Hello, all. I’ve been local for the last year or so, and am wanting to return to over the road driving. Driving local just isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. (For me.)
I’m entering my fourth year of driving, and I’d really like to try running dry vans opposed to reefers. I started with Prime Inc. and ran for them my first two years and a good work/sleep schedule was almost non-existent pulling that reefer.
So I guess my first question regarding OTR dry van would be this- Are the work/sleep schedules a little more manageable? I’ll be honest and say that I prefer to shut down at night and run during the day. Something that used to be hard to do hauling frozen goods. Is this a realistic expectation? Or am I coming off too naive? Don’t be afraid to give me honest feedback. I’m searching for a place that I can call home and need all of the help that I can get in seeking out additional information.
I’ve looked into several companies, but have narrowed it down to two that have really jumped out at me so far. I’ll list them below and hope to contact someone who knows more about them. Or even better, someone who either currently works there or has so in the past.
And before anyone asks, I’d rather not seek out any information from recruiters and risk being sold any false hope. Which is why I’m reaching out here first before I pick up the phone. I just want to make the right decision first.
1) Danny Herman- I’ve heard that the length of haul is 1,500+. Is that true? However, I’ve also heard through the grapevine that the pay is pretty lackluster but have been unable to find much regarding that subject. How much night driving do they do over there? Forced dispatch?
2) Crete Carrier- I see that they advertise between 55 and 60 CPM which is great. However, no APUs on the trucks. How is that manageable during the summer months? Length of haul? Also heard that they aren’t forced dispatch. Does anyone have any truth to that? Night driving?
Appreciate the feedback in advance, everybody. I’m also open to other company suggestions if somebody wants to toss some other names my way.
Danny Herman Vs. Crete. Suggestions? Honest feedback needed.
Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by WilliamReynolds1997, Feb 1, 2021.
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@Dockbumper currently drives for Danny Herman Trucking.
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Which state do you live in? -
Ask some questions in this Crete thread. I know it says 2013 but it is still an active thread
Crete Carrier - A Year In Review - Fall 2013 Going ForwardRocks and Professor No-Name Thank this. -
My advice would be stay away from the mega turd companies. They are about the same. Find a good private fleet and on the weekends when you are enjoying your time off drive by a truck stop and check out all the goobers that are stuck there all weekend a thousand miles from home. Some cats love that lifestyle. I would rather be home enjoying family and friends. 60cpm looks good on paper if you can average 2500-3000k a week. You’ll never do that at a mega. That’s my 2 cents anyway.
Rocks, Nolelover61, DoubleO7 and 4 others Thank this. -
I work for Crete's reefer fleet (Shaffer), and we use the same trucks as Crete. All our Freightliners have opti-idle for cooling in the summer, and bunk heaters in the winter(although my bunk heater won't function without me setting the opti-idle, on battery mode). We have 1200 watt inverters, and built in fridges. But...we also have all the nanny crash avoidance crap that nags you when it even thinks you're doing something wrong. I called the last truck my ex-wife Christine (ex-wife because it nags endlessly, Christine because it was like the car in the movie, I swore it was trying to kill me). The length of haul at Crete is lower than Shaffer, and so is the per mile rate, but still is a decent rate. Not the highest, but by far not the lowest. I know @iraqralph43 works for the Crete side and said he grossed in the $80's last year. I am not sure what Herman's insurance is like, but over here at Creaffer I am paying less for BCBS with a lower deductible than what I was paying when I worked for Wylie (and they were part of the Daseke flatbed family of companies that were all insured under the same group policy). Overall I am content working for Crete/Shaffer, my only real complaint is I am on my 4th truck in the last 3ish months, and it has issues, and the company shops are way overloaded with work because they are under staffed, so getting those issues resolved might take a while. A visit to most of the shops requires a 24-48 hr wait.
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The advice about a private fleet is good. I would check out H & M Trucking out of Omaha. I work there and they are a good company. I drive vans and I am pretty much spoiled by the hours. I say that because I am able to have a good sleep schedule with almost no night driving. If you talk to recruiting they will shoot straight with you. Basically they tell you like it is and if you don't like it they say ok well it's not for you then.
The equipment is top notch. 70 mph trucks. Equipment is maintained very well. They get you home on time and pay well. The people there are great. The safety department is actually nice to the drivers. You won't find that at Crete.Rocks and Need4Speed Thank this. -
It’s sad that you say you have done research and you ended up with these choices. I think you’re going to be disappointed with either one. Just flip a coin and while you begin your decent into misery start to think of different kinds of trucking that don’t involve van trailers and mega carriers.
Rocks, BlueThunderr, Dna Mach and 5 others Thank this. -
That was my point. If he truthfully has 4 years exp he can certainly do better than a mega if his record is clean.
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