Freymiller

Solarpower818 · Jan 25, 2016

Two things I don't like, that happened after I'd been there for almost a year. They have started putting inward and outward facing cameras in the company trucks. I don't mind outward, but inward almost was enough to make me quit. If I wasn't so happy otherwise I probably would have. But it bothers me enough that I'm going to pursue buying my own truck in the next few years. The other thing is that when they ordered their new trucks, they only ordered double bunks, even though they have lots of solo drivers, and in a 386 that's a pain and makes it more cramped. You lose most of the cabinets that you get in the single bunk. Mostly, I just didn't like losing the head space. They only fold in half, not all the way up like in some trucks. Makes it kind of uncomfortable if you want to sit up on your bunk and do any kind of work. The new one also had less lighting in the bunk.

RushFan71 · Feb 7, 2016

I was curious and torn between Freymiller and Abilene as I am looking at getting back into to industry. Does Freymiller offer any Hazmat? Is it mainly coast to coast? I spoke with both recruiters from each company briefly. And do enjoy reading the threads on both companies. I understand it boils down to my own personal choice but love to hear it out of the horses as a main selling point.

cbman455 · Mar 17, 2016

Just wondering, do u plan ur own routes or does freymiller route u, and do they tell u where to fuel, or is it up to u?

Ssand Man · Mar 20, 2016

Freymiller has forced routing and forced fuel solutions. I used to drive where I had complete freedom, so this doesn't bother me at all.

Tommy Wall · Apr 3, 2016

Tha

Solarpower818 said: ↑

Hey everyone, I thought I'd start a thread and just talk about my experience with Freymiller. I didn't post anything when I was working there, because I was always busy and always had more important things to take care of. But I'm home right now, taking some time off, and didn't see any recently updated threads about them.

Just want to say first off, that everyone's experience with a company is different, so keep that in mind. There are a lot of variables involved.

I went to orientation in Sept. '14 and quit in Nov. '15 because I was so burnt out. I had a lot going on in my personal life while I was there there(divorce, health problems, moving, etc.), plus they ran me really hard, so although in my 5 1/2 years trucking, this was my favorite company, I had to quit so I could rest up and get some personal stuff straightened out, and then see about whether to go local or return to Freymiller.

I always do a lot of research before I apply to a company, and Freymiller looked good, but the main reason I went with them in the end was because they were one of the few that would allow my 85lb dog. But some other things that attracted me to them were the equipment, the APU's and refrigerators, the pay, the insurance, and then the fact that I couldn't find many people with anything bad to say about them.

With about 4 years' prior experience, they started me out at .39/mile, which I know some will say is low, but I consider it to be pretty decent for an OTR company. They processed my application really quickly, and flew me out to orientation in OKC on the date of my choice. When there was a problem with my flight and it almost got cancelled, my recruiter stayed in touch with me, and helped work out the details of how to get to my hotel since the shuttle wouldn't be running by the time I got there. They ended up reimbursing me for a taxi. The hotel was the Extended Stay America, which was a decent hotel. Not top notch, but clean, safe, and the rooms have a full kitchenette. They send a shuttle to get you in the morning, and it brings you back in the evening. The driver is really nice, and might make a quick stop on the way, if you need something. He will also take you to Walmart if you need to get a few things.

Orientation was three days. Typical orientation, so I won't go into details. I will say that the physical shouldn't be a problem for you if you're healthy. However, I am a small female, and I had a little trouble lifting the weights above my head, and with the push/pull test. In fact, I think it was on the push test, I couldn't get up to the desired amount of force, no matter how hard I tried. I just didn't have enough weight to put into it. Finally they asked me how much I weighed, and then called someone at Freymiller and told them that my weight was not much more than the amount of force they expect, and they passed me. So all this to say, they are not looking to fail you for any little thing, and they are very nice people. Also, I had experience and a clean record, so they knew I was capable of doing the job.

At the end of the third day they assign you your truck. We were not given a choice on color. They have red, yellow, white, black, blue, and purple trucks. Most of us did not get the color we wanted. After you get your truck, you inspect it and fill out an inspection sheet to note any damage or repairs needed. Then the fun part. They claimed that our trucks had been detailed, but this was not true. Mine wasn't too bad, but I know that at least a couple of other drivers got really nasty trucks. The common factor among all was that they had been smoked in, a lot, and not by clean smokers. I helped one driver clean his truck after mine was done, and we scrubbed and scrubbed, every inch of that truck. So I would say expect that you will have to do this, if you want a clean truck.

