Mercer transportation trailer rental expensive?

From what I understand, OO at Mercer have to lease or rent a trailer. Here is what they sent me:

“Vans - average $1.57/mile ALL MILES to the truck. Typical monthly revenue is $11-$14,000 to the truck.
Flat/ Step - average $1.92 /mile ALL MILES to the truck. Typical monthly revenue is $12-$15,000 to the truck

**The more flexible you are with weight, destination, tarps, stops, and home time the easier it is to exceed these averages.

Trailers can be leased from Mercer. They are no money down, walk away leases. Term is 5 years or less based on whether it’s new or used.
Flatbed - 600/month
Step - $850/month
Vans are rental only at the rate of $635 /month. We pay for the maintenance and insurance. Any miles over 7700 for the month will be charged an additional $.03 cpm for maintenance.”



So out of my 1.57 per mile average (not that awesome), for van, I have to pay 635/month. (158/week). 158/week is a big chunk of net on 1.57 per mile. How can van drivers make money there sacrificing 158/week, did I miss something?

 

I just left Mercer a month or so ago... This thread is active and will probably get you a quicker response if you post your question therehttps://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/mercer-transportation.184426/page-1813#post-9639734

 

I am at Mercer now. I pay $585/mo and am routinely over the 7700 miles and my average is 1.62 all miles but uts my first year as an OO

 

Thank you sir. May I ask why you left?

 

I’d recommend buying your own trailer. That’s what I’m gonna do when i put my other truck on for van freight

 

I liked Mercer but the freight in the areas I like to run the midwest/Ohio valley has been lacking tremendously... Too many trucks and not enough loads, to much deadheading...

Theyve also lost a few different customers that I would load out of leaving the house which for me became to much of a hassle...

 

I wonder why 635/month is the info they sent. But maaan, I was under the impression you could do better there than these rates. If youre renting a trailer, I’m not sure what the attraction is over some other mega co lease purchase deals in terms of bottom line, increasing the fixed cost with trailer rental.

 

They sent you the average. If you stay in the right lanes and make the right contacts you could certainly get better paying freight. Many variables to consider though. You’re gonna pay for a trailer one way or another no matter where you go, whether it’s a lower rate per mile or a lower percentage. That’s why i recommend buying your own trailer

 

I havent found anyone that complains about having their own trailer. Mercer says theres a lot of drop and hook and there is some but I dont think there is enough to warrant a $600/mo rental fee. Oh and you pay the fee regardless if you pull it or not. This time of year there is a UPS dedicated and its power only. You still have to pay the rental fee

 

This is why i left Mercer.. i Went from Flat to Van for reasons... The Trailer fee is NUTS for a rental on the van side. The rates on the van sucked when u gotta pay for the trailer...