Mercer

So they're still putting on a bunch of vans? I need to get home and get my 53' van out of a secured lot at the airport and put it out where I can sell it. If people can't get to it to check it out I can't get rid of it. Maybe Redd with buy it and run some of that high dollar van freight to California

 

what's wrong with ur van?

 

Nothing wrong with it, my driver was pulling it when I had my own company. Parked it, sold all but two trucks and came to Mercer. Kept my truck and other truck is being sold to my friend who was driving for me before. I'll never pull a van again, haven't done it OTR for decades. Tankers or flats, that's all. Except for when Mercer set me up with some tow-away loads round trip for 3.50/mi, then I made an exception.

 

why no more vans for u ?

 

Simple reasons - cheap freight, go to places I don't want to be, like grocery warehouses, deal with lumpers, hand load or unloading, etc. Extra wind drag = lower mpg, thus cheaper freight and higher fuel cost. Tanks and flats also tend to have fewer issues with delays than van operations. NEVER have to hand load a tank, and rarely do we get involved with handling any freight on a flat.

Working directly for a private carrier hauling their own freight would be different, but there are very few driving jobs I'd ever consider if I had to give up my own truck.

 

how about this curtain trailers what are they good for?

 

so you're undecided about coming to Mercer? you are in NJ? where? I take loads out that way often, to NYC & the island. They pay more and many drivers want no part of going there (scared ) so there is less competition for them.

 

SJ - close to Philly. Undecided ? more like need more info. Whats so bad about going to NYC and the island ? bridges - explain. Thanks.

 

curtain trailers are nice, but expensive. many shippers/receivers do not want to use them. The are almost like a van but have a frame along the edges and a "curtain" which is just tarp material permanently attached so it can roll back and load from the sides, or driven onto from the back at a normal dock.

 

Which are you talking about, curtain side or conestoga style?