Straight Trucks or Vans Drivers

[Greg Sevcik]

I was wondering if someone could tell me the Pros and Cons of owning,driving one of these trucks.It may be cheeper to operate one of these--but then I would think the rate of pay is also cheeper.
I see on the road alot of the time straight trucks or vans from a trucking Co. called Panther Trucking and wonder if these guys make enough money to live on.

ANY INFO on this would be a great help!
Thanks---Greg

[Baack]

We actually have a couple of expedite drivers
And a poster by the name of Rick, who is on the road till this weekend who is very knowledgeable
Hold on and other will chime in
Read through our expedite forum and see what you can pick up
Good luck

[Greg Sevcik]

Thanks--I will keep looking.

[gandrew]

Greg: as you probably already know, vans like ford econolines or sprinter vans do not have to keep logs unless they carry hazmat. That's a biggie for a lot of drivers. No scales, no logs, run long, run hard. Downside is that there are a LOT of vans available, and the rate per mile is less than the larger truck. Fuel mileage is better on them, so it compensates. In a D truck there are more load opportunities because more skids can be put in back and more weight can be carried. Team driving is easier because of larger sleepers. Rates are $1.15 a mile and up. More shippers would put hazmat on a D truck than a cargo van. I guess it's all what you want to do. I'm in my third D truck, this time with a single rear axle and a big 100 inch sleeper. Got a 450 hp CAT and 10 spd autoshift. Loves to run but we keep it 65mph or less and never exceed the speed limit, which ticks off a lot of other big rig drivers.

[RickG]

The thing about expediting is many drivers start out driving for a fleet owner . You make all the choices of loads and drive it like it's your own . Usual split of revenue is 60% to driver and 40% to owner . Driver buys the fuel and gets 100% of the fuel surcharge . Earnings are down in expediting like everywhwere else but they are still making a living at it . The good thing about driving for a fleet owner is if things don't work out you can walk away and not be stuck with truck debt . Panther can hook you up with a fleet owner .

[IrunU]

if you drive a cargo van you will never have a placard load. Panther will shut you down after 16 hrs. Any more info just ask

[RickG]

Originally Posted by IrunU

if you drive a cargo van you will never have a placard load. Panther will shut you down after 16 hrs. Any more info just ask

O.K. , how long is the break you have to take after 16 hours in a cargo van ?

[IrunU]

In a cargo van you have to take a 5 hour break after 16 hrs

[Greg Sevcik]

First let me say THANK-YOU all for giving me some info on this subject.A little back ground on me.

I worked for a big Manufacturing Co.for 15 years.I worked in the Electrical Dept.The Co.closed the plant and moved the work to EL Paso, TX. Before I worked there I worked part time driving a Straight truck(for 5 years) making pick-up and del.at O'HARE.That was one job that I really liked.
I have seen the trucks from Panther and was just wondering if the drivers made any good money at it.I feel that it is something that I would like to do if the money was good,however I am not sure about how the pay works. O.K. I know that you get so much per mile but the fuel surcharge? Do I pay for it first and then get it paid back to me?How long does it take to get paid back to me?Is it once a month,a week?
Does the fleet owner take out taxes like-S.S.-income tax,unemployment and so on?

These are just a few ?s I have. Thanks for all the help.
Greg

[RickG]

Originally Posted by Greg Sevcik

First let me say THANK-YOU all for giving me some info on this subject.A little back ground on me.

I worked for a big Manufacturing Co.for 15 years.I worked in the Electrical Dept.The Co.closed the plant and moved the work to EL Paso, TX. Before I worked there I worked part time driving a Straight truck(for 5 years) making pick-up and del.at O'HARE.That was one job that I really liked.
I have seen the trucks from Panther and was just wondering if the drivers made any good money at it.I feel that it is something that I would like to do if the money was good,however I am not sure about how the pay works. O.K. I know that you get so much per mile but the fuel surcharge? Do I pay for it first and then get it paid back to me?How long does it take to get paid back to me?Is it once a month,a week?
Does the fleet owner take out taxes like-S.S.-income tax,unemployment and so on?

These are just a few ?s I have. Thanks for all the help.
Greg

Good questions . The drivers for fleet owners are independent contractors . They work for a percentage of the revenue and you will get a 1099 from the fleet owner . You're self employed . The fuel surcharge is an extra charge to the shipper and you receive it when you get the load settlement . IrunU can tell you more about Panther pay policies . The last I heard their idea of an advance is paying 50% when they get signed copies of the bill of lading after the load is delivered . The money is better than OTR but from what I heard drivers are making about 20% less than last year . If construction picks up with stimulous money it will help . Repair parts for construction equipment are shipped by expedite .