Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

I just had my clutch replaced and you always put a new brake on even though mine was less then a year old and still looked brand new. They only cost $20. The last time I had it replaced I didn't watch but it took them 1/2 an hour.

Also, I looked under my truck when It was new to me and my inspection cover was gone so I went and bought another one. Later on that year my mechanic adjusted my clutch. When he was done and walking away he threw my inspection cover in the trash. I was like WTF!!!! He said that's how broken clutch springs and other parts fall out instead of causing more damage.

I had multiple springs broke recently when I had my clutch replaced. There was only a small piece inside. The rest fell out the hole!

 

Also, I was just taught this. The clutch brake pretty much just sits there in between the back of the clutch and transmission. When you push the clutch all the way down the clutch brake now pushes against the spinning transmission and stops it. If your clutch brake is worn down it can't reach the transmission to stop it.

Now for the trans conversion to a 13 speed. My transmission went about 2 years ago. Worst sound and feel I've ever felt in my life. Transmission oil cooler line broke, lost all the oil and there's no warning.

I wanted a 13 speed. I got a Weller rebuilt installed for $6,200 but not a 13 speed. It's a direct swap. If you want a 13 speed over your 10 it was going to cost me something like $4,000 more. Your drive shaft will have to be either shortened and balanced or replaced with a longer one and 2 new universal joints. It's an expensive upgrade.

You may do better finding a used one. It took my mechanic 1 day by himself to pull my transmission out and put a new clutch in.

 

Didn't realize there's such an animal as a 13 speed direct. I was going to swap out rear ends, but that is a MUCH better answer to my problem. Cool beans!

 

Dy, I have nothing but complete respect for you so please don't take this the wrong way. It is a legitimate question and nothing derogatory meant at all.

Looking at those loads and numbers, and comparing them to a guy leased to a good company like mercer or landstar, why do you do it? Is it really worth the money you give up to say I'm independent?

 

Mercer and Landstar would pay way less then what he got. Leasing on doesn't get you anything other then a trailer you can't afford on your own. You pay the same if not more for everything required to have your own authority as opposed to be leased on.

 

Feel free to jump in anytime!!!

 

Although I'm new around here I do see some potential benefits in some cases to be lease onto a carrier. The big one to me is capacity! My experience is Most direct freight won't work with a one truck operation. I know this because I have been in shipping and recieving in my past life. I was originally going to run on my own numbers but found that leasing on To take advantage of the carriers direct coustemers and there higher rates on these shipments out weigh what I thought I could get off the boards alone. We only get a few of those direct loads a week but better paying than anything off the board.

Not promoting he leases on somewhere but just talking about what I found will work for me.

 

I'm leased to Mercer and my average per mile is higher than the loads he posted. our agents are not even allowed to try to broker out a load until every available contract truck has passed on it(this is literally in their contract with Mercer), so the good loads never become available for an independent to try to get.