mercer transportation

Discussion in 'Mercer' started by kw12, Jul 21, 2012.

  1. jtwhite

    jtwhite Bobtail Member

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    so with leasing a truck on with mercer, truck i am looking at is a old mercer o/o trade in @ shelby elliott's in missouri. 148 inch sleeper truck. empty weight on truck is 26500 so was wondering how bad that truck would limit me on load with mercer. thinking bout getting flatbed through mercer but don't know weight of the flatbeds they lease. thanks any info would be awesome. reason for big sleeper is i never want to have to shower at a truck stop again.
     
  2. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    I would advise against getting that big of a truck for my first truck. Freight is good now, but before you get everything paid for, you will go thru many slow months. You have to learn this system. That truck will limit your loads to much, while you are learning how to make money. My advice is to buy something smaller and lighter, run that and if Mercer is a good fit for you, then step up to the large car.

    All of us would like the big sleeper, for all the advantages it has to offer. But for many of us the disadvantages out weigh the advantages. Make the system work with a smaller truck. You can always upgrade. If you can't make it work with the large car, it's to late, and your broke.
     
    Pound Puppy and jtwhite Thank this.
  3. jtwhite

    jtwhite Bobtail Member

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    kind what i was thinking. have 2 other trucks i am looking at with regular sleepers. fortunately i have been saving for last 5 years to buy my own truck so will be able to pay cash for truck and still have good nest egg left over.
     
  4. mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

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    very wise, starting without a lot of debt.
     
  5. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    Well even when you have a shower in the sleeper I still use a shower if possible it's just to small for me!
     
  6. Bad Monkey

    Bad Monkey Medium Load Member

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    Jt, that truck weighs almost as much as my whole rig. If you can't haul at least 46k it will really hurt you until you learn the system and agents. Good luck. Rob out.
     
  7. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Too many doughnuts huh?
     
  8. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    Beer crawfish BBQ I was 6'1" and 185lbs in high school add a wife and kids with trucking bam free 100lbs no joke when my wife was pregnant i gained 50lbs so I've never been a small guy.
     
  9. Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

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    I don't beleive I could survive a winter here with a Mercer trailer. The mercer trailers are tough and very heavy. Aprox. 4K lbs heavier than my fountain.
    So my payload is down to 41.5K.
    I can't imagine 4K less payload
    Mercer used to require new hires to be able to scale 45K. And for a new O/O, you want to be the most verstile.

    But I'd also say the shower in the truck is the best. I can't remember the last time I took a truck stop shower.
     
  10. Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

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    By the way, I'm still up here around Washington Island,Wi., spending lots of money on tours and enjoying the weekend.
    Going back out on the water again today.