mercer transportation

I'll be getting rid of my Utility spread as soon as the new one is ready to hit the road. How long have you been leasing the trailer from Mercer?

I don't see the weight of your tractor influencing the benefits of a spread. Your max gross weight is still the same, the major benefit is not worrying about axle weights. Heavier loads that are more concentrated are just loaded somewhat behind the center of the trailer putting more weight to the rear axles, and you're good. If you are only ever going to haul light loads there is no benefit, but if your are going to be open to hauling whatever is available (and pays enough) then a spread is definitely beneficial.

It took me three years to find what I was looking for, sliding spreads in an aluminum trailer at a good price. That's a rare item indeed. Coincidentally I came across it ten days after paying off my trailer from Mercer.

As far as Canada loads rates vary, and it also depends where you want to run. 2.40 on a load that's 400 miles is not as nice as on a 2200 mile load. Last loads I did this past week, 2.70 up (37K lbs) and 2.10 return (10K lbs). Loaded 30 miles from the house and came back to within 130 miles, good enough for me.

 

I have only had the trailer for 2 months, so I wouldn't lose much on it. So I figure if I can't raise the rate ill reduce my costs. I don't know maybe I'm thinking too much.

 

Ya I think it's to much to fast I'd keep staking that money...did you pay cash on your truck?

 

No, i got the truck for 16k put 4k down and was going to start paying off if I can ever get into a rythym.

 

I think I'd just work on that goal first things change fast in trucking, my trailer note is $820 a month so how much are you really going to save

 

Where/how do you plan to get a trailer if you turn that one back in? If you can't pay cash for one you'll still have payments. At least Mercer won't take your entire check like most companies do. The way they pro-rate the payment is about as fair as it gets. Take some time off and you're a bit behind, but you'll always get 25% of your revenue unless you really owe a big wad of money to them. Miss a payment getting a trailer somewhere else and at a minimum it can go against your credit. So, what's the plan?

And yes, if you're going to turn it in, this is the definitely the best time to do it, but, again, what's the plan?

 

Well I would find a older trailer I could pay cash for, I definately would not finance a trailer from a dealer. I don't know where you got that. But bayou makes sense that I should work on paying off my truck first, like isaid some times I think too much. It just hasn't been a very good month for me.

 

But you can't spend all your reserve cash either a paid off trailer In your drive way does no good hooked to a truck that's broke with out money to fix it.....

 

I'd rather keep up with payments and maintain cash on hand. Not having money for repairs has probably put more O/O's out of their truck than anything else. You owe 12k on the truck? How much do you plan to pay cash for a trailer that will not need a bunch of work?

 

I know, 550 a month is a good deal for a new trailer, I'm just thinking too much.