Questions and answers for truckers

Marni

What do you think is a reasonable amount of money per mile (CPM) for a company driver with three years of over-the-road (OTR) and local experience?

10 comments

Comments

Aidan

01.15.2024

With your experience, 50-60 CPM sounds about right.

Gordon

12.30.2023

you oughta be pulling in at least 55 CPM. Don’t settle for peanuts when you’re hauling the big loads!

Clayton

10.23.2023

With three years under your belt, I’d say you should be looking at around 50-60 CPM

Magnus

03.31.2023

Ask for 85 or 90. Don't start too low

Krueger

03.31.2023

I work for a company that pays around 60 cents per mile for experienced drivers. It’s a good rate but the work can be tough sometimes.

Seamus

03.30.2023

+ I’ve been driving for three years and I make around 50 cents per mile. It’s not great but it’s better than what some other companies offer.

Levi

03.30.2023

I’ve heard of some companies paying up to 70 cents per mile for experienced drivers but I haven’t been able to find any that pay that much in my area.

Grayson

03.30.2023

75 CPM... I'd find another job if I couldn't find at least that

Barney

03.29.2023

I’ve been driving for five years and I make around 55 cents per mile. It’s not bad but I’m always looking for ways to make more money.

Eddie

03.29.2023

I'd be gunning for at least 63

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Commercial

Q&A

Roman

Seattle trucking

I’m considering relocating to Seattle with a year of experience in trucking. I also plan to get my tanker endorsement. How is the trucking industry there?

9 comments

Comments

Clayton

05.14.2024

That tanker endorsement will be your golden ticket

Haroon

10.06.2023

Rain or shine

Orlando

07.11.2023

Seattle’s truckin’ scene is as busy as a beehive

Moon

03.30.2023

Tanker endorsement might help you get some better-paying gigs, but it also comes with more risk and responsibility. Seattle is a beautiful place, but not for trucking.

Epic

03.29.2023

Tanker endorsement is a plus, especially if you can haul hazmat. Just be prepared for some steep hills and tight turns in the city.

Hello

03.29.2023

I wouldn’t recommend Seattle trucking unless you have a lot of patience and a good GPS. The traffic is horrible, the roads are narrow and congested, and the drivers are rude and reckless.

Mike

03.29.2023

Seattle trucking is not bad, but not great either. It depends on what kind of work you’re looking for and how flexible you are. Tanker endorsement is a good idea, as there are some opportunities for hauling fuel, chemicals, or milk. But you also have to deal with the weather, the traffic, and the regulations. Seattle is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.

Leroy

03.28.2023

+ Seattle trucking is pretty good if you don’t mind the traffic and the rain.

HFUER

03.28.2023

There are plenty of local and regional jobs that pay well and have decent benefits.

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Commercial

Q&A

Max

Truck Owners and Business Credit

Are truck owners who are also business owners focused on building up their business credit, or are they using their personal credit to make business-related purchases?

8 comments

Comments

Haroon

04.11.2024

A lot of us are trying to build business credit. It’s better for the long haul and keeps personal credit clean

Josef

09.22.2023

Keep the personal stuff separate and it helps the business grow

Grayson

08.16.2023

Most of the guys I know are working on building up their business credit.

Pascal

03.29.2023

I’ve been using my personal credit for years, but I’m starting to realize that it’s not sustainable in the long run. I’m planning to start building business credit soon.

Alastair Glover

03.28.2023

I’m focused on building my business credit so that I can get better access to funding and higher credit limits.

Lepe

03.28.2023

I think it’s important to build business credit because it can help you establish credibility with lenders and vendors.

Jordan

03.28.2023

I think it’s important to have a mix of personal and business credit because it can help you get better rates and terms on loans.

Daniels

03.27.2023

+ I use my personal credit for business-related purchases because I don’t have a business credit card yet.

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Commercial

Q&A

Elias

Knight and Swift merge

Did Knight buy all the small trucking companies that Swift owned when it acquired Swift, or did it only buy Swift?

8 comments

Comments

Justin

04.02.2023

They also bought all the Swift drivers, all the Swift trucks, all the Swift trailers, and all the Swift accidents. They basically bought a giant pile of crap and put a Knight sticker on it.

Josef

03.25.2023

Knight bought all the subsidiaries of Swift, including Central Refrigerated, Barr-Nunn, and Abilene Motor Express.

Daniels

03.24.2023

+ Knight and Swift did not buy each other, they merged into a new company called Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. They announced an agreement under which Knight-Swift will acquire U.S. Xpress for a total enterprise value of approximately $808 million

Fred

03.24.2023

Knight only bought Swift Transportation, not the other companies that Swift owned. Those companies are still operating independently under their own names.

Grayson

03.24.2023

Monopoly

Pascal

03.24.2023

They agreed to a combination transaction after which their respective businesses will be operