ask your questions about prime inc here

i didnt think of it that way ... sounded crazy but i guess that would make sense ..... just watching out for the nephew in the trucking industry .. i been doing this for many years and i want to make sure he does ok while he is out here ...

 

I read somewhere here that you have to pay up to $1,000 to prime in small weekly payments for damages inside the truck. I ask my fm about it and he did not know anything about it, but that he will try to find out. Who do i talk to in prime about that?

 

Since I started making my drivers pay for their "flatbedding equipment but not TARPS " we have had a lot less theft and loss

 

Thanks for your reply. It might have been for the pet deposit, but even if u dont have a pet on the truck and still incur some damages to the interior, you will still have to pay for that, either up front b4 u leave prime or prime keeps your last check, and i dont want them to keep my last check. I rather take the truck into the terminal now and tell them about the damages and see what it cost and then let them take small weekly payments until the cost, whatever it is, is paid.

 

So IP, it seems there may be used flatbed equipment that could picked up for less than $2600? That is if those leaving would sell it back to the company.

Or do you have to buy new?

What other equipment / supplies would be needed when you are assigned your own truck?

 

This is for ironpony (or another prime employee with first hand knowledge)....

Do you know of any specific scenarios where a new prime hire (that came in with a CDL and all endorsements already but no recent driving exp) DIDNT have to do a year before being able to switch over to tankers?

Really want to avoid pulling a van.... Just looking for the tanker experience and wouldn't care about a low starting wage to get it..... But I haven't been driving since 09

 

all drivers that want to go into the tanker devision must have at least a year otr. It's an insurance and liability issue. Also it's a bit to get used to. Your load shifts and if you take a turn in a tanker at the same speed that you could handal in a reefer your gonna roll. It's not where a rookie should start. If you wanna do some "specialized loads" go flatbed man it can be a good workout tarping.

 

You do not need all new equipment. But I would get. New tarps. If you buy from prime all new at the price they have on the sheet your looking at 3200 before tax.

The list is as fallows.
1 winch bar their cost 11.71
20 20' log chains 30.78ea
20 ratchet/snap binders 22.59ea
24 coil/chain protector 2.23/ea
10 coil rack pads 7.98/ea
10 coil racks 8.41/ea
1 smoke tarp(12'x16x4') 100
2 steel tarps(16.5'x25'x4') 218.75/ea
2 end tarps (24.5x18x8) 287.50/ea
24 edge protectors 2.45/ea
4 2"x30' strap 13.10/ea (used 7.23/ea)
20 4"x30' strap 11.03/ea (used 5.14/ea)
3 4" ratchet 31.81/ea (used 25/ea)
10 4x4 bevel timbers 5.63/ea
24 rubber coil protectors 2.71/ea
150 21" bungees (50 per box) $39/per box
1 safety glasses 3.38
1 hard hat 4.89
1 chin strap 4.83
1 strap winder 8.71
1 tarp repair kit (included glue and material) 16.53
4 pipestakes 25.39
1 100' roll of plastic sheeting $72
corner protectors (OPTIONAL) .86/ea
tarp guards (OPTIONAL) 1.36/ea

my running total for all new equipment (if my math is correct) $3173.23 payments of 56/wk will be taken out of your check. You DO NOT have to buy from prime but you must have it when you sign for your truck.

Their prices on a lot of stuff beat most places. If you buy your own stuff elsewhere make sure it's a good reputable company and will last don't go buying cheap crap your gonna have to replace next month or even next year. Tarps should last many years. You will go through bungees so keep the receipts for your taxes! EVERYTHING you buy to use on your truck can be used for tax write offs. Keep in mind it has to be able to be used on the truck. Don't go buying a lawn mower thinking it's a tax write off for your truck.

Also don't buy walmart 2"x30' straps for a buck a piece they are not rated for the WLL you need.

 

Hmmm, if I choose to go to Prime I will do so as a brand new CDL holder with no experience. Told recruiters I didn't really want to reefer, will have tanker endorsement, could I drive tanker after competition of my 40,000 miles. Response was yes, most of the 40 would be reefer with only last 10,000 or so as tanker, then I could go to the tanker division. Is this "recruiter speak" or truth?