How does your truck/fleet owner rate?

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
So many times we drivers go online and read and post all the terror stories of bad truck owners who have damaged us. It is all to common to read of drivers not getting paid, not having fuel money, overcharged for expenses, ect. . . the list goes on and on.
Today why not hear from drivers that are driving for the honest, dependable truck owners. Lets hear the positive for once because there really are truck and fleet owners that are real gems.
I drive for Judd Transportation. Brian is a truely honorable truck owner. Provides top notch equipment, is 100% dependable on pay out, and provides the best fleet co-ordinator who truely cares and looks out for those who depend on her.
What about you, how does your truck or fleet owner rate? :rolleyes:
 

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
So many times we drivers go online and read and post all the terror stories of bad truck owners who have damaged us. It is all to common to read of drivers not getting paid, not having fuel money, overcharged for expenses, ect. . . the list goes on and on.
Today why not hear from drivers that are driving for the honest, dependable truck owners. Lets hear the positive for once because there really are truck and fleet owners that are real gems.
I drive for Judd Transportation. Brian is a truely honorable truck owner. Provides top notch equipment, is 100% dependable on pay out, and provides the best fleet co-ordinator who truely cares and looks out for those who depend on her.
What about you, how does your truck or fleet owner rate? :rolleyes:



Make up your mind Yesteryear,do you want all comments or just the positive one's? Also it is interesting that twice in 2 days you have praised your fleet owner to the heavens.

I'm not saying that is a bad thing,just interesting.
 

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
Make up your mind Yesteryear,do you want all comments or just the positive one's? Also it is interesting that twice in 2 days you have praised your fleet owner to the heavens.

I'm not saying that is a bad thing,just interesting.

NO, This thread is to praise truck owners, we hear enough of the bad. Let me know how to change my wording if you are reading it as a slam session.

Why do I praise my truck owner, because I have drove for the other and was burned. My present truck owner is an elderly retired gentleman, (that does not use a computer) who has a number of trucks. He provides us with one of the best trucks available. We have a tv with surround sound, mp3 player, stereo, full-size bed with inner-spring mattress, sink with running water, large refridgerator with freezer, microwave with browning oven, lots of living space. He keeps our truck in excellent repair, he pays us on time and is never wrong in the amount. It is always to the dime.
You ask why I praise him? Because I think we should try to be positive. I think if someone deserves to be recognized we should try to recognize that person. It is the right thing to do.
 

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
My owner is like a diaper, full of crap and always on my butt. he can be a real PITA!!! Wait, I am my own..........:D
 

inkasnana

Expert Expediter
We've been down the "nightmare owners from hell" road before, (long, sordid story best left untold) but the one we drive for now is wonderful. He's very involved with his business and his drivers, honest, friendly, fair and genuinely cares about those who drive for him.
 

mypie

Seasoned Expediter
The true sign of a good owner is . . .

Do you get paid on time and in the correct amount? Yes

When you call in, are they helpful and pleasant? Yes

And, when your truck needs repair or maintenance - is it done promptly? Yes

I have a good owner.
 

bluejaybee

Veteran Expediter
I own my truck, but am leased to a guy who has some trucks of his own. He is the one who pays me, so he is like an owner, so I guess I can rate him. The main thing about him is I have seen situations where a lie might have made him look better, but he didn't lie. He manned up and took the flak. To me, that is a good sign. I have never been concerned about the money part. He tells you when he will pay and that is when he pays you. Period! So I will give him a good rating.
 

Humble2drive

Expert Expediter
Excellent!

Late model, well maintained equipment with all the bells and whistles to qualify for any type of WG Tval LG DOD load.

No micromanaging, we decide what to accept and where to go.

Paid weekly at exactly the same time and to the penny.

Paid hotel if truck maintainance is necessary.

etc. etc.

Our Contract Coordinator is a different story so I will leave that one alone.
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
NO, This thread is to praise truck owners, we hear enough of the bad. Let me know how to change my wording if you are reading it as a slam session.

