3 Companies in 6 Months, over a Dozen Trucks Driven

First off.

A/C. Never ever take a truck with a busted AC or Heat in summer or winter. If the company kicked you out with a truck without AC, take it to the TA tell TA make make AC work regardless of cost billable to company and if TA man bleats that it will be 1500 dollars tell him to do it. Then call the shop to get payment to TA on that money the way I did mine in Savannah one fine day in 110 degree weather. My company howled. They screamed bloody murder. They are still screaming decades later. Eff them. They have to pay and did.

Ive had stories that will match yours and then some over the years I just have to think on it and choose. However there is one in particular I will write here.

I picked up my tractor trailer, the usual 87 COE and freuhauf flat bed loaded with military going to the Naval yard in Norfolk for roofing purposes. Someone else had the tractor the previous two days I was sick that week. But in the morning while warming up I noticed the voltmeter not exactly where it should usually be (Already on battery at that point or nearly so...) alternator failed at the Base after delivery.

I was put up in a nice hotel. Fixed the truck next day. Halfway home to Frederick I stopped at Doswell Petro for dinner. Air compressor quit and burned up on my engine during dinner killing my entire braking system springs locked system wide. Better in petro parking spot than at 65 on the 95. THAT would have been epic imatelling you.

Wait into the night. Shop sends a shop queen by tow this is now morning day three. I get in it, hook, drop and take the trailer onto the interstate north aimed for Frederick after Bfast that morning. Steering and entire front end failed at 53 mph and she took off aiming for the side with trees. After a wrestle and a locked own brake leaving rubber and all over I got er stopped just before we went over all wheels to sky.

Sat there a few hours angry as a wasp that has been stepped on.

Other company drivers rescued me, sent word to HQ and this time they finally send me a proper long nose day cab freightliner on orders from Boss by tow. I get a hold of it and give them the crashed tractor.

I get back to HQ and have a one way converstation with boss. Boss soothes my feathers pays me a gazillion bucks on the spot and hauls in the shop boss who was responsible for sending out defective tractors. There was a one way converstation and that was that for him.

I got a brand new mack CH day cab the following week, broke it's cherry. Was more than satisfied with the money and rig and remained with the company a while longer.

Trucks? Sure, a dime a dozen. Drivers? Good drivers? A Diamond to keep.

 

Shouldn't you be stocking canned goods?

 

15 is More than enough to get started. Maintenance will kill a new entrant. All of the things you've mentioned you will have to repair yourself. Paying someone else to do these things is what kills you. Personally if you live in Idaho I would never run West Coast again. Nor the Northeast. There is plenty of harvest everywhere else. Learning the large 3pl companies to deal with Are easily setup. You must learn some mechanical skills. Tires brakes, brake Chambers, belts, hoses, air systems. YouTube is a pretty good source. Your mechanic will not be with you when you break down. Personally I think pre emission trucks are the only way to go. They are easily fixed. Overcoming Hurdles will be your business. And business is booming. Before purchasing any truck I would have a mechanic spend the day with it and give it a complete level 3 inspection Or C Inspection. I'm not talking about a DOT inspection.This should take 4 to 6 hours. This is checking wheel ends, alignment, charging system tests, batteries load testing, voltage drop tests, air systems leak down, and build time, pump down break away, brake system, Cooling system, oil sample, etc. Much like an annual but more in depth. Do not trust the dealership to do this.They are trying to sell a truck. They should give you a written report on what was checked and any defects.

 

Rice is more cost effective.