Owning the Open Road: Three Drivers’ Journeys to Truck Ownership through PGT’s Lease Purchase Program

Challenges of Lease Purchase

Ray Squires

The biggest challenge was one all three drivers shared: managing the financial obligation to truck repairs and maintenance. As Ray explained, “Trucks break. They’re not perfect machines.” Balancing truck payments with his personal expenses was also a struggle. “You want to pay the repair bill off, but you have to make sure you have enough money to live on and pay your regular bills, too,” Ray said. “Learning to balance your expenses is one of the most important lessons with lease purchase.”

Howard agreed, saying, “Breakdowns were the biggest challenge I faced, but PGT helped when I got stuck in those situations. With their assistance, I was able to stay focused on the big picture and keep working toward my goal.”

According to PGT Lease Purchase Manager, David McKolosky, one of the best advantages with PGT’s Lease Purchase Program is our ability to help lease purchase drivers with truck maintenance. “PGT has own our maintenance shops, which gives us the flexibility to help our lease purchase drivers. We also lease our own equipment, so we can provide the full vehicle history when the driver enters the program.”

PGT’s Support Made the Difference

Howard Sullivan

Despite the difficulties, all three drivers credited PGT’s support for helping them stay on track. When Ray’s first truck faced too many repairs just four months into the lease, PGT quickly provided him with a replacement vehicle. We also worked with Ray to restructure his payments when a major engine repair threatened to derail his progress.

“PGT stood behind me,” Ray said. “They put the expenses on the back end of the loan so I could still afford the payments and keep running.”

Similarly, as Howard faced breakdowns on the road, PGT was there to help. “PGT will get you a hotel room if your truck breaks down out on the road,” said Howard. “Little things like that, which you might not think matter, go a long way for me. If you have to be in a hotel room for three days because your clutch went out in Laredo, and you don’t have a lot of money to spare, they’ll help out with that. Those kinds of things really make a difference.”

Collin received the same support, saying, “The big difference with PGT is the support they give you,” said Collin. “When a breakdown happens and you don’t have enough money saved, PGT will help you get through it financially.”

Advice for Aspiring Owner-Operators

Collin Bivens

Looking back, Ray’s advice to his younger self is to be prepared for the commitment required to succeed as an owner-operator. “Some guys, they don’t understand the full commitment that you have to make for truck ownership,” he said. “They want to own their own truck, but they don’t understand all the responsibilities that come with it.”

Howard adds to this, cautioning aspiring owner-operators to be patient. “If your truck is breaking down, you have to remember that it’s nobody’s fault,” said Howard. “It’s a truck. Things break down, and that’s just part of the job. You have to learn to deal with those kinds of things and stay calm.”

Collin’s biggest piece of advice is to save up before entering the lease purchase program, and to stay busy when you are in it. “Make sure you have money saved up before you enter the program and keep working. Stay busy,” said Collin. “You can’t make money if you aren’t working.”

David, PGT Lease Purchase Manager, echoes Collin’s advice. “You have to stay hungry in a lease purchase program. Many drivers want to enter the program and own their truck, but they aren’t willing to put in the work to be successful. PGT can help you reach that goal, but you have to keep at it.”

The Biggest Accomplishment: Paying Off Their Trucks

Perseverance pays off, and after a few years in PGT’s Lease Purchase Program, Ray, Howard, and Collin have now fully paid off their trucks.

Ray particularly feels a sense of pride and financial freedom, though he knows the work is never truly done. “In a way you do have financial freedom, but you also need to be prepared for cosmetic updates and ongoing maintenance. Being a truck owner means you always have to be responsible with your expenses,” Ray explained.

PGT Lease Purchase Manager, David, is extremely proud of the program’s success and the accomplishments of Ray, Howard, and Collin. “These drivers have worked incredibly hard to become owner-operators. My favorite part of the job is handing a driver their truck title and seeing the excitement on their face when they’ve finally achieved their goal.”

These stories are a testament to the power of determination and the value of a supportive partner like PGT Trucking. Their individual journeys serve as an inspiration for others who dream of owning their own truck and taking control of their professional future.

Are You Ready for Truck Ownership?

PGT is proud of our lease purchase program, helping truck drivers achieve their independence and grow their business since 1997. Whether you dream of owning a full fleet or just your truck, PGT will support your goals. We have late model equipment available, and for the first four weeks, tractor payments are deferred and free trailer rental is included to help you get started. Lease Purchase Operators earn 75% of line haul revenue and 100% of fuel surcharges. Apply today!