Crst malone flatbed.

Be careful there advertised rate of 2.00 mile is false. And is gross, you will be very lucky to get that if at all, the rates suck. You only get enough fuel for the load you are on and sometimes that's not even enough if you have to run truck at night while you sleep and they hate giving any if you need extra, I was turned down for a weekend as I needed some extra fuel to run my truck while I was waiting for the weekend to unload and was told they couldn't help me, luckily I had some cash in bank and put some in to run my truck for ac. I am an owner op and not a lease so this you take to the bank, they still try telling me they have 2.00 mile freight although the ones they do have will put you in a deadhead situation

 

I have no problem getting fuel, course I drive 60mph and am getting around 7mpg. And you can run 300 mile $2.00/mile loads all day in IN/MO. Of course you can also get broker loads. I do that sometimes and always negotiate better than $2/mi.

 

edit: double post

 

Have you ever heard if your signing on with a company and your an owner/op. That they want- you to sign a power of atorney,to get your truck registered ? I never signed something like that at other companys.Is it safe?

 

To my knowledge a power of attorney can be revoked at any time, but I would ask an attorney if you are worried.

 

Thanks for the input I am going L/P and I report on the 17th to B'ham I am looking forward never had to look for my own loads before but already have a broker lined up, says she moves freight pretty good. I am going to keep an open mind. I am not afraid of working just been working on trucks instead of driving them for awhile...

 

Iam a o/p and iam thinking about coming over,but just like you I've never gotten my own loads beforelet know how you are doing now thanks cblknwild42@yahoo.com

 

Hey RTR:

Thanks for the great posts about being a Malone flatbed o/o. I'm approved thru malone to start as an owner op (NOT lease op). I was wondering if you could answer a couple more questions:

1) On craigslist ad, Malone says their top driver grossed $248,000 to truck ($5,166 x 48 weeks), and the average Malone drivers grossed around $160,000 to truck ($3,333 x 48 weeks). (I'm guessing at the 48 weeks...I used 48 weeks to compare apples to apples) Based on your experience, what do YOU think the weekly gross average is? I mean before any fees or fuel or anything is deducted?

2) Do you think its reasonable to average gross $4,000 per week to the truck?

3) I've read from other Malone o/o's that the secret to success is buying a laptop computer with wireless internet, and finding your own loads, often OUTSIDE of the malone load board. Do you use load boards other than Malones? if so, which ones? Are there fees to sign up for load boards?

4) If you were me, how much cash reserves would you want to start out? Do you think $4,000 is safe enough?

5) I am buying my own used truck and I'll have payments. What kind of truck did you buy? Would you buy the same truck knowing what you do now? What would you do differently?

6) I will be renting a trailer from Malone. Do you rent Malone trailer? Are they well maintained?

Also, could you give me your honest advice? I only want to be an owner operator if I can earn more money than I can as a company driver. I can earn $45,000 to $55,000 as a company driver with a flatbed company 30 minutes from my house. If someone had offered you $50,000 a year to be company driver home weekends, would you have still gone with Malone, or would you have taken the $50,000/year?

I'm trying to see if its really worth all the extra responsibilities and work. I LOVE flatbed, I don't mind hard work, I drive and live very cheap on the road, and I have a little business experience. I know there are no guarantees and lots of surprises, but I don't want to risk my savings and a year of my life away from my family unless I have a decent shot to earn more as an o/o than a company driver.

Thanks again for all your great information...can't wait for your reply!

-Pete

 

Thanks a lot for the info, RTR!

Are the fuel discounts through Malone as good as they say?

Do you mostly haul steel? What kind of steel...coils, rods, tubes?

After expenses, what do you figure your earnings will be compared to working for someone else? You said you gross close to 4 grand per week...how much of that do you think makes its way to your house?

Malone says I don't need a headache rack because they have boxes on their rental trailers...I think I want a rack anyway. What would you do?

THey said they keep track of calculating fuel tax...do they deduct that out of your pay every quarter, or do you have to mail in a check?

I can't thank you enough for all the info...I truly appreciate your time and honesty!

-Pete