mercer transportation

My load is 25 ft long. My tarp is 24? Would it be okay to use a smoke tarp so I don't have to unroll another full tarp lol

 

Yes

Yes as long as its covered.

 

The tarps are 24x30 arnt they? My load not even 4 2x4 high

 

I don't expect flatbed rates with van freight, but are vans really that bad? Are the people that are switching to flats just seeing the rates are better or is it that there are alot of $1 per mile rates with vans? I know flats pay better, that's industry wide, but is van freight really that bad?

 

I guess it depends who you talk to. Most van guys I talk to do very well. There are a few on here that claim they can't do it. Where they stand in the ranking system I have no idea. But I'm in the top 10% pulling FB and talking with a van guy in the top 10% we almost make the same $. And ATM flat rates are dropping too. I would not be affraid of going with vans. But I already know how to run my business at a hefty profit.

 

Depends on who you ask. Obviously the rates are better, I mean in the last 3 months my average for all miles was 4 cents more than with my prior carrier. Mind you that was pulling their trailers and majority drop and hook. So I did 8 months here of vans, and the last month on flats and this is what I've noticed, rates are much higher, my deadhead with flats is negligible where it was getting astronomical with a van, customers are much better and I only run probably 45% of miles I did with vans. Now, I probably avg about 15 to 16 days a month working but revenue versus expense it's not close and like I've always said, including to mercer, show me the facts, hard copy to even mention vans in the same sentence as flats. Again, that all depends on expectations and to that it's each his own.

 

Being with SNI pulling their freight although the freight base is much larger, for the most part, I have an idea where the better lanes are and that is important. I don't mind going just about anywhere if it pays well enough, except for Florida lol. I haven't been there since I've been with SNI. I think it's just like any company, it's all about averages, not just one load. Having my own trailer and not having to hunt empties all the time will be a plus for me. I know it's never too late to learn, but I'm pushing 50 and all I've ever pulled is Van, pneumatic tank and end dump, so I'm just a little apprehensive of the flat thing. I usually stay 2-3 weeks and go home for 3-5 days and usually run balls to the wall while out. Just trying to get a feel on the rates at Mercer.

 

Heck it's never too late to pull a flat. I'm mid forties and never pulled anything but a van. The flat has been somewhat fun, I was expecting back breaking work but it's nothing like that.

 

I would warn you that the freight lanes may be way different then SNI lanes. Talking with an exSNI guy, he stated the hardest thing for him was realizing Mercer van freight was a lot different then SNI. He figured it had to do with both having different customers. And SNI was a lot of drop n hook. I don't know as I'm FB but it made sense to me.

 

That does make sense and each company is different. I guess I was just going by the general rule that midwest freight is usually good, northeast pays well going in, not so much coming out. Florida sucks coming out and with SNI, going west is not very good anymore going in or out. Right now I pretty much run from Tn. up to WI,IL,IN,OH or IA and pretty much stay in that area for the most part until I come home. Most of the freight I haul is in the $1.40-$1.90 range with a few short ones that pay $2 plus, but most of my freight pays on avg. about $1.75