Centurion Transport....Jacksonville, FL

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by country4life, Jan 14, 2015.

  1. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    Anything on these guys out of Jacksonville, FL? Cant find too much on the internet about them nor do I know anything on the type of equipment they operate. If anyone out there with any info, feel free to chime in: pay, home time, equipment, etc.......thanks
     
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  3. Sledge07

    Sledge07 Light Load Member

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    I have two friends that work for them, and am possibly going to look into it myself. They both are in a stinger class car hauler driven by a Peterbilt. They say average weeks are 1500 gross and home on most weekends with the option to grab loads into the weekend. I'll post more as I find out.
     
    country4life Thanks this.
  4. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    thank you Sledge07, Im currently in the interviewing stages of Centurion. I just hope they aren't away from home for more than 2 weeks at a time.
     
  5. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    Find out anything new?
     
  6. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    I worked for them and regret leaving. Equipment is ok ... When I was in they were transiting to strap trucks. I ran Volvo daycabs, both high rail and quick loader. They have their own shop and the trucks are safe. You get to pick your load - long or short. Pull from Jacksonville at Toyota, JAX. Theres a railhead - Southeast Toyota - in Commerce Georgia. I would run the southeast and was always home on the weekends. Their system takes a little getting used to but dispatchers always made sure I had some sort of a load going home on Friday. I never made less than $1000 a week.
     
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  7. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    Thank you Rocky, Im currently going into my 2nd week of training with Centurion. Im home now (Americus,GA) and will probably head back out on Sunday evening. So far, I am liking everything they've told us. I know you have had to work for them in the past because everything you've stated is what I've found out last week from being there in training. And as far as equipment, their entire fleet is almost new. I think they told us in orientation/training that there are 25 more new haulers coming in this year. They still currently have the Volvo's you've stated but they are only using them for spare trucks and on the new guys (hint:me)...and you hit it right on the money with the pay (atleast that's what they also told me). They said once we've learned the ropes, there is no reason we should make no less than $80,000 a year. And I take it that you were saying that you didn't BRING HOME no less than $1,000 a week? But anyways, if you have any additional info on them, feel free to post here. Oh, almost forgot to ask who you work for now? Car hauling still? If so, what company? and what made you leave Centurion?
     
  8. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    I'm in Georgia too - actually moved here because of car hauling. I started out hauling my own used cars for local dealers with a dually pickup and a 3 car trailer. I got my own numbers and moved up to a day cab and 6-car hauler. Within a few years I was running several 9/10 car rigs. The money was pretty much like Monopoly money. The trucks ran and the checks came in like clockwork. Then the industry took a turn and several of the companies I was hauling for - one by one - stopped paying/offering loads. I went O/O for Hansen and Adkins hauling Nissan. Eventually became a company driver with Centurion -- So to answer your question -- Why did I leave Centurion? --- I was a bitter driver used to making my own decisions and making lots more money. Yes, the smallest check I can remember was about $980 after taxes and I think I did one run south to north and back and quit working that week because I hate the cold.

    That said - this is not an easy job, but it is very rewarding. I am actually selling the idea of OTR to my better half now and working on my Centurion application. Regarding income ... I think $70,000 is about average income. I was a spoiled princess and always found ways to route myself near home so I could sleep in my own bed. If you run this job the way it needs to be run I see no reason why a driver could not make $80,000 - I think the car business has recovered and Centurion knows how to make money.

    Regarding trucks ... I remember Centurion was moving on to Freightliner strap trucks with sleepers. My only concern with them is height ... Vehicles have gotten bigger and bridges are still the same height! I loved the Volvos ... ran 007 and 021. Both were old girls that had been around the world but once I got the bugs worked out they were perfect. Keep your chains hung, straps folded and posts greased and you won't have any problems.

    Load board ... The secret to Centurion is to get on the board as soon as possible. You'll understand what I am saying soon. Do not waste a minute ... If you have a load sheet then go get your cars right there and then. I would run to get my cars and get my exercise in at the same time. Figure your load configuration before you put your first car on.

    Some guys line there cars up - some load each one as they pick it ... Heres my method: Park the truck, drop your decks and ramps ... I had all my decks marked with paint pen for "loading" - "large vehicles" - "Midsize" - and "compact mix" ... I got one load of 10 Corollas in my career. Set your locks - Run and get your first car, drive up to the head rack, chain/strap her down and push the deck to the sky - REPEAT. Make sure your bottom cars are the first you will drop ... try to avoid unloading and reloading at dealerships - this will reduce the chances of damage. Once your loaded no messing around. If you have time RUN - If you need a break then sleep. The trick to this job is to run hard when you are able to and sleep hard when you run out of time. On - Off

    I will see you out there soon
     
  9. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    Thanks a lot Rocky for the informative information!
    That is kinda what one of the "Vets" told me on the Westlake yard (about running hard and keeping that drivers door closed). Im going to be out of the Jacksonville terminal so that Id get home more. And to touch on the equipment, I think I will be getting one of those nice Volvo's you were talking about but Im up for the challenge! I look forward to working for Centurion and hopefully I will see you out there....they call me Country4Life on the handles....safe trucking!
     
  10. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    Looks like I will be in the March class :biggrin_25520:
     
  11. country4life

    country4life Light Load Member

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    I might see you out here. Back at the hotel now And it was a hot one outside today! And the worse is yet to come!
     
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