My journey with Dart

The down payment depends on the truck. I want to say it was $2k on the new Freightliners they got but I could be wrong. They waived the downpayment on my truck. Also if you don't have it up front they will work with you. They can take it out a bit each settlement. Yes you can buy the truck outright. You just need to call them and ask what the current balance is. There is at balloon payment at the end but it can be refinanced. If you set aside about .07 A mile you could have what is needed for the baloon payment saved in about 2 years depending on your annual miles run.

This is a walk away lease so worst case just turn the truck in or get something else if it doesn't work out.

 

Sorry for the delay guys. I'll post more numbers and trip info tomorrow night.

TJ

 

Sorry I haven't been posting my numbers and what not. It's been a crazy few months and I've admittedly also been lazy haha! I have been in the shop about 6 times as well. (mostly because idiots didn't fix the problem right the first time.) The alternator went out so they replaced that under warranty. It was still having issues getting a full charge and after taking it to a few shops (and going back to some of the same ones) they finally believed me and actually inspected the starter properly. One of the posts was cracked on the starter and the nut holding the cables in place was right over the crack so someone would tighten it but it would come lose again going down the road. Starter was replaced under warranty as well I just had to pay for shop time which is BS but whatever it's fixed now. I'll post numbers in the next post.

BTW whoever designed this engine didn't really think it through. Not only does thee starter sit way too close to the frame, it also happens to sit real close to the leaf springs so good luck trying to get to it yourself and if you do make sure you have a good ratchet set and extension bars...and maybe a ramp to get underneath the truck better.

 

Ok so some of these numbers are horrible because of breakdowns so keep that in mind. Also insurance kicked in December so not making as much. I choose when to settle and get paid not Dart. Most of these are weekly but I did wait longer on others.

I really have nothing to complain about as far as the company goes. They always keep me moving and they will try to plan you a few loads ahead especially when the weekend comes up. I can't say I like the Volvo shops much in MN. I would have made more money if they fixed the problem right the first time and actually looked more closely at the problem. The Pro Shops (which are a Dart subsidiary) might take forever to get things done but they did the job the first time. The Volvo dealer in Davenport IA was great and I'd take my truck back there any day.

90% of my loads have been drop and hook.

Settlement 2 - 11/21 to 11/26Total Paid Miles 2438
Total Revenue incl. fuel surcharge: $3310
Fuel + Additive cost: $1416
Payments, Taxes, Maintenance etc: $645
Take home: $1249

Settlement 3 - 11/27 to 12/04 (Down for repairs 2 days)Total Paid Miles: 2209
Total Revenue incl. fuel surcharge: $3119
Fuel + Additive cost: $1724 (used more fuel due to poor mpg in cold weather and idling due to starter problems)
Payments, Taxes, Maintenance, Repairs etc: $759
Take home: $636

Settlement 4 - 12/05 to 12/22 (Down for a total of about 7 days due to repairs)
Total Paid Miles: 4341
Total Revenue incl. fuel surcharge: $5891
Fuel + Additive cost: $2651 (used more fuel due to poor mpg in cold weather with heavy loads and idling)
Payments, Taxes, Maintenance, Repairs etc: $2509
Take home: $731

Settlement 5 - 12/22 to 12/30 (Down for 3 days for repairs...repair shop closed over weekend)
Total Paid Miles: 2114
Total Revenue incl. fuel surcharge: $2788
Fuel + Additive cost: $1505
Payments, Taxes, Maintenance, Repairs etc: $687
Take home: $596

Settlement 6 - 12/31 to 01/08
Total Paid Miles: 2188
Total Revenue incl. fuel surcharge: $2971
Fuel + Additive cost: $1413
Payments, Taxes, Maintenance, Repairs etc: $838
Take home: $720

 

Yes they are for a few reasons: downtime for repairs, holidays where receivers were closed so I had to wait an extra day here and there, took a few days to see family over the holiday, burned too much fuel idling because I didn't want to shut the truck down since the idiot mechanics I dealt with didn't fix the issues with the starter right the first time, some shops were closed as well over the holidays or weekends and I had to get repairs so that meant more downtime. It has nothing to do with Dart as a company and again I chose when to settle not Dart. Also I'm buying a truck in the process of all of this. I'm not a company driver.