Thoughts on TEL Truck Enterprise Leasing?

I am looking at it too. Probably best to consider it a pure 4 year lease and plan to give it up at end of lease. I make enough money with JB to justify big weekly payment.

 

I’m no einstein and I’ve only been trucking for 7 months but why waiste your money like that especially with tel they only lease automatics they will get you with a balloon payment at the end if your playing for keeps def not the way to go especially after buying them 2 brand new trucks upon fulfilling your lease don’t do it

 

Watch TEL like a hawk. Watch every penny they take, and where is goes...Ask for statements that show what they are doing with money they take from your bottom line, and pray that your brand new truck has no problems or you will end up with a negative or zero paycheck until Tell feels like you paid them back ! Tread carefully.

 

Living this right now. Sometimes great miles with bring home around 2200 to 2500. Most bring home ( after 1500 to 1800 out PER WEEK) around the 1900 mark. Some weeks are worse. They have a load board for I/C to pick loads. Be sure to ask for pay and factor in your % of pay before you get assinged to it. Remember once you're on the load, it's your baby if it takes you 6 hours to get unloaded you'll have to deal with it, same with trailer issues. They have fuel surcharge to offset cost of fuel and it's cheaper if you get it at their approved locations.
Watch the lease company and don't expect great customer service from them if anything goes wrong. Make a lasting relationship with your driver manager, you will need it.

 

I've been a company driver my entire career, BUT, i've also been a dispatcher/agent as well .....in my humble opinion. DO NOT lease from the hand that feeds you. Buy your truck if you desire to be an Owner / operator. Why? Piss of that carrier,,,,,,and it WON'T be the dispatcher staving you, it will be the Operations manage or above....... own your own truck, and things are far different! You can move your power some place else. If you can't qualify for a loan, you aren't financially ready.... be patient..... trying to help...l

 

Too many drivers blame the dispatcher.... he is just an employee....he gets his directives from upper management

 

Pretty much on your own as far as lease company is concerned. If I had the money to buy and backup in the bank I wouldn't lease. That's what I've learned this past 6 months. Still wouldn't want to drive otr as a company driver.

 

This is a constant communication and trust relationship type of business, if you work hard and let your driver manager know as soon as there's any issues Most of them will work with you.