The orange box trucks.
- Thread starter jayjay
- Start date
jayjay
Rookie Expediter
Exactly, the penske trucks. Do they go otr? I have been watching these trucks and I don't see room for a sleeper. Does the company put the drivers up in hotels, if they drive otr?
21cExp
Veteran Expediter
There are a slew of yellow ex Penske cube vans out there used by all sorts of businesses, including expediters.
It's generally thought, by those who see them regularly from Laredo to Livonia, that the ones being used by expediters are often running for cheap, much cheaper than most of us want to run, and often by foreign drivers willing to run that cheap for owners who know there are more new drivers waiting in the wings to replace those who can't hack it or that move on to better things.
Like a lot of new expediters they sleep on the floor of the cube, have simple setups, or sleep in the cab. If you're out here long enough using truck stops to park for naps, you're bound to be parked next to some sooner or later. Often quite nice guys, they're just trying to make a living like the rest of us and stumbled on running freight, many not knowing, or caring sometimes, that they are undercutting full-time O/O's. Some last only days or weeks, others get it and have moved on to smarter operations in vehicles of their own or for better owners.
One thing they have going for them is that the trucks--while owned by Penske and leased out as rental units or to fleets--were expertly maintained. Penske is fairly legendary for their fleet maintenance, from what I've heard, and they regularly rotate vehicles out of their pool once they reach a certain age or mileage.
This last bunch has been flooding the country, feels like, and I can't help but think that it's hurting the Penske brand now to have so many vehicles out there being so poorly thought of that are obviously former Penske trucks.
It's generally thought, by those who see them regularly from Laredo to Livonia, that the ones being used by expediters are often running for cheap, much cheaper than most of us want to run, and often by foreign drivers willing to run that cheap for owners who know there are more new drivers waiting in the wings to replace those who can't hack it or that move on to better things.
Like a lot of new expediters they sleep on the floor of the cube, have simple setups, or sleep in the cab. If you're out here long enough using truck stops to park for naps, you're bound to be parked next to some sooner or later. Often quite nice guys, they're just trying to make a living like the rest of us and stumbled on running freight, many not knowing, or caring sometimes, that they are undercutting full-time O/O's. Some last only days or weeks, others get it and have moved on to smarter operations in vehicles of their own or for better owners.
One thing they have going for them is that the trucks--while owned by Penske and leased out as rental units or to fleets--were expertly maintained. Penske is fairly legendary for their fleet maintenance, from what I've heard, and they regularly rotate vehicles out of their pool once they reach a certain age or mileage.
This last bunch has been flooding the country, feels like, and I can't help but think that it's hurting the Penske brand now to have so many vehicles out there being so poorly thought of that are obviously former Penske trucks.
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21cExp
Veteran Expediter
Oh I don't think that any of the unmarked yellow cube vans are still owned or leased out by Penske. I'd be really surprised if that we're the case. But they were all Penske trucks previously (former decal and logo placement is just too obvious) and have been rotated out, then bought at auction, you bet, sometimes in lots.
My diesel GMC (white ext body CV) was once a Penske fleet vehicle, leased to Netflix down south, though never had decals or logo for either company. I can vouch for the expert maintenance...it runs great and looks new.
jayjay
Rookie Expediter
They sleep on the floor?!? That doesn't sound too comfortable
. smh@ the fleet owners who take advantage of these people.
They are expediters, they have a sleeper inside the box, probably a removable one. The only advantage of using a box van is that you can put more freight, even more than a Sprinter, but as in gas consumption, it really sucks, they get about 10-12 mpg.
Are you sure on the 10-12 MPG? I rented one from ryder once and got 8 mpg from VA to FLA
21cExp
Veteran Expediter
They sleep on the floor?!? That doesn't sound too comfortable
Yep, some sleep on the floor with a mattress or even just sleeping bag, others have rigged up sleepers of sorts. I've seen guys in new Sprinters using a household twin mattress on the floor with no wall or floor insulation, and have seen CV'ers using lawnchair cushions and sleep on the floor. A lot of the yellow cube guys have never been on the road before so have no idea, so start off rough and improve as they go.
zorry
Veteran Expediter
8 mpg wouldn't leave much money for future maint.
Unless you had hidden compartments.
I met once a "non-believer", but he was driving a regular cv. My guess was that he never had the curiosity to see how a shower looks inside. As a bonus, he had an overweight dog in his van.
I spoke to several drivers and that's what they told me... I drove a rented box van few years ago, but that was in Germany, helping a friend of mine to move, so I didn't care about the fuel.
I used to sleep on the floor when I switched from 18 to 4 wheels. But for few days only. I was about to sell the van and get back on my truck. Then I remembered about log books, chicken houses and all that creepy stuff, and I bought a cot.
jayjay
Rookie Expediter
Wow! Sleeping inside of a box is not cool, especially in the summer. Doesn't seem worth it just to get a few pennnies.:thumbdown:
jayjay
Rookie Expediter
Ewww! I bet the aroma from the truck will blow a person away.
Oh, it isn't so bad once you get a large door propped open.