I was put in a 2012 Peterbilt 386. Most of their trucks are 386's. Mine was in decent shape. I had to write up a few things, and they fixed those, and also gave me all brand new tires, which was awesome, especially in mid-September with winter approaching. After my truck was ready to roll, my first load was a relay from the yard going to Maryland, to get me home to Virginia to pick up my things and get my dog. When I got home, they let me take a couple days off, even though I hadn't even been driving for them for a week yet.

From an old facebook post at the time, I can tell you what my first few loads were like, although I didn't record dates. However, it looks like I got home on September 17th, and my post which I will copy below was on October 6.

["Oklahoma City, OK to Upper Marlboro, MD - 1,361 paid miles
home for a few days
Harrisonburg, VA to Pauls Valley, OK - 1,235 paid miles
OKC yard for repairs
Elk City, OK to Keasbey, NJ - 1,559 paid miles
East Rutherford, NJ to Houston, TX - 1,628 paid miles
Waco, TX to Pleasanton, CA - 1,787 paid miles"]

That adds up to 7,570 paid miles in less than three weeks. If you take away 2 or 3 days at home, and probably 1 or 2 days for repairs, I'd say that's pretty good.
Click to expand...

That sounds good.
I'm starting in a couple weeks.
Always have anxiety of the unknown.

ira1377 · Apr 11, 2016

When did Freymiller start pulling food grade tanks?

Solarpower818 · Apr 23, 2016

We don't pull any hazmat loads. We go just about everywhere. Used to be no pacific northwest, but there's even a bit of that available now. They give you your fuel and routing, but the fuel cards aren't locked, so there's some leeway with that. All I know about the tankers is that it started in February.

ira1377 · Apr 23, 2016

Solarpower818 said: ↑

We don't pull any hazmat loads. We go just about everywhere. Used to be no pacific northwest, but there's even a bit of that available now. They give you your fuel and routing, but the fuel cards aren't locked, so there's some leeway with that. All I know about the tankers is that it started in February.
Click to expand...

Yeah I talked to the driver, said you guys just started. Saw him at saputo's in Decatur, Al. Did a double take when I saw Freymiller pulling a tank

Rocknroller4 · Sep 1, 2016

Solarpower818 said: ↑

Two things I don't like, that happened after I'd been there for almost a year. They have started putting inward and outward facing cameras in the company trucks. I don't mind outward, but inward almost was enough to make me quit. If I wasn't so happy otherwise I probably would have. But it bothers me enough that I'm going to pursue buying my own truck in the next few years. The other thing is that when they ordered their new trucks, they only ordered double bunks, even though they have lots of solo drivers, and in a 386 that's a pain and makes it more cramped. You lose most of the cabinets that you get in the single bunk. Mostly, I just didn't like losing the head space. They only fold in half, not all the way up like in some trucks. Makes it kind of uncomfortable if you want to sit up on your bunk and do any kind of work. The new one also had less lighting in the bunk.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed post. I am from the NW and they offered me a job and decided to take it. Heard mostly good about them. Not too bothered about the cameras. I think most of the business is moving that way but you're right.. going owner-op eventually will be the goal.

Chinatown · Sep 1, 2016

@Hd2007 - a little info on Freymiller.

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Freymiller

Solarpower818 Bobtail Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

RushFan71 Bobtail Member

cbman455 Bobtail Member

Ssand Man Light Load Member

Tommy Wall Bobtail Member

ira1377 Light Load Member

Solarpower818 Bobtail Member

ira1377 Light Load Member

Rocknroller4 Road Train Member

Chinatown Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Freymiller

Solarpower818 Bobtail Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

RushFan71 Bobtail Member

cbman455 Bobtail Member

Ssand Man Light Load Member

Tommy Wall Bobtail Member

ira1377 Light Load Member

Solarpower818 Bobtail Member

ira1377 Light Load Member

Rocknroller4 Road Train Member

Chinatown Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!