mercer transportation

I think the fan doesn't come on until it hits 215 On mine.

 

Yeah, all the isx engines I've had operate between 180 and 215, the fan kicks on at 215. If it's hot out they stay around 200, if it's not hot out it runs between 180 and 190 unless pulling a hill.

 

I have a few questions. I called a recruiter today and asked a few questions and she seemed less than knowledgeable about the subject so I figured I'd ask here. If this has been asked before, I apologize. I tried to read all of the 8,962 posts but who has that kind of time.

1 - I will be new to flat bed. Will the company allow you to purchase your securement equipment through the company store and take it out of your settlements or do you have to buy it out-right. I have the $3,000 to buy the stuff but I'd rather keep it in my pocket for a rainy day if I can.

2 - As far as leasing a trailer, the lady told me it was $535/mo for flat and $720/mo for step. She said that parts of the payment are taken out from each settlement. I asked her if that's $535/mo for a brand new trailer or a used one and she didn't know. At $535/mo for 64 months, that comes out to $34,775. I would assume that would be for a new ~$20,000 flat bed with their up-charge added to it. Could someone verify the monthly cost of a new/used trailer through mercer and what brand of trailer and if they have sliding ratchets, etc.

I narrowed the companies I want to move to down to Landstar and Mercer. After talking with LS today and they told me that they take their cut PLUS $180/wk for flat for rental (yes rental and not purchasing) I said no thanks. It looks like Mercer is where I want to be.

 

You have to pit half down on all cargo securement products bought through Mercer. So if you spend 3000 you have to put out 1500 and the rest will be taken from your settlement. Not all at once but gradually.



The trailers are great Dane 48 foot combos . 10 foot spread with two toolboxes and sliding winches no chain pullouts . the price for those I believe 548 a month on a 60 month term? They are brand new trailers.

The steps 748 a month I believe they are also great Danes . Don't know anymore about theme other than there's quit a waiting list for one.

 

That doesn't seem too bad for a brand new trailer as compared to the prices I'm seeing on truck paper. You'll have to forgive me but what are chain pullouts? I've never heard that term before.

That's great news on the securement equipment. I'd rather do that and keep more money in the bank in case I need it.

 

Sorry. Chain anchor points they are built into the trailer along the outside edge or frame of the trailer. Instead of anchoring to a spool or stake pocket , you pull up one of the recessed chains and anchor to that.

 

I gotcha now.

Can you purchase your insurance through mercer for the trailer? I'm sure I could get it where I have my trucks insurance but it might be easier just doing it through mercer.

Also, would I fill out an app and if accepted, tell them that I need a trailer and be put on a waiting list until one is available? I want a flat, not a step. I just wouldn't want them to say "be at orientation on X day" and I get there and have to wait weeks for a trailer. I'd prefer to go to orientation once I had a trailer lined up.

 

Yes you can purchase trailer insurance through Mercer.

Yes they put you on a waiting list for a trailer once you have been approved. Usually you come to orientation once a trailer is available for you. I have heard 1 or 2 guys say they did orientation and were waiting on a trailer. But I don't believe that is something that happens often. Maybe they got to orientation and decided they wanted to go with a flat instead of a van?

 

That makes sense. I guess I'm just nervous about making the jump. I've been at my current company since I started and I never had to go to any major company or anything like that. I started 4 years ago fueling trucks at this company and worked my way up to a lead man in the shop then went to driving and worked my way up to O/O. I'm used to the way my company works and while its a gravy job, the money definitely could be better. Home every other night and off on weekends, paper logs, straight out and back no bouncing around, average 3200 - 3500 miles a week. Sounds great right? Not at 83 cents per miles plus FSC it's not.

 

One last question and I promise I'll leave you alone, how do they do fuel? Do you get a fuel card that deducts out of your settlement like a comdata card? Do you get the fuel portion of the pay before the load? Or, is the fuel on you until you deliver the load and get paid?