My experience in Prime's lease program so far.

Yes and no. The truck already had almost $5k in the tire fund and they put new tires on it before I took it, so the truck had new tires and new brakes all the way around.

Im not sure why, but the truck kept the full tire fund even when they put new tires on it its ow a tad over $5k. Now it shouldnt need tires when I turn it in 2 months from now but who knows.. with that said I dont believe I get any of the previous tire fund.

As for lease completion, its a bit over $1k now for the 2 months Ive had the truck, so I assume it will be at $2k by time I turn it in. That should cover any potential "fixes" and the oil change/ cleaning and so forth.

 

Yeah, turned in a company truck then my 1st lease truc which was a 2018 freightliner with 80k miles.

No advanced notice just walked in turned it un at the Pittston terminal because I was injured and couldn't drive.

No issues turning it in but I wouldn't turn one in at Pittston again. They are supposed to let you be there when they check out the truck but U didn't get the option there because they were short staffed or whatever.

They tried to hose me for about $1,5k on #### done to a 2018 after I turned it in. Now I did have about $800 on a deferred payment and 3/4 of a weeks payment because I was in the hospital several days and deal with my arm a few days b4 I turned the truck in.

They charged me for a few things that I shouldn't of been charged for but I fought them all off except 1 which is they replaced a set of brake pads which was another BS charge because 1 month b4 I turned it in I had the truck in the shop for ABS issues and the mechanic even commented that he could tell I'm not using my brakes much (ie I used engine brake like you are supposed to do).

I couldn't fight the brake charge though because no way I could prove it.. So I willnot turn this truck in with out me being there when they do the inspection.

All in all I owed $1,8k but about $1,6k of that was a left over deferred payment and a partial balance on my last payment. If not for the arm issue and turning the truck in unexpected I likely wouldn't have been out of pocket for anything.. It was mostly bad luck on the timing as the week previously I was broke down 10 days in TX at a freightliner dealer so I was only on my second load after that when I hurt my arm.

 

No you don't pay anything to get into a truck. They also defer the 1st payment and then take it out at about $20/week.

So it makes it easy to get started but you want to be smart as to when you sign your lease. The payment starts the day you sign, so if you can't leave for a few days dont sign until you are ready and the truck is ready.

IMO Prime's lease is about as good as you will get at any mega, but it is very expensive. Meaning you need to be on the ball or you might find yourself working at less than company wages if you aren't a go getter.

Basically I look at these leases as something like Rent A Center for trucking. You can use them to get your self in a better position which is what I did but you can also screw your self if you aren't willing to do what you need to do.

In all honesty my situation when my truck broke down and I had to come out of pocket $2k for the tow and hotel rooms then a week later ending up in the hospital twice and putting out $10k that month. On top of this I was out of work for 2 months and owed Prime $1,8k because I turned the truck in with zero revenue for a week due to my injury and I had a deferred payment I still owed..

(with that said, they did allow me to pay off the $1,8k via payments once I went back. They were taking like $150/week but after I got back on the road I just paid it off over a few big weeks I had)

This would have ended most people, but I made saving a priority as well.as paying off all my debts. That is what let me get through it and come out good on the other side.

So if you are trying to be a O.O or lease, you have to put savings for bad situations as a priority otherwise you will not make it, because sooner or later something will happen.

Overall Prime's lease is about as fair of one as you will probably get at least for how they work with you. They make it pretty hard for you to fail, so long as you put the effort in and are competent.