Need Help

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by skateboarder66, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. skateboarder66

    skateboarder66 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 8, 2014
    cushing, oklahoma
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    Well i'm back to looking for employment again. Last place didn't quite work out. I won't mention any names Just say that I had finally had enough of not getting paid for the things i was supposed too. What i would like to find is a smaller company, when i say small i mean 10 to 15 trucks maybe a fleet owner. Seems some of the smaller companies that own more trucks than that are trying so hard to become one of the big carriers that they employ the same screw you out of your pay tactics. I would prefer to work on a percentage and 10-99 rather than per mile. Also important is a rider policy. All the kids are grown and out so my wife likes to go on the road with me and she makes an awesome flatbed hand. I would prefer paper log. never been on an e log and not ready to start unless i have too. Most of the trucks i've driven weren't governed except the last one and that was at 68 mph. hate to do less than that. hard to make a lot a of miles in a slow truck. I live in Oklahoma so idealy i would prefer southeast regional. But also don't mind going west. Been running up north and east and its hard to make money driving through blizzards all the time. With the wife with me I don't need to be home every weekend. Don't mind staying out for 2-3 weeks at a time. I have experience in open decks. Pulled 48' and 53' flats, 53' stepdecks, Double drops, RGN's, connestogas, lots of oversized loads. Iv'e pulled a dry van and even a car hauler but don't care to do that again. Any help would be appreciated and thank you if you taken your valuable time to read all this. I know how important time is to a driver.
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Just noticed you're in Cushing. I used to work for Charlie Cline in the early 80's (Cherokee Lines) and Bray Lines also. The main road going north out of town. Anyway, Used to be Miller truck lines out of Stroud. Also Feed the Children over there in OKC. Check them out.
     
  4. skateboarder66

    skateboarder66 Bobtail Member

    7
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    Sep 8, 2014
    cushing, oklahoma
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    Thank you. Will check into those. Still is Miller over in Stroad. They're on e logs and slow trucks so passed on that.
     
  5. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    Unfortunately fuel is a primary expense and the easiest way to control the consumption is to slow the truck down. Company drivers dont like to change their driving habits and just want to hustle down the hwy with little to no regard to how much fuel they are using. I'm an O/O and set the gov on my truck to 72. Mainly to keep me out of trouble, though I run at 65 most of the time in order to conserve fuel.

    I've done the math and the mileage vs time is minimal at best. The money I save on fuel annually more then makes up for the 'inconvenience' of driving slow. Believe me,.. I have a heavy foot. I'd love nothing more than to be able to cruise at 70 - 75 mph. The costs are too substantial to ignore. 80% of my fuel savings comes from my revised driving habits.

    Its the hardest thing to slow down when in the back of your mind all you want to do is hurry up and make the delivery.

    Unfortunately I dont know of any companies in your area. If you have a good MVA and CSA I'm sure you will be fine. Make some calls and you will find a home.

    Hurst
     
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  6. dog-c

    dog-c Road Train Member

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    May 30, 2011
    New York, NY
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    Even with declining fuel prices are you still conserving ? Or not as much ?
     
  7. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Mar 12, 2009
    Mo Via Blackpool,Lancs.
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    My opinion on the company driver wanting to go 80mph, is to buy your own truck, period.
    I dare say there are a few companies left that run the trucks wide open, but my question would be why? By far, my number one operating expense is fuel. And I totally agree that an extra 5-10mph is doing next to nothing for your earnings and deliveries. When I am heavy I just cruise along most of the time, it isn't worth the full boost to maintain 70mph at 100k lbs or more, and doesnt really effect my deliveries etc as much as curfews, daylight running, permits, etc.
    The average speed would be 65mph I would guess, for company trucks. My average speed in the course of a day is normally less than that, so I dont really see a big issue in it. Yep it can be a pain at times Im sure, but something that could easily be overcome with some decent planning etc.
    We are out of Mn and run all over, but mainly midwest and west. Paper logs and good equipment, and most of our company guys that I know personally seem happy enough. Riders are also not an issue here. I doubt you would be happy here though from your initial posting. I think your path to happiness involves buying a truck. Companyv driving isn't for me after decades of truck ownership, but some weeks I can certainly see the attraction financially!
    I think you need to change some priorities myself. I would rather run at less MPH for higher pay and a more respect for a stable company, than run speed limits everywhere for less coin and no stability.
    Just my .02
    Best of luck to you

    Martin
     
  8. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

    6,618
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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    I am.

    I just had work done to my truck during my winter break. I was seeing fuel mileage between 5.2 - 5.8 mpg with an occasional tank above 6 mpg with light loads and modest terrain, to as low as 4.5 mpg with heavy loads in the mountains. I had my fuel system gone through, new lines, filter/separator, tanks flushed, new injectors, new mufflers and retuned the 435hp BXS C15 to 500hp. Other things were done that we cant discuss. I was skeptical. I figured at the very least if MPG stayed the same at least I would enjoy the new HP (It really woke up the motor). But now I am seeing back to back tanks, 6.34, 6.52 and my last one was 6.18.

    I left Fla last week and since leaving the state line, I've been getting fuel between $2.46 and $2.59 gal. In Ct right now and unfortunately I dont think I'll be able to find it for under $3 any where close before I roll out of this area.

    But yeah,.. compared to fuel at $3.85 gal, imagine saving $1 - $1.30 per gal at the pump (Saving roughly $260 - $290 per fill up) plus another .75 - 1 mpg going down the road, until fuel prices jump back up, I plan to save as much as I can. At the current rate if things hypothetically stay like this I could theoretically save $25,000 - $35,000 in fuel costs, compared to last year.

    Hurst
     
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  9. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

    3,607
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    Mar 12, 2009
    Mo Via Blackpool,Lancs.
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    How can he not? Serious question too I am guessing?
    5.5 mpg for legal loads, vs 6.5mpg for the same loads is ALWAYS going to end up being financially rewarding.
    Get a calculator and divide 100k miles by 6.5, and then multiply that by our "declining" fuel price of @$2.80. Then do the same for 5.5.
    At 6.5 that equates to $43,076 in fuel alone. At 5.5 it equates to $50,909. A difference of $7,833 for doing nothing more than slowing down a little.
    Difference is more when fuel rises, less when it falls. But the difference is ALWAYS there, and I agree when people state that it is indeed money for nothing.

    Martin
     
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  10. dog-c

    dog-c Road Train Member

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    New York, NY
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    Very informative - very wise posts. TY
     
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  11. dog-c

    dog-c Road Train Member

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    New York, NY
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    Just curious but do you use the bully dog ? What about the air flow mudflaps? Any additional equipment to improve your mpg?
     
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