flatbed freight areas

Go with a company that will train you first like PGT and run company to get a feel for things. You could also try Maverick who trains and get into their l/p program. As far as truck selection, mmm does make some valid points. If your heart is set on Malone, get the money to bring in a truck from a outside source like Lone Mountain. You do not want a lemon of a truck that will be breaking down due to someone elses mistakes. Good luck and keep us posted.

KH

 

Make sure before you take any load that YOU DO THE MATH on the load and dont take anyone else's word on it. What I mean is they tell you its only 400 miles and it pays 850 bucks. Sounds ok so far, then you do a mileage check from point A to point B and actual miles are 475 with a deadhead of 150 miles so now instead of 2.12 per mile you are getting 1.36 a mile.

Another thing is read close and make sure you fully understand what is covered. As in how many miles in between PM's and what they do in a PM and is there a cap to how much money they will put in a truck so lets say you blow a motor and it needs some other work so will they fix it all no prob or when it costs them so much do they say "oh well". Make sure they fix and repair everything the way you want. Do more research before making the deal as they have the upper hand. Better off going in eyes wide open than figuring it out later.

 

I almost forgot something. Join OOIDA (Owner operator Independent driver association) and let them look over the lease before you sign. They wil make sure its all legal and legit and of course they will warn you about lease programs. Dont just blindly trust a company because they will always look out for themselves and thats why you need to look out for you. OOIDA will have your back vs ATA which will do nothing. I think its still 25 to join (for this year) until the end of Jan.

 

Dont let others get you down. Dont take anything under 2 a mile and I would figure about 1.30 for fixed costs right now as you cant look into a crystal ball and figure it out exactly without running the truck. If ya gotta do CRST malone then so be it. Others may not like that I said that but you gotta do what you think is right.

 

I would mention the company I am leased to ( American Transport Inc out of Pittsburgh, PA) but they only take 3 yrs exp with 1 yr recent flatbed and your record better be clean. They have O/O's that run small fleets that need drivers and sometimes these guys will make deals to sell you a truck and trailer using ATI as a go between so they get your money and a legit contract is made between you.

 

uyo could do good with pgt. ive been a o/o with them for eight years
they have a l/p you could do. no ballon payment email me at
simpleman_oh@yahoo.com with any questions ill be glad to answer them.

dave

 

Never bank on a certain amount of miles. After a while you will get the hang of where the good freight is and what to look for.

Dave is correct here. PGT does not want the truck back and will work with you on getting it paid off.