Hillsbros trucking

I've worked with Hill Bros for almost 4.5 years and I will say this: 1) HB does have a number of old / clunky van trailers and a very few old / clunky reefers. I've even seen some trailers left by previous drivers that were not in road-worthy condition (flat tires, missing mudflap, air lines hanging too low, brake shoes below legal limits, etc.). But I've never been asked to move any unsafe equipment and, given the limitations of over-the-road repair shops, they (HB) have responded promptly and properly when I have called / qualcommed in on a trailer with issues. 2) Dispatchers at HB do not plan loads. Period. There are load planners who stitch together trucks with loads and it is the dispatcher's job to keep the communications flowing between HB and drivers. Have I always been pleased with the loads I've been dispatched on? Not even close. I will say, however, that in over four years of driving with them I've gone home for time off probably 90-100 times all told and in less than a dozen of those instances have I not been home on the day (the day!) I asked for. Hill Bros has issues, like any trucking outfit, but the charges made above are simply not valid. Good luck, Jim

 

I drove for Hill Bros for about 3 years myself and it was my experience that when there were issues with any trailer it was almost always due to some other driver not doing a post trip or just being too lazy or trying to hide damage they did. I will admit that they had their share of old worn out units. If they still offer sta rat (?) bars they are well worth the cost. Can't even say how many times that tool saved me alot of time and aggrevation. As far as the trailer half of their shop goes I never had any issues, they always got on the task and got it done in reasonable time. Also I liked it when the safety lane was open. One of the few companies that had that and it was nice to know the trailer had been checked out and was ready to go. Be honest, how many times have you picked up a trailer at the shipper and had to send in a message via the qualcom because the trailer had a flat or the reefer had alarm codes ? Once again thats due to some other driver not wanting to waste their time dealing with it. I even met with Pete and Pat and tried and get that issue resolved which honestly led to a dead end,but because I had a history of being willing to take care of other driver's problems it did lead to me getting compensated for my time. For the most part no matter what company you find yourself there is more that likely going to be a number of old worn out trailers you're going to have to deal with.

 

I also drive for hill bros, trl's are an issue but the company does there best to be proactive on trl maintenance. I just picked up a brand new reefer from a customer in georgia.
Customer used trl for cold storage ran reefer out of fuel and trl had a 8" gash in the side because someone backed into it or it was backed into another trl. According to dispatch that trl had only hauled 1 load. Most of the issues related to trl's is because of lazy @#$ drivers. I always have a jug of fuel and tools to resolve the minor issues with the trl's even though i'm leased to hill it's more profitable for me to resolve the issues with out compensation than to sit in repair shops. I know they have some outside carriers who haul hill trl's on occasion and they tear them up bad. So to be honest the company does what it can in regard to keeping trl's safe and legal. As for the old dry vans most have been taken out of the fleet. To be fair i have to agree with jim you send in the breakdown macro for trl and you promptly get breakdown calling you and someone on the way to make needed repairs. You will never be asked to pull an unsafe piece of equipment!

 

So Bandit, it seems you are in the minority with your opinions, what's the whole story?

 

Never hear nothing bad about hill bros.i see happy drivers all the time and equipment is ok.(my opinion)

 

I've been with Hill Bros a few years now and decided to lease a brand new truck from them a few months back. The repliers are correct, we do have a few old trailers but most are newer. The damage is done by drivers who dont respect the equipment, not the company. When problems are reported it gets fixed FAST, and they will get you moving again ASAP.

I do appreciate the great miles and respect i get from hill. The load planners do need a better system but it seems they run everything day by day, and dont advance plan much. So they have a few glitches, who doesnt? Hill bros is actually a really good company to work for. The pay is good and they work with you, very nice people. I have seen a few drivers quit and come back to hill, which says alot.

 

It's the only company I know that will buy you a new lease truck if you rollover bobtail.

 

God bless every American and their families!. God bless the U.S.A.!