Looking for feedback and advice

Make sure to read the lease agreement before you sign it. Get a list of all weekly charge backs. Find out if you choose what freight you run or if your dispatcher does. Are there any penalties for refusing freight? Are there any charges for freight not completed because of breakdown. Do you receive a fuel surcharge and do you get 100% of the surcharge?

What is the companies CSA scores ? Do they have direct freight customers or do they run off the load boards ( Broker freight). Do you get Detention time - how much and how many hours of free time do you have to give up? Do they have a fuel card? Do you get a fuel discount- if so, is it at the pump or at settlement?

Do they offer EZ Pass or Pre Pass? Do they reimburse for tolls or weight tickets? Do they have a shop that will work on your truck? How much is the escrow? When do you receive settlement for BOL's completed? I am sure I missed some items, but if they hesitate to answer any the above questions, then move on to the next carrier.

 

When you have a list of prospective companies, take it to your bank and have them run their credit. You may come out of there with a pretty short list, or no list at all.

 

Don’t get hung up on that percentage
It really means nothing


I was on with a company that paid 90%
Switched to a company that pays 75% and I have hauled the same loads for the new one that I had for the old and made more at 75%

90% of $2 is $1.80
75% of $4 is $3

All companies will move money around like a game of Monopoly
You just need to find the one you like the most and are ok with their game

 

Ask Moeller what their rate is back out of Florida. I talked to them 3 years ago, and they have a contract for OJ coming back north. Their return loads at that time would have come out to 1/mile to the truck, including fuel. I’m sure it’s a little higher now but I would definitely find that out first.

 

I’d say if you’re going to buy a truck and lease it to a carrier, look at either Landstar, Mercer or even Schneider, you pick your loads, and if you fail, it’s all on you, not some load coordinator.