The Do's and Don'ts at Landstar

Yeah because it's so easy go just buy a trailer.

 

When I first started with Landsat they paid me to bobtail to an empty.

 

You can pick up 53' vans on air for $5k all day long. So yeah, it is pretty easy. You can also lease one from Iloca or similar trailer places. United in Blaine MN has 2014's for $375 a month WAC.

 

I've seen ones that are nice for 5-7 grand! Seen one with an under tray, 2 side boxes, virgin rubber and new brakes and bearings! It looked like a steal!

 

I never see them for those prices.

 

There is 6 pages of 53' air ride between $3,000 and $6,000 on truckpaper.com right now.

 

Folks just to update on my lack of having a empty trailer from Landstar. Tomorrow Landstar will be renting a Xtra Lease van trailer for me 4 weeks after requesting one.
I guess better late then never, right? Of course this does seem to reinforce my assumption that Landstar is having issues with van availability. It could very well be just a problem with old trailers being taken off line and the inability to get new ones in place. Either because of a availability issue at the trailer maker, or simply a delay of some sort.
Personally, if I was Landstar I would offer some rental deals through Xtra Lease all the time for BCO's. I mean it alleviates a lot of repair and maintenance headaches and still allows for tracking options. I don't know what the percentage is between BCO's who have their own trailers and those who run Landstar equipment? I am just glad Landstar has finally come through. My advice to anyone with Landstar in a situation like this is to do as much as you can to keep reminding people in trailers of your situation. I have to think this was a problem coming to a head because in the past I have not had a issue getting a empty.

 

Yes, I had a trailer and I sold it because my BCO adviser talked me into doing drop and hook for a agent. My trailer was getting old so I decided to just sell it. I am kicking myself for doing such a thing. My advice is to bring on a trailer if you can, unless you have a dedicated option available to you not requiring a trailer. I am mostly talking on the van side of things. I know a lot of drop deck and flats use their own anyway. Its really a catch 22 because some freight requires a Landstar trailer and of course you eliminate drop and hooks with your own trailer. Landstar to me is unique in this position as many companies provide all trailers to owner operators. I would say since being with Landstar I have gone back and forth on owning a van trailer. Sometimes I was glad I had my own. Other times it hinder my options.

 

Do's and do not's at Landstar Funny! Definitely think Landstar is still a viable option for a owner operator. Less so maybe for new BCO's with a EOBR mandate for new BCO's. But I guess many new BCO's have already worked plenty with EOBR so maybe its not such a change? Probably the biggest change is dispatching yourself and becoming familiar with finding loads and having options. I would say give yourself at least 6 months with Landstar before bailing because you can't find the right loads. When I started with Landstar it was purely a system where the agents sent phone numbers to a beeper you kept on you. Only a small few had satellite Qual Comm systems. Internet load board was not around yet. Now you have so many more tools if you only make sure to use them. Lane matching, frequency of loads, and being able to narrow down which agents you should talk to is a plus today.
The one thing I would not do is break the laws or regulations. Landstar does not take kindly to moving violations or log violations. Skyblitz trailer tracking is my only pet peeve on Landstar.
I typically get a few violations saying my logs do not match the Skyblitz report. Yes, Landstar compares what your trailer is doing to what your truck is doing. Unfortunately its flawed because I get violations even when I am at home not moving the truck or trailer. Sometimes its because my truck shows the wrong trailer or it simply has some problem recording time vs location.
If your someone who keeps their ducks in a row, Landstar will not be such a issue. If your lax on compliance and getting paperwork in and getting your truck inspected. Your going to find Landstar a nightmare. Stay up on what you have to do and you won't find yourself with your fuel card turned off just when you need to fill up. Plenty of positives still at Landstar.

 

They don't turn off fuel cards. They legally can't as that is your money you're buying fuel with. What they can and will do is not allow an advance on the load you just took until you get those logs in (not applicable for new BCO's as you'll have an elog) or get your truck inspected. I've been a month late for an inspection before. I only go to one place, and it's two blocks from where I park at home. I only go to one place for a few reasons. The first is that they are honest. They do an in depth inspection and will fail you if needed, but they won't make stuff up. If you fail a LS inspection, you must fix it there OR tow it to another shop. The tow bill would be nothing for two blocks or the mile to my cheap mechanic. This gives me options and control of the situation.
The time I was a month late, I was very busy, and they were as well and our schedules didn't mesh. I would highly recommend sticking with one shop and get to know them. It will save you time and money.