Going from van to straight truck

[johnf]

I have a van i want to get into a straight truck just need some help from you guys in making this decision since you have been doing this for a long time.

What brand of truck is best?

Reefer or not?

With or without lift-gate?


Any info would be appreciated thanks......

 

[Slo-Ride]

I think there are lots of topics here on this subject,seach em out and do all the reading ya can find.
I aint been doing this a long time but my opinions are;
The best truck is the cheapest and most reliable you can afford right now. Dont count on huge pay days. What kinda payments (if any) can you afford to make today. Also look at what work you are going to do with it or needs of the carrier if your going to sign it with one.
Ask yourself what ya want and need on the piece of equipt.
Do ya need tandems, a lift axle, is a bigger sleeper for you or can ya get away with a small one etc etc.
I think for most in this line of work the m-2 works fine. Nice lil city truck but will take ya x country if ya want to.With some good care the M-2 should hold up fine for most jobs. I'm running the M-2 and only thing different I wish I had is a lift axle.
But bigger always better Just cost ya more.

reefer?? only you or your carrier can answer that. Is there a need for it where your going to work the truck.

Lift gate..Same answer,is there a need? Where I am I know a guy that didn't use his in so long he didn't know it was broke until we tried to operate it one day.
Remember the more equip a truck has the more ya sink in maintenance.
Remember this is only my opinion and what do I know??
In this business I'm still new and learning what works out here every day.

 

[ntimevan]

Alot of people will have different views on this, Driving as a team will get you more MILES , but half of those extra miles will be yours. STR-8 truck comes with more exspences sometimes, plus log book and scales and of course the THRILL of a ****ED OFF patrol officer coming out of the medium needing to make their quota of suprise inspections. lol But if i had the extra $ backup I would be driving a str-8 BY MYSELF , I just enjoyed it more and extra sleeping area doesn't hurt either. AGAIN just my OP.

 

[redytrk]

I made the transition from "B" to "C". Now with the new HOS a switch back looks inviting. The 14 hour clock makes it very difficult for a Solo driver. of course if you will be a team, thats a whole different matter. Teams are in short supply, and worked very hard.

 

[johnf]

Let me introduce my self I'm john I'm with fedexcc Ive been in this business for six months Ive owned businesses since i was 20 years old the current economy lead me to expediting i know how to crunch numbers i think i can make this work as long as the economy doesn't start going in reverse again but that is the risk that we all take.I have found someone to run the van and i also found a driver to run with me as a team.But don't know if that extra equipment would payoff,i would also like to get a dependable truck used for now and then go from there.


Any advice greatly appreciated....

John

Boston,MA

 

[Slo-Ride]

The 14 hour clock makes it very difficult for a Solo driver. of course if you will be a team, thats a whole different matter. Teams are in short supply, and worked very hard.

I'm a solo driver and I don't want to work anymore then then 14 hours a day.Anywhere I go even if its a 11 hour drive is just bout right for me because by not getting team miles (to far from house) I can be assured the only d/heading on my dime is right back to my couch. I did do the team thing for a very very short time and never got comfortable sleeping while someone else was driving and always felt like I did the whole trip without good rest.
I didnt like it, the other driver was not my soul mate and properly was what made team driving not for me..I realize if it was the wife life would be different out here and properly better(maybe) but its not the way it is. Im happy Solo & staying within 600 miles of the house.It works for me

 

[Slo-Ride]

Any advice greatly appreciated....

John

Boston,MA

We are trying John,,sooner or later someone that knows what they are talking bout may chime in..
The rest of us are just working on our post counts and passing away our sunday morning waiting to empty out in the A.M.

best of luck,,,I hope ya get your truck soon

 

[johnf]

You guys are very helpful Ive done allot of research on trucks but since i am new to this i don't want to make any major mistakes even tho i know i will and i will learn from them but want to keep them to a minimum if possible LOL

That's why i ask allot of questions and hopefully get some good advice......

