mercer transportation

Losing my dad was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. My prayers are with you. And remember, you got friends here that will do anything to help you.

 

Would anyone be kind enough to let me know if there is any life with the Van division at Mercer? I live in Florida and was wondering if it really is as good as some people say it is. I have many years of driving as an owner operator but really tired of being dispatched and between Landstar and Mercer really think that the latter is the best option for me. Any comments about the Van division would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

I know very little about the van side, I barely pay attention to the rates. That being said, every van guy I bump into is just like us on the flatbed side. Happy campers that feel like we will never have a reason to ever leave. But, friends don't let friends pull vans. Get a flat.

 

there are several van guys on this thread. I occasionally glance at their load board out of curiosity. Seems they have more freight then we do normally. But I don't pay tons of attention to the rates. I'm sure one of them will be on here soon and could give you better insight.

 

Thanks a lot guys for the response. I am more concern about the availability of freight in and out of Florida that the rates that they are actually paying for vans. If nothing else, I think that I could give it a try to the flats, only problem is that I don't have the experience with flats and don't have any of the required equipment (my truck has no headache rack)....

 

i didn't either when I came to Mercer. But it was easy to get and Mercer was willing to help out. The guys at the yard helped me put my rack on, gave me a few tips and I was on my way. Read this thread and it may help a lot.

 

I needed a headache rack too, and had a driver break out the power tools and we all helped each other saving us the expense of paying to have it installed, Mercer has amazing comradery

 

Just north of ocala is woodys truck salvage. He always has a lot of head ache racks for sale cheap. Everything else you could get for about a grand. And while there might be more van loads right now, that's about to change. Winter is always slow for flats, you just plan for it and set money aside. As for Florida specifically. It sucks. It always sucks. It will continue to suck. How I counter that is I position myself in a great market like Chicago, so when I load for Florida I'm getting more than enough money to make up for the cheap market we got down here.

 

I really appreciate the words of wisdom guys. I am just a little apprehensive about the change, especially when all the years that I have driven they have been only on vans and tankers. I did drive a flat bed in trucking school, the only problem is that it was back in 1996 lol...

 

Skateboardman, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Sending prayers and may god bless you and your family.