Why do some Fail @ Mercer

I do appreciate what you said on the other post. I was trying to get help wherever I could. I didn't want to sit another day after deadheading 350 mi just to learn they wouldn't load me.

 

It happens. You got a very specialized trailer there. It's gonna happen again. It's just a matter of when, not if.

 

Is there good step deck freight here? If I come over to mercer I might be coming with a 50 ft step deck. Is there still a wait for flatbeds?

 

Yes there is good step deck freight. But like everything, it depends on the guy and how versatile he is. The advantage of a step is the versatility. Being willing and able to haul anything and go anywhere. To meant Gia cone over here with little knowledge of lanes and markets and get a heavy ### steel frame step to go with their heavy truck, only carry a couple 4 ft drop tarps, won't go west, won't go east, won't run anything under 1000 miles, won't dh more than 100 miles, don't have levelers, don't have ramps. And ##### they can't make money.

If you're gonna pull a step at a company that is mainly a flat bed carrier, you need to be versatile. Gotta be able to keep your empty weight down so you can load heavy flat bed loads when the sd freight just isn't there. And gotta be able to take advantage of that step deck when the freight is there.

Personally, i can't wait till i got a low pro 32 inch low deck height step behind me. But I'm gonna be willing to go everywhere and have ramps, levelers, and 10 ft drop tarps so that i can actually use that step for what is designed for. Versatility.

 

Forgot to mention it's a combo so a little weight savings there but it's 50 ft so it's heavier than a 48. Sliding spread. Got 8 ft ramps and full tarps.

I just always hear that mercer doesn't have much for steps but if there's a waiting list for flats I figure this trailer will get me in the door quicker.

 

Don't have levelers. It was the first thing on my list to get though.

 

A lot of guys pull combo steps. I just wouldn't want to pair it with a heavy truck. In my opinion you gotta be able to scale 46k minimum. Obviously no one gites looking for heavy freight, but the ability to haul it can keep you from sitting or a long dead head. Versatility wins every time.

If you already got ramps, you could get a machine shop to fabricate you up a set of levelers a whole lot cheaper than what these trailer dealers sell them for.

Edit to add: just call up recruiting to find out about a waiting list on flats. I think a guy can do really well with a step deck here. But I've got the benefit of 25 years experience chasing freight. If you haven't ever had to really study freight lanes and markets, or you need to be home every weekend, you would be better off starting with a flat. Learning how to Chae freight is tough enough for a new guy, trying to do it with a step deck would make that learning curve even harder.

 

There are loads out there. Some brokers are more proactive than others. You are at their mercy. Some brokers have legit shippers while others are content with just cherry picking loads off the DAT board.

It would seem to me that a broker would jump at the opportunity to load a curtainside step.....it's pretty specialized and garners good rates. I would get on the phone to a mercer broker and let them know what u have.

There are a few systems at mercer that are in play. One is the Good Ole Boy system which drivers refer to as "know the system." It exists. However this type of behavior is found at most carriers to include Landstar. If there are any left overs it will go on the load board with the other freight with the slop rates. Some of the brokers work like the Clintons and take care of their buddies/favorites while showing a different face to the other drivers.

The other system is to keep a sharp eye on the load board and try and ninja a load when it gets posted. This technique works well especially when you are in a good position on the board.

The other system is try to learn what lanes to stay out of. Learn which customers are actually Mercers and their production/shipping habits. Some shippers are predictable.

 

The good ol boy conspiracy crapola again. Its a freaking broken record of blaming others for their own failures.

 

It is not crayola. We have become a part of "knowing the system".