what a crock.....truck movers is so full of crap

THANK YOU FOR ARTICULATING THE SIMPLE TRUTH ! I'm a law school graduate who's only one 3-day exam away from being a fully licensed attorney and TM is currently abusing me in every possible way that I can imagine. Conversely, I've truthfully warned my dispatcher that I'm no stranger to successfully litigating cases in Federal Court. [ Email me and I'll send you a copy of my single-handed legal victory at the Federal level against a world-famous televangelist and his law school ] One of my former law school classmates currently works for the US Dept of Justice. Send me an email and together, perhaps we can teach these very "special" people some manners. Best Wishes, HerbChadbourne@gmail.com

 

Big siiggghh! I am just looking into this and spoke with Truck Movers today. I don't like the idea of being an independent contractor (companies that do this usually are rip offs & this releases them from all responsibility), or the out of pocket $1500. After reading all these posts, I'm REALLY wary. BUT! I am very resourceful, have owned my own businesses b4, and can operate efficiently. That being said, is there money to be made here or is it really that bad?

 

IT is very easy to lose money and your ### doing driveaway. That being said once you learn the ropes, your risk decreases.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I need to just leave this one alone.

 

Sir, would u mind messaging me the name and contact info of you job? Im graduating fron truck drivers school and would like to apply. Also if you have any info on unimark, I'd appreciate that as well. Thank you Sir for your time.

 

Wow, Very interesting read....INDEED!!

I'm a retired 32 year mechanic and 25 year CDL-A vehicle transport driver (Ford F-800 and "Take-3" trailer>26,000 lbs+) for the US Post Office Vehicle Maintenance Fleet (VMF).
Also 30+ years with Postal fleet F-350 and F-450 wreckers and F-550 rollbacks for recovery of Postal vehicles.

Have a decent pension and military disability income.
Kept my Postal union's health insurance and out of debt (Thank you 401K!!).

Have filled out T/M application (Yes, Found them searching for Hot-Shot and CDL-A jobs on "Craig's List"). Scheduled Thursday for Drug test and to renew my DOT med card (My expense).

Also looked at "U-Ship" with my one-ton Dodge Cummings duelie and buying a cargo and/or a auto-boat transport trailers. Just didn't want to beat and maintain my own equipment after turning wrenches the past 30 years on Uncle Sams Postal vehicles.

Mostly I'm bored and looking to travel and keep busy and thought I liked the idea of truck delivery with time between loads if I want to explore.

I have a car dolly and Ford Ranger with a pop-up truck camper with air, kitchen appliances, sink+water, propane heat, and sleeper. And am looking at T/M's Tractor frame hitch(s) I viewed through their "U-Tube" links, to pull the dolly and towed vehicle with contract vehicle.

Getting discouraged after deciding to research this industry and reading this and other online reviews.

Couple questions which this thread has generated and will ask Kim F.(recruiter) tomorrow.
Do ya'll have any other questions I should ask (respectfully) and welcome your experienced input to relay in these and other questions that should be asked before proceeding down this route;

1. I understand I will be responsible for any undocumented damage (pics/checklist with shipper initials?) pre-existing and/or during to the delivered vehicle's transport?
Is this what my $1500 security deposit (Would rather pay upfront with Pay-Pal to have documentation/receipt) is for and is there insurance to cover damages/liability above the deposit?

2. Is there a description of type of vehicle and it's condition and delivery point and next load info after drop before accepting the pick-up?

3. Is there checklists available to document vehicle condition with pics to be completed with shipper after determining vehicle is roadworthy?

4. Do all fuel and other expenses to make this delivery come out of my $0.60/mile compensation?
Any compensation for travel to next pickup beyond 1-2 hours?

5. How is it coordinated as far as when and where to next pick up and any assurance there is another assignment?

6. If a transport is declined due to condition what happens?

7. If you decide to opt out/ unavailable for a period of time are there consequences?

8. As a "Contractor" how might it affect my personal auto insurance in performing these contracts, in route, between pickups with my person vehicle. I assume I will need to acquire commercial insurance at a much higher premium? Will call my agent asap.

Etc.....??

Was excited about this venture and don't have to work......Just want to do what I enjoy..........DRIVING

Thanks,
Steve

.

 

I would be very interested to hear what u find out. For starters, the guy I spoke to said .70 per mile. Mentioned a tow dolly for my BMW, which is rear wheel drive, and was told that wouldn't work. From what I have researched, the only vehicles that can be free wheeled w/o damage to it are Jeeps or Saturns. Please share whatever information u find out. I'm still on the fence about this.

 

GoPostal. They will pay .70 a mile and go up to .80 on singles with horrible fuel mileage. Expect to get dispatched trucks that only get 3 to 4 mpg.

How about his instead: deliver RV buses. You can sleep in them. Take your wife/girlfriend see thk they I have a lot I could say about truck movers
I wasn't a singles driver, I was a deck driver for TM for about 2 yrs. I still delivered a few singles though. I have a lot I could say about truckmovers. And not all of it is bad.

 

driverkc,

Can you request R/V's and bus's only and is there enough runs through T/M's and/or others as a contractor to keep moving?

Would like this venture to be at our discretion and possibly bid "U-Ship" work between/in-transit to T/M pick-ups if not another load avail close by the last drop, once acclimated.

I would like to, and have ability to, pay all deposits/bonds and necessary tow equipment/hitches up front without going into debt or obligation to any company.

Again, we are comfortably retired and want to travel/explore while covering work/living expenses AND make a reasonable income.

A P/M with other recommended avenues/venues would be appreciated.

Thank you for your experienced reply,
Steve

 

Driverkc, how can a bobtail truck only get 3-4 mpg? Of course, I was told they would get 9-13, which I've never experienced in a truck b4, but I have gotten 8mpg in a loaded Freightliner. U said u could say alot about T/M, both good and bad. I'd love to hear both. Thanks!