DJ Franzen

does anybody know about there lease are they a good company

 

(my first post)

I know this thread is dead, but if some one else wants to know later, this will be here....

I drove for DJ Franzen for 4 mos a few years ago, so my experience is limited. The loads out of Iowa paid well $2.64, the loads back to Iowa didn't pay so good, usually less than half as much $1.17 for example. The drivers that have been there for years get very good runs, which they should, they helped build the company. Franzen also allowed me to book my own back hauls, they weren't not always happy with it, but they allowed it. My wife got good at finding loads of plants/shrubbery that paid well. The dispatchers are like all others, often they are good, but at times suck. ALSO, we parted ways on not so good terms (my own hot headedness) and they left my DAC alone, and would rehire per their comments on my DAC.

Their load of pork that goes to Miami paid awesome but closest backhaul was Atlanta. ouch.

I kept getting pork loads that routed close to the house so I got to see momma and the kids often, this was a nice touch.

The truck would go 88 mph. This was bad for my mpg. Never got a ticket tho.

I was not nearly business minded enuff for my own truck. They were ok. I sucked.

 

how are the trucks

 

My Pete was in average shape. Autoshift. I had to get used to it. No mechanical issues for the short time I was in it. There were some drivers that b*tched because their trucks were always in the shop, but I guess I got lucky. Their trailers were in good shape and always had good rubber.

Its a true walk away lease. I brought it back and walked away. No questions asked.

 

do they allow riders and how many miles can i run can you give info on the lease

 

Riders were allowed. They allowed creative HOS management, and I ran a bunch of miles, at times. Sometimes I would lose half a day while they were finding me a load, then waited a day once or twice and so I got the wife on the load boards and solved that issue.

The lease, if I remember correctly, was no money down, like $460 a week and $50 to a maint account. No payments for 2 weeks. Once you get so much in the maint account then that stops. My truck was a year old with 90,000 miles on it when I got it. The fuel card charges your settlement for fuel and Franzen for refer fuel.

After the backhaul, sometimes I had to load out of Marshaltown, MN. That was suprising because I tried to get routed close to DesMoines, and wouldnt know where next load would come from. Loading out of Marshaltown sucked cause I would be ready for a load after 12pm or so then wait til the next business day to be dispatched to marshaltown that would load the next day. 2.5 days lost, good time to rest up and to play CB Rambo at the Bosslemans. Stuff like this happens everywhere I guess.

 

While at the Bosselmans, RECRUIT! $500.00 bonus for a recuit that works for Franzen for 90 days. $250 then $250. So sitting aint that bad. Make $500 and spend none. Thats what the bird dog used to be, dont know about nowadays...

 

DJ Franzen what a scam and a good one. The drivers drive for free in hopes of owning the truck one day. After realizing they cant go on without a paycheck they turn in the truck and have nothing to show for all there hard work. In the meantime Franzen has a free driver, and they get there equipment back. Rumor has it they skim off the top before giving you the pay amount this has been proven to be true. That would explain why they get angry and fight you at every corner for booking your own freight. The dispatchers are worse than bad there is no method to there madness we called them dumb and dumber. You will always set the day you get empty no matter the time. The backhauls suck they put no effort in finding them they post your truck and offer you the crappy loads that call. This is because they get 30% off the top they always make money and you will always be broke. They do give you a 10% advance from the load but with that you have to pay lumpers if you beg they may give you a little food money so you can survive while delivering there free freight. These people know exactly what there doing and dont care about who they are hurting. So while you are working for free the Franzen's will be setting on the beaches of Florida at one of there houses, sipping on a Pina Colda cheering to the scam they are running. Trust me when I say you will be blogging the same thing in a matter of months if you go drive for these wicked people.

 

This could be how I would have described DJ Franzen right after I got done there, I wont argue with you. However, this could also describe many other L/P outfits, though it doesnt make it ok to run a company that way.

They have drivers that have been there for years, so I came to realize that I was the one lacking.