Mercer or landstar

Very good points, and yes we are definately out to make money. As far as fuel mileage...I am currently driving a pete with pretty much the same specs as the one I'm looking to buy and I average about 5.5 mpg...I will definately be looking into an APU also. But I didn't buy the truck yet either. You've definately given me some things to think about so I thank for that!

 

Your in a good area, just don't go east of where you are, trust me! Have you ever pulled a flat? If you haven't, boy they are nice. In and out 95% of the time, unless you are hauling steel. And when you pull into a shipper or consignee, they are usually pretty darn nice to you, not like a van or reefer.

I just wish we had a little more freight.

Well, we shall see. As I am dragging mine back out of storage next week. Yee Haw!!!

Mike

 

Gonzo,

Thanks for this post. So it looks like your basically realizing a 50% operating margin. If that's the case, (I'm sure there is some variance) that's really good and encouraging. I work in commercial lending, and most businesses can't even dream of that kind of profit.

 

If you can, get that Pete into a shop that can bring up the ECM. It should be able to tell you the mpg or at least give you a good guess as to what you are buying. Myself, if it has to be a Pete, and I love em, look for one with a Cummins. Much better mpg, as I haven't seen Cummins putting out two page spreads blaming drivers for their poor fuel economy.

And let me state... I ain't a mechanic, I hate trucking, could care less what is under the hood as long as it has HP and enough TORQUE, ain't a 9 speed or super 10 and it makes me money. That is my criteria. And a DINETTE, need a dinette. A 2004 Pete, can have a dinette from the factory. The reason I am not driving a Pete. As I could not find a 2006 or 7 Pete with a dinette with a Cummins, as they quit making them in 2004. And I have no use for a 300" wheel base truck with a mega sleeper. Though it would be nice looking sitting in my driveway.

Mike

 

I signed on with Mercer the first of July. I did the lease purchase on a 48, 102 flat utility, Its a really nice trailer. I was going to buy a new Mac aluminum flat, nice trailer, but looking at this being my first time as an o/o I was looking to save every dime I could. I wanted to buy a W900, I looked at a few, But I came across an 2003 T600 With 600 ISX, 13 Speed, 355 rears. Plus the price was right. Tractor and trailer $1100.00 a month. If I run between 62 & 65, I can get 7mpg, If I crank it up to 75, 4.8 to 5.0. When I went looking for a tractor I was going to buy a Pete or a KW. I would not even look at a Volvo. Yes I know about the fuel ecomomy, but I also know about all the electrical problems. So what good is fuel ecomony if you are down with repairs. Freightliner, I have driven them for years, I would rather buy an International.
As for Mercer, I like them. I looked at the rest and choose Mercer, I am happy with my choice. I am still learning how to work the system. It is slow right now. The rates dropped faster than fuel. We are all fighting that. I want to stay out west but with things the way they are I am Open to almost anything. I did say almost. I dont turn down alot of freight. I still think that I should have bought a stepdeck. If you have one you will move alot of flat freight, but I have missed freight that would have got me out of places that i had to deadhead out of. I will see how this year goes, If I feel I will be better off with a step I will get one. Hell its only money, right?

 

Hey, what's with the Volvo knock! Just kidding! Sounds like you have a nice truck, and it isn't costing you an arm and a leg, CONGRATS!

As far as the step, I think if I was out west, that is what I would have. Back here where I am, a step would have its limits from what I have seen in the past... But, a nice step with some ramps and cross members is now a money maker up here. That is the problem right now, everything is hit and miss in this market. But we all know that.

Good luck at Mercer, and may your bank account over flow with cash!

Mike

 

I'm not knocking Mercer. But I haven't meet anyone on the road that drives for them that was happy. Helped me go with LS.

Step loads are lighter and pay more in general, but are fewer.

I've run both steps and flats and have been way busier and bounced less between loads with a flat.

I've been running the southwest only since October and have been as busy as i want. I'm coming off a months vacation for the holidays starting monday. I've kept out of the snow this winter so far.

I like the east also but why just run there if you can make more money elsewhere.

Freightliners get great mileage and parts are generally less expensive.
Sure I'd like to have a Pete, but i don't want the payment and high fuel cost and parts cost.

I try to always keep more than half of every load.

Just my opinions.

 

My "formula" isn't perfect just a guideline I found that works to do a quick assessment of the revenue you'd need to be able to stay ahead..

I wouldn't say it is 50% profit.. You still have taxes and wages, accounting fees, and other operating costs that you have to deduct from that income for other truck related expences.. I just found that it "works for me"... as a guide on how hard I need to work.. Thought it might help you and you could feel comfortable in talking with various recruiters when asking what type of $$ and miles they do.. and monthly average revenues..

Mercer will ask you what you want to make each month in $$.. They didn't lie to me when I said I needed $8000 a month to "make it"... My needs have gone down since I paid off my tractor, so I just don't work as hard as I used to..

I've seen guys show up # Mercer with shiney new tractors, and brand new Reit. alum. stepdecks.. And boast how they have to have $12,000 min. each month.. Those guys are in over their head.. Getting #'s like that EVERY month pulling general freight will be next to impossible in my experiance.

If you're a team, hauling, stuff like radioactive, ammo, explosives, stuff.. you might be doing better.. But those opprotunities arn't always avail. and when they are they don't last.. On top of that you have to be experianced, have the nessessary licenses, security clearances, equipment..ect.

Flat / stepdeck freight is basicly a 5 day a week job.. Most places don't work weekends. (Mercer doesn't work on the weekends, just emergency dispatch only, NO non emerg. calls, no loading or booking freight) Teams usually can't stay busy enough to justify running a team (unless it's husband and wife, they just wanna be together and don't care if they run hard or not) Sure there are a few PSS teams that haul those special military loads, ammo, rifles, sensitive items..ect. but those loads are scarce and it's hard to get into those.. You must be a team, you must have a Qcomm w/ a panic button, you must have the security / background checks, haz mat endorsement & stuff. To qualify..

I averaged $1.40 a mi. for ALL my miles in 2006, In 2007 I averaged $1.46 for all miles (loaded AND empty) I have not figured out the final #s yet for this year.. I bought my RGN in July.. so the numbers will be different.. Just some thing to consider.. I don't work real hard, I am NOT a hard runner, I try to work "smarter not harder" I like to say..

 

my fingers are strating to get tired...lol,lol...but i will sum this fantasy all up for everyone...yes i no,i will take a beating with this reply....

the whole truth and nothing but the truth is this....after 20 years of this ride i am on i have come to this conclusion......

1-you will never get rich in trucking
2-you will pull your hair out of your head
3-you will drive the truck,work on the truck and eat breathe and crap the truck

and #4 -all in a nut shell after we are all done disecting every single last pennie and rearranging every once of copper from that pennie.the answer is always this.....ready,ready here it is...

YOU ONLY BUY YOURSELF A JOB.......THATS IT..NO MORE NO LESS....

 

I will have to agree with you about never getting trucking off your mind so to speak.wifes job got outsourced to india this year so were paying bills based on 2 jobs with only 1 income.with the way things are going in trucking today i can't even dream without a truck being involved.Hope everyone does better this year it's time for a change ya know.lol Walt