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Just a wild guess here, I would expect most of the big outfits to require it (some won't) and the small outfits to be hit-or-miss, you'll have to ask if they do or don't. I drive for a small outfit, it doesn't require a DOT physical. Does the company haul hazmat that requires placarding...

FWIW, for about a year I drove for two companies. Thought I might make more money that way. It was my worst year ever. I've been driving for one company these past couple of years, not great but with fewer problems anyway. If I would change-- MP might make a good change, I'll give it a...

Let's be clear about what we're talking about here. Right now, the question concerns the under 10K crowd and whether specific companies require the DOT physical. Up to now, this has not been a federal requirement unless you're hauling placarded hazmat or you're in a very large (over 12...

I wonder how quick many of these "thin the herd" types would change their tune if it suddenly meant them. Everybody seems to be in favor of something that adversely affects the other guy but when the tables get turned and it suddenly means me-- hey, wait a minute, that's not fair! Sorry about...

My personal experience is that the companies LOVE Sprinters, and will hire drivers who have them-- but they may be a little less anxious to give you the kind of jobs/money per mile that it takes to maintain these big money-extinguishers. Those machines are Mercedes Benz, and when they need...

Dust comes from outer space. No foolin', every day a surprising amount of space debris floats down and coats everything. It also comes from inner space. Volcanoes belch up tons of ash and dust, and over a period of time that dust settles on your vehicle. There is no escape, as long as we...

The only reason I'm getting loads for my van is because I'm contracted to an outfit. If I had to find loads for myself, it would be all ends even here in the Chicago area. The place is saturated with CVs and Sprinters, trying to wildcat here would be a sure way to go broke.

Isn't Los Angeles always at a standstill? Seems every time I see their traffic on TV nothing is moving. Howsomever: Didn't I just see a post a few days ago where a guy from California was saying he couldn't get any carrier to sign him on because he lives in California? And, didn't I read in...

A high BMI or a neck over 17" doesn't automatically mean poor health, either. It does to Government busybodies and health-nazis, but not necessarily in real life where you and I have to live. It is sensible to get a physical to see if you're fit to drive. It is NOT sensible to say that because...

I don't have any of that electronic tracking stuff. If I'm not actively engaged on a run, the vehicle is mine to go where I will. If the company wants to put tracking hardware on my van, we'll have to start talking about the differences between "I.C" and "Employee". My signs are magnetic...

A 2500 is the better bet here. Those wheel wells gobble up an awful lot of space, and while you can get around that by raising the floor that comes at the cost of giving up ceiling clearance, which is one of the reasons for having a Sprinter in the first place. It's really simple: The 2500...

If you're looking to be a COMPANY driver, I have bad news for you. I don't think there are any company expedited drivers. We're all O/O independent contractors out here. As Ragman says, it's a whole different game. First thing you have to do before you do anything else is: Burn your "employee...

I ran about 54,000 loaded miles last year. But-- I'm an out-and-back driver so that's quite a different thing than a guy who gets out and stays out for a few months. I'm looking at what Turtle said the majority of vans do-- loaded miles-- and it's making me think a bit. 60 to 80 K loaded miles a...

I drive a 2500 series Chevy CV, I ain't agunna roll without that paper. It's all that i have to prove that the freight I have on board is legitimate, that I have knowledge of what I'm carrying and so on. Not to mention that without a signed BOL, I will have worked for free and in this day...

If you need help financing so bad that you're willing to take the heat dished out here, then a Sprinter is probably the wrong answer for you anyway. Those things are expensive. Expensive to buy, expensive parts only available from limited sources, a niche vehicle built by a luxury-car maker and...

Hmmm.... Not on my trucker's atlas, or in my GPS, or on Google Maps. I suppose Junior Samples can give directions to the place, though.

I have a feeling this is not going to work well for the OP. Especially since Interstates 65 and 75 don't cross anywhere. Y'know, this morning I had a bit of a run-in at a Pilot in Indianapolis. I had just pulled up to the gas pumps when this guy in a red SUV approached me for a couple of...

About the cargo vans/Sprinters: The 2500 series vans will all be under 10K by a generous amount. My Chevy is rated at 8,600, a 2500 series Sprinter will be rated at about 8550. The 3500 series vans are likely to run close to 10K gross, these are the ones you have to keep an eye on the door...

Right now, there are two things driving the rates. One is the risk, of course. The other is that, as of this writing, Progressive/CIS are the only game in town for this kind of insurance. With no competition, what do you think the rates are going to be like? If you want Expeditor's Insurance...

Ive been boycotting TA/Petro just on the general principle of the thing. Most times, if I buy at a truck-stop it'll be at Pilot/Flying J and I'll favor the Flying J if I have the choice. Otherwise, I'll fill up at any gas station that looks halfway decent.