Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Best flatbed company for O/O

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Tmichael2332, Feb 9, 2015.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Feb 9, 2015 #1
    Tmichael2332

    Tmichael2332 Light Load Member

    67
    32
    Jan 9, 2014
    Mississippi
    0
    I'm looking for some good flatbed companies for O/Os that let you run under their authority. I'm 23 with 1.25 years experience from south mississippi. I know age is going to be a big factor for a lot of these companies. I'm currently a lease operator for prime inc and was planning on leasing on with them until I dug a little deeper and found out a few things they don't tell you up front. So they're out. A few people have told me just to get my own authority but wouldn't insurance kill me price wise cause of my age? The truck will be a 2016 579 pete and the fiancing is taken care of just holding off on ordering till I can find a company. I have looked in to Sammons trucking a little bit. Thanks ahead of time for any info or advice.
     
    Tmichael2332, Feb 9, 2015
    Tmichael2332, Feb 9, 2015
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Feb 9, 2015 #2
    spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

    15,467
    25,010
    Mar 31, 2013
    sarasota, fl
    0
    There is no easy answer for this. The perfect company for one guy can be the worst for another. You really need to invest the effort into doing your own research to find what's best for you. A good place to start would be the individual company forums in the inside scoop section
     
    spyder7723, Feb 9, 2015
    spyder7723, Feb 9, 2015
    #2
    Starboyjim Thanks this.
  4. Feb 9, 2015 #3
    CJndaTruck

    CJndaTruck Road Train Member

    3,348
    3,364
    Nov 21, 2014
    Knoxville, TN (area)
    0
    spyder is right. I would be carful of anyone that comes on here telling you to try this company or that. A little research can pay big dividends. I do wish you the best of luck.
     
    CJndaTruck, Feb 9, 2015
    CJndaTruck, Feb 9, 2015
    #3
    RERM Thanks this.
  5. Feb 9, 2015 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,532
    165,695
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Good advice. Some drivers swear by Mercer and others hate the company. Same with Fikes Truck Line. Just have to pick through it all and look for a good fit.
     
    Chinatown, Feb 9, 2015
    Chinatown, Feb 9, 2015
    #4
    Lucar Thanks this.
  7. Feb 9, 2015 #5
    Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

    2,039
    1,424
    Dec 10, 2011
    Weed, CA
    0
    Ask the recruiters, they'll tell you what's best for you.
     
    Starboyjim, Feb 9, 2015
    Starboyjim, Feb 9, 2015
    #5
    insertnamehere and Lone Ranger 13 Thank this.
  8. Feb 9, 2015 #6
    Lone Ranger 13

    Lone Ranger 13 Road Train Member

    1,542
    1,298
    Sep 27, 2012
    Asheville, NC
    0
    I have a friend at Packard Transportation in Channahon, Illinois. Good company. But they might want more experience.
    They also require flatbed experience.

    Mercer has a good reputation.

    Both companies have good fuel discounts.

    I considered pulling a flat. These were the two I was considering.
     
    Lone Ranger 13, Feb 9, 2015
    Lone Ranger 13, Feb 9, 2015
    #6
  9. Feb 9, 2015 #7
    Ok big boy

    Ok big boy Light Load Member

    79
    79
    Jan 22, 2014
    0
    I offer only insight . I agree with the all the post's above. Nothing is clear cut. I am with Sammons and have been for 15 mos.I am not a lease purchase, I have my own stuff. I have done really well here . I had 3 1/2 years at Landstar. I fit better at Stc. LS is a very successful system with successful people in it.If I find a company that has interest in me,after I have done my homework, I ask to have a o/o call me who has been leased on less than 1 year.I have talked to ex mercer guys who have nothing but good things to say about there time there.I prefer an agent system. STC allows me to haul for agents or outside brokers and develop my own lanes.But I still have to go Dialing for Dollars. I know guys who will not do that. And that's ok. As long as you get what you want out of it. Do you want to pull a flat or step? How long to you want to stay out? Where do you like to run? I don't load at same places with Maverick or TMC. I can't compete with those rates and don't want to.Just ask plenty of questions.
     
    Ok big boy, Feb 9, 2015
    Ok big boy, Feb 9, 2015
    #7
  10. Feb 10, 2015 #8
    Tmichael2332

    Tmichael2332 Light Load Member

    67
    32
    Jan 9, 2014
    Mississippi
    0
    I've pulled both so either would be fine by me. Now I stay out 4-6 weeks and take 7-10 days off. I'll run just about anywhere expect NYC and I try to stay out of norther Ca, Oregon, and Washington.
    Do you have your own trailer or renting one from them? Your own authority or run under theirs? I've got a huge interest in Sammons and plan on giving them a call in a few days.
     
    Tmichael2332, Feb 10, 2015
    Tmichael2332, Feb 10, 2015
    #8
  11. Feb 10, 2015 #9
    Ok big boy

    Ok big boy Light Load Member

    79
    79
    Jan 22, 2014
    0
    I am leased to them. I have my own trailer it's a 2015 Chaparral flat. When I started I pulled there trailer to feel out the system. The area I work is from Phoenix to Portland in the west to Houston to Detroit in the east. 75% of my freight I get ,is from working with 2 agents.
    What is it about Sammons that has your interest ?
     
    Ok big boy, Feb 10, 2015
    Ok big boy, Feb 10, 2015
    #9
  12. Feb 11, 2015 #10
    Tmichael2332

    Tmichael2332 Light Load Member

    67
    32
    Jan 9, 2014
    Mississippi
    0
    Their heavy haul/OD division is what peaked my interest in them. I've heard of a few guys who worked their way up to it and that's what I'd like to do over time. Plus their lease purchase seems to be pretty successful from everything I've read. I've only seen a few negative things about them and in my opinon it seems like it was mostly the drivers fault for failing. I called a recruiter yesterday and spoke to her she answered all my questions. They're defiantly at the top of my list right now. The only thing that worries me is that I've never picked my own loads before. I know a broker personally who covers the majority of the Southeast so I could use him a lot. Do they help you learn the system or do they just get you on the load boards and wish you the best of luck?
     
    Tmichael2332, Feb 11, 2015
    Tmichael2332, Feb 11, 2015
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2