Farm2Fleet

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by NoCoCraig, Jul 14, 2013.

  1. NoCoCraig

    NoCoCraig Road Train Member

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    Not sure where to post this since there is not a DAC report thread for f2f. This is an O/O only company but I know of at least one fleet owner who hires drivers here. We are a dry van team but I know there are also flatbed, straight truck and cargo van operators here. Our experience has been excellent.

    A little about me. My wife and I started with US Xpress as team drivers 2 1/2 years ago. As a team, we actually had a very good experience with USX. There are problems at every company but we found that if you took deep breaths, did not over react and treated the office personnel with respect, things generally went well. I always hoped to become an O/O once I had learned a lot more of how the trucking business operates. We, of course, looked at lease programs at USX and other companies. Best decision I have made was to stick with being a company driver until we felt we truly understood our options. I come from a business background and I have purchased and operated three different companies in divergent fields. I have never started or purchased a business without a pretty clear understanding of the industry and the marketplace. My first company failed miserably (I was 25 years old and foolishly thought that if I had a great service, customers would find me) it was a great education. My other two companies were very successful and both were sold in time. So by waiting, it became very clear to me that all of the lease opportunities I had seen were nothing more than buying a job. The failure rate is staggering. Not because a successful lease is impossible (hard, but not impossible) but because most lease operators do not approach it as a business and the margins are horribly small. It looked to me like the risk/reward curve was VERY steep. It is just not a good business model. So we waited. A lot of my research was performed right here on TTR and after about a year I had narrowed the search down to Schneider, Landstar and Farm2Fleet. If you have been doing your own research you probably recognize the common denominator immediately. All three allow you to pick your own loads. Our kids are scattered across the country and one of the best parts of this career has been regularly seeing them all. We just wanted more control over that process.

    We bought a truck a couple of months ago, a 2009 Volvo 780, and we signed on to Farm2Fleet. Very happy with this decision. Unbelievable support from the office and the owners of the company (many on here may recognize bigbadbill, who I noticed over and over again giving sound advice to others) I do want to caution others looking at what we are doing and let them know that booking your own loads is work. More so starting out as you do not have any relationships with brokers. After a few months we are seeing a significant change in this as we are building relationships and building our reputation. Now the phone is ringing at our end with calls from brokers asking if we are available. In addition, f2f have bent over backwards putting us in front of the right people to ensure our success.

    The negatives? Really only one so far. This is a fast growing company and that always leads to growing pains. Processes are always a little behind the growth curve. They have, however, quickly addressed every concern we have voiced.

    Since there is no specific info thread on this company, I thought I should start one. I know there are a number of other f2f drivers on TTR so maybe we can be a resource for others.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2013
    seawind, kbarttt, Catman6nz and 26 others Thank this.
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  3. flood

    flood Road Train Member

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  4. ThatFlatbedGuy2013

    ThatFlatbedGuy2013 Medium Load Member

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    Feb 4, 2013
    Somewhere in the US of A
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    Good post. I started out leasing, and I failed. From what I have seen from people with similar story to yours, a good business man learns from his mistakes and applies them so he does not make the same mistake again. Especially when the mistake cost him his business. Just my take on the business world from a company driver's perspective.
     
    The Challenger Thanks this.
  5. runningman0661

    runningman0661 Road Train Member

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    Clover, South Carolina
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    Followed y'all at USX and I will look forward to your new updates with your newest adventure. Be safe!
     
  6. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    Plainfield, IL
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  7. Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Have missed reading ya'lls posts and good to see you on here again. Your the 2nd couple I've known that have gone there, and they have been very happy there. Hope you will be also.
     
    jess-juju Thanks this.
  8. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
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    There are some that question how they can do all they do as drivers. I am impressed that Craig and Anne do as much as they do while being profitable and reliable team drivers. Great drivers and great people. Thank you Craig and Anne for all the sharing and helping of other drivers you do.

    And had a great time with you two this weekend.

    Great photo of Craig relaxing this weekend in Chattanooga.
    craigleonard.jpg
     
    truckon Thanks this.
  9. Homebrew

    Homebrew Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2012
    Shenandoah, Tx
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    Good advice, I failed miserably at my first lease as well. I'm currently a freight broker but thinking about getting back out on the road. I'll follow along on your journey and keep up with how y'all are doing at F2F. Thanks, and be safe!!
     
  10. jess-juju

    jess-juju Road Train Member

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    Did you guys end up getting the Exotic animal load? OR did Shipping wars steal it?
    I was joking when I said it was the perfect team load for you guys:biggrin_25522: That's going to be hard to beat in the unusual load department!
     
    BigBadBill Thanks this.
  11. RonPaul2012

    RonPaul2012 Medium Load Member

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    Jul 21, 2011
    California
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    Anyone know where one can get more info regarding Farm2Fleet? Requirements? Truck Year? Trailer? Etc? Hiring Area? There is nothing on their website regarding applying to lease with them. Thanks..
     
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