Why do I praise my truck owner, because I have drove for the other and was burned. My present truck owner is an elderly retired gentleman, (that does not use a computer) who has a number of trucks. He provides us with one of the best trucks available. We have a tv with surround sound, mp3 player, stereo, full-size bed with inner-spring mattress, sink with running water, large refridgerator with freezer, microwave with browning oven, lots of living space. He keeps our truck in excellent repair, he pays us on time and is never wrong in the amount. It is always to the dime.
You ask why I praise him? Because I think we should try to be positive. I think if someone deserves to be recognized we should try to recognize that person. It is the right thing to do.

Well now, surround sound tv, mp3, sterio, full size bed, zink,w/water tank, LARGE fridge, microwave, lots of living space?? Sounds like a real money maker to me!!

That is precisely the way I loved to see equipment fielded. Too many "things" aboard to be able to have any weight capacity. Wayyy to large of a camper to have any cube capacity. That kinda thing always made me happy to be around a few trucks like that, when I wuz in the mix with a "work'in truck". No matter where I wuz in the FIFO count, it seemed the others jes couldn't handle the freight an..... well you know.
 

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
Well now, surround sound tv, mp3, sterio, full size bed, zink,w/water tank, LARGE fridge, microwave, lots of living space?? Sounds like a real money maker to me!!

That is precisely the way I loved to see equipment fielded. Too many "things" aboard to be able to have any weight capacity. Wayyy to large of a camper to have any cube capacity. That kinda thing always made me happy to be around a few trucks like that, when I wuz in the mix with a "work'in truck". No matter where I wuz in the FIFO count, it seemed the others jes couldn't handle the freight an..... well you know.


We carry 10,500 pds. Same as the big red Kenworth that didn't even have a tv or microwave. If owners want us to stay out for months at time it is nice to have amenities to make it easier to stay out.:eek:
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
I know, I know. And if yer happy, i'm tickled. But, I question the "if owners want us to stay out" thing. What is really wrong with "if WE want to stay out, we'd like the type of equipment to drive that would make it worthwhile".

Being able to carry 5 ton is minimal. When you can do 15 ton, then ya got some revenue.

If that is important in the grand scheme of things.
 

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
I know, I know. And if yer happy, i'm tickled. But, I question the "if owners want us to stay out" thing. What is really wrong with "if WE want to stay out, we'd like the type of equipment to drive that would make it worthwhile".

Being able to carry 5 ton is minimal. When you can do 15 ton, then ya got some revenue.

If that is important in the grand scheme of things.

Ok, I am going by what I hear complaints on. From what I understand owners want drivers (and if you look at the classifieds her on EO you will see a lot of them say "must be willing to stay out for 3 weeks" ect) is drivers that don't have to be home every week, who can and will stay out on the road for weeks and months at a time. This is a generalization. My husband and I were last out of service Dec 29. We likely (unless an un-forseen occasion arises) stay out until July when we will go on vacation for a couple of weeks. Doesn't bother us to stay out but there are drivers that want to go home every week and truck owners don't want that as it is not benificial to the drivers or the truck owner. I am just saying it is nice to be at home on the road.
I would love to have a tag axle on this truck, this is the only thing (well maybe a lift gate and reefer) I would change.
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
Those seem to be good tings to wish for considering the way you operate. Jes my observations over the years have shown me that of the countless numbers that have come and gone, the ones that are gone consistently typed about "comfort and miles" rather than efficiency and revenue. The ones that "learned" from a proactive and knowledgable mentor as a rule do very well. Me tink it takes way more than providing a comfy truck and on time pay to make a wunnerful fleet owner.
 

wellarmed

Not a Member
Well now, surround sound tv, mp3, sterio, full size bed, zink,w/water tank, LARGE fridge, microwave, lots of living space?? Sounds like a real money maker to me!!

That is precisely the way I loved to see equipment fielded. Too many "things" aboard to be able to have any weight capacity. Wayyy to large of a camper to have any cube capacity. That kinda thing always made me happy to be around a few trucks like that, when I wuz in the mix with a "work'in truck". No matter where I wuz in the FIFO count, it seemed the others jes couldn't handle the freight an..... well you know.

