Van Wyk Inc.

Hi my name is Ron and I am giving my notice to TMC tomorrow, and starting Orientation on November 5th,and I am trying to get some info on the company. I live in Rhode Island and was wondering how the money will be running out of Front Royal,VA up into Norton Mass,also how are the Kenworth 660's with pulling power,and speed of truck,also wanted to know if they had studio sleepers,and satellite radios,and overall driver comforts. Thanks for any info,and I look forward to joining your Team.

 

Sleepers are standard kw, nothing really special, though from my experience, mostly junk, if you get one that doesn't run DEF, consider yourself lucky, I've had this one in a dealership 4 times in one month for the same thing because it never gets fixed right. I've heard the volvos are nice, but I'm not sure if I'll be here long enough to get in one. The loads out of front royal to norton & plympton pay really good, back hauls usually to mid Atlantic ratholes like Jessup md, other places in va, or they deadhead all the way there. Deadhead miles pay almost nothing, and if you choose to run out west, the pay for westbound loads lousy, but meat and other refrigerated loads going back east make up for it. Dont be surprised if people act secretive when you ask questions, since the communication between people in the office and between terminals is nonexistent. That's pretty much it in a nutshell, IMHO.

 

Thanks Spyder,I am trying to find a decent company that pays well and it sounds like I can make the same money I'm making now doing flatbedding, and the trucks do seem better than the 2007 Pete I'm in now which has no driver comforts and only runs at 62 mph.... Hope I'm Right.

 

Welcome aboard Ron guessing you will get 09 or 10 kw 660. Trucks cruise to 65 but you have a lil extra pedal that will let you run 68. Should have satellite radio and fridge. Have heard you can make about a thousand a week but I'm not sure. Stay away from Sheldon and you will be okay. Shop guys are #### and Ron and Adam in dispatch are complete morons. Good luck

 

I would say the T660's pull ok, not wonderful. Trucks are set on 65 on cruise, 68 on the foot. There are satellite radios and fridges, they'll install an inverter that you provide as well.

Those NE RDC loads pay well, I've not done a back haul to VA out of up there, they've loaded me back for Iowa, which, BTW, didn't pay wonderful, but that's the bus.

Now. Communication. Yes, it could be improved upon. I would recommend you ask lots of questions. There is no big nefarious agenda against drivers, it seems to me the office folks have a lot on their plates. Ask questions, they'll respond.

 

Thanks for the info mushroom,I'm looking forward to running reefer again,flatbedding is defiantly not for me.i will keep in touch once I get rolling.... Thanks again.

 

Man Mushroom, sounds like you are reaching wits in over there lmao...

And too whomever this may concern, if you get an Pre-DEF KW, that thing pulls like a Som of *****, My DEF truck didn't do so bad it's self but with 40K on and an 435 under the hood, i don't know what else you can ask for

 

Agreed. When I had a pre def truck it pulled good. The SCR ISX, not so much, but ok

 

The pre DEF motors are a completely different platform than the ones with DEF. It was not a choice of ours to change engines though, Cummins quit making the DOHC ISX since it could not comply with emissions. The Volvo's are ok I guess. So far the drive train is holding up but the interior is a whole different story. None of my drawers or cabinets open without using a flathead screwdriver and flashlight. After pulling one of the drawers out and looking at it the screws are set right into the plastic instead of using metal thread sleeves. All of the latches hang loose when they grab the post making the lever nonfunctional since there is not enough tension to release the jaws. I'm sure the cabinets would all be warranty work, but this thing is only going into a dealer for something that would keep it from rolling. Plus I despise Volvo dealerships, they could learn quite a bit by observing a Peterbilt shop that's for sure.

 

Lol I can relate on the Volvo dealerships, I had a Volvo 630 (can you say small sleeper?)with my last outfit, and they kept sending me into the GATR Volvo dealer in Cedar Rapids for "updates". They kept cannabalizing parts off of my truck, and the mechanics at that place could screw up a 1 car funeral procession!