mercer transportation

From https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/drivers-handbook-cargo-securement-chapter-10-heavy-vehicles-equipment.

Chapter 10: Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, and Machinery
The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of heavy vehicles, equipment, and machinery that:

• Operate on wheels or tracks, such as front end loaders, bulldozers, tractors, and power shovels.
  
• Individually weigh more than 4500 kg (10,000 lb.).

Tiedown requirements

• Restrain cargo using a minimum of four tiedowns, each having a WLL of at least 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.).
  
• Prevents cargo movement in the side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertical directions.

Attach tiedowns:

• Either at the front and rear of the vehicle.
  
• Or at the mounting points on the vehicle designed for that purpose.

 

We spoke to a recruiter today (Raffique--he seemed like a really nice guy). Our goal is to save money and pay off a few debts and go to orientation around May 15.
I have a couple of questions:
1. As far as ELDs go, what is the difference between JJKeller vs. Qualcomm (besides the $600 price tag). Is one better than the other?
2. We have an old trailer (2000) that we haven't used over the last nearly 4 years, but have decided it is not worth the expense to fix it. So we have decided to lease one from Mercer. Can we choose a 53-foot flatbed or are all of their trailers 48-foot trailers? If a 53-foot trailer is an option, what is the monthly lease fee? Finally, would some of you be willing to post a picture of your Mercer-leased trailer?
3. We were told there are about 45 Canadian drivers contracted to Mercer--are any if you on this board? We'd love to talk to you. We are not sure yet if he will lease in as a Canadian or if we will wait until he has his US permanent residence.
Thanks everyone!
Chickadee

 

1: main difference is the JJKeller uses any android device via bluetooth and cost 3 bucks a month. The qualcomm is a stand alone device permanently attached in the truck and costs 30 bucks a month. Both work fine.



2: Only 48 ft trailers. Plain Jane no frills 48 ft combo great dane freedom lt models. 2 boxes. Sliding winches on each side.

3: There is no "canadian" board. They are all in the same systems fleet as everyone else. Works the exact same for the Canadians with a couple slight differences. If you take a load to the states, you get top pick on any load going back to Canada. Same for the US drivers that go up there.

 

The main difference for me was that when I got the JJ Keller it was free. LOL

 

Our phones are not Android. Does it work with Apple devices too? Free (or nearly free) is a good price if they both serve the same function.

Any pics of your guys' trailers? My husband would want to install a dunnage rack and a rack for his tarps. Would they be mad if we did that if it were professionally installed? It would add to the value if for any reason we ended our lease. He would also like to install the oversize pullout lights. Do you think they would allow these changes?

 

Wouldnt be a problem.

 

Couple questions:

3 axle truck alignment, recommendations?

Also, has anyone ever had a local DOT officer do an inspection on your truck prior to Mercer's inspection?

 

Spyder. No problem...to install the racks and lights? Just want to make sure. Thanks

 

You can pretty much do whatever you want to the trailer.

 

I’ve always heard that MD Alignment has the best alignments. They have shops all over that can be located at http://www.mdalign.com/servicecenters.php.

I wouldn’t poke that bear.