When your with the carrier that they are,you need all that for long layovers.
 

inkasnana

Expert Expediter
I'm glad to have a nice comfy sleeper. It's our "home" and we spend most of our time in it for weeks at a time, and no I don't mean just sitting waiting for a load. :p

We have a 19" LCD tv, DVD player, table with bench on each side that folds down and a full size bed w/inner spring mattress folds down on top of that. Microwave/Convection oven, large refrigerator with a separate freezer above that, sink with water, roof A/C unit, Webasto heater, closet and drawers, a nice big window on each side of the sleeper with blinds and room to move around. All of that in a 96" sleeper.

If I could change anything, it would be to have the upper bunk removed and cabinets put in instead. For us, the upper bunk is just wasted space. Next time we are home we are going to take out the upper bunk mattress so we have some more room to store things.

We have a 22' box and 2 axles. We have put our "safe" load weight limit at 10,500, though we can carry a bit more than that and still be within legal limits.
 

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
Those seem to be good tings to wish for considering the way you operate. Jes my observations over the years have shown me that of the countless numbers that have come and gone, the ones that are gone consistently typed about "comfort and miles" rather than efficiency and revenue. The ones that "learned" from a proactive and knowledgable mentor as a rule do very well. Me tink it takes way more than providing a comfy truck and on time pay to make a wunnerful fleet owner.

Well, I think we make a pretty good living considering the ecomony. As for as "come and gone", been here 3 years and have no intention of going anywhere, and having driven for a dishonest fleet owner that still owes us a rather large some of money I would say "on time pay" makes a very good fleet owner. Seems like maybe your jealous of him? Seem to me like you are one those individuals that seem to have a lot of negativity. I personally prefer positivity. Yep, say what ya want we're happy and are here to stay. aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh :D
 

Yesteryear

Expert Expediter
I'm glad to have a nice comfy sleeper. It's our "home" and we spend most of our time in it for weeks at a time, and no I don't mean just sitting waiting for a load. :p

We have a 19" LCD tv, DVD player, table with bench on each side that folds down and a full size bed w/inner spring mattress folds down on top of that. Microwave/Convection oven, large refrigerator with a separate freezer above that, sink with water, roof A/C unit, Webasto heater, closet and drawers, a nice big window on each side of the sleeper with blinds and room to move around. All of that in a 96" sleeper.

If I could change anything, it would be to have the upper bunk removed and cabinets put in instead. For us, the upper bunk is just wasted space. Next time we are home we are going to take out the upper bunk mattress so we have some more room to store things.

We have a 22' box and 2 axles. We have put our "safe" load weight limit at 10,500, though we can carry a bit more than that and still be within legal limits.


Friends of ours has one like yours. it is an awesomely nice truck. Ours is pretty much the same only it has tall cabinets instead of the upper bunk, and the air conditoner/ heater is not in the ceiling. Would actually prefer it like you in the ceiling as it would probably cool and heat better. But not complaining. Like ours too. :D
 

inkasnana

Expert Expediter
Friends of ours has one like yours. it is an awesomely nice truck. Ours is pretty much the same only it has tall cabinets instead of the upper bunk, and the air conditoner/ heater is not in the ceiling. Would actually prefer it like you in the ceiling as it would probably cool and heat better. But not complaining. Like ours too. :D

I would love to have the tall cabinets instead of the upper bunk. I've run out of space to store things. lol Our Webasto heater is under one of the side benches so it blows out near the floor which heats the whole sleeper in just a few minutes no matter cold it is outside. It is an awesome heater which uses very little fuel and the generator doesn't have to be running to use it.

The downside to the A/C unit is that the generator must be on to run it. We like to keep the generator on auto so that it only comes on when it's needed to recharge the batteries. That saves fuel. :)
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
Well, I think we make a pretty good living considering the ecomony. As for as "come and gone", been here 3 years and have no intention of going anywhere, and having driven for a dishonest fleet owner that still owes us a rather large some of money I would say "on time pay" makes a very good fleet owner. Seems like maybe your jealous of him? Seem to me like you are one those individuals that seem to have a lot of negativity. I personally prefer positivity. Yep, say what ya want we're happy and are here to stay. aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh :D

I wuz not in any way minimizing the importance of on time pay. Wuz always my rule. However, itis a bit hard to be jealous of anyone as I type to you from Lahaina, Maui and being a winter Hawaiian. Like I always say if yer happy i'm tickled with yer "toy truck".
 
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