. Promote your cargo van business on social media, local forums, or Facebook groups.

Set up a website and list your shipping services out there.

Create a Facebook Business Page and link it to your website.

To reach out to wider audiences, launch local advertising campaigns on Facebook or Google.

Once your website is up and running, contact cargo van delivery brokers and let them know about your services.

Partner with the big players in the trucking market such as FedEx, Panther II, CH Robinson, etc.

Related:

Box Truck: Everything You Need to Know