And answers LOL

 

[Slo-Ride]

Ya said your thinking used,,
Make sure carrier will accept it before purchase if thats what your doing.And be sure to get it to a good mechanic (one you trust not delivering dealer) to be checked out if your not comfortably looking it over yourself.

 

[redytrk]

We are trying John,,sooner or later someone that knows what they are talking bout may chime in..
The rest of us are just working on our post counts and passing away our sunday morning waiting to empty out in the A.M.

best of luck,,,I hope ya get your truck soon

I have only been doing expediting for 22 years. Roberts Express, then gobbled up by FedEx.
Still consider myself a rookie. No one knows it all.

 

[johnf]

That's the other problem there no expediter truck dealers around my area Ive been looking in MI and OH. that will be another problem when i get there to find a reliable mechanic around that area that i can rely on

 

[johnf]

I have only been doing expediting for 22 years. Roberts Express, then gobbled up by FedEx.
Still consider myself a rookie. No one knows it all.

We'll be learning everyday till the day we leave this earth thats for sure

 

[Slo-Ride]

I have only been doing expediting for 22 years. Roberts Express, then gobbled up by FedEx.
Still consider myself a rookie. No one knows it all.

I aint been expediting that long but been playing with trucks and heavy equipt at least that long and no longer want to know it all..Its all changed and my mind will no longer let me keep up with change Its the wires,,they are putting wires where we dont need em

 

[Slo-Ride]

That's the other problem there no expediter truck dealers around my area Ive been looking in MI and OH. that will be another problem when i get there to find a reliable mechanic around that area that i can rely on

If ya land in Mich and need some help I can set ya up with a pretty good back shop for your heavy repairs if and when its needed.. As far as your running repairs that can be hit and miss and your almost at the mercy of the shop ya pull into at the time. A good tool box carried with ya will go along ways out here.anything ya can do yourself saves $$$

Ya don't need someone that strictly works on expedite trucks for repairs,,it helps for the sleeper repairs and access to the parts. With trucks a mechical knowledge is whats needed and then from there a good mechinic will work thru your repairs

 

[johnf]

If ya land in Mich and need some help I can set ya up with a pretty good back shop for your heavy repairs if and when its needed.. As far as your running repairs that can be hit and miss and your almost at the mercy of the shop ya pull into at the time. A good tool box carried with ya will go along ways out here.anything ya can do yourself saves $$$

Ya don't need someone that strictly works on expedite trucks for repairs,,it helps for the sleeper repairs and access to the parts. With trucks a mechical knowledge is whats needed and then from there a good mechinic will work thru your repairs

Hey thanks for the help.

 

[greg334]

Before you do anything, what is it you really want to do? (ask yourself)

Then did you talk to FedEx? I mean not to your "cc" but to someone in recuirting or where ever to see what they may not want? They may not want a single driver in a truck, but a van.

Are you planning on becoming a WG driver/truck?

If not drop the reefer idea.

The lift gate will be an asset but maybe not used as much as it should to justify the cost of maintaining it. To answer if you can use it, you will have to find an honest person who is willing to pull the info out of their system (it's there) to see how much business with a lift gate is being done.

I would also think about leaving FedEx, I was warned it wasn't a great solo company and it turned out to be partially true.

 

[jjoerger]

Go for a class 8 truck if you can find a good used one at a price you can afford.
Check out the classifieds on here.
A lift gate and pallet jack will get you more opps than not having one.
A reefer will get you more opps, but the higher price of the truck and the maintenance on the reefer may not make it worthwhile.

 

[Dakota]

What brand of truck is best? NOT A HINO

Reefer or not? Depends on the company you are leased to

With or without lift-gate? I love a liftgate, but again depends on the company, I wouldn't get one unless they pay you to use it. Liftgate adds weight, cuts gas mileage a little and is just more added maintenance, but for me it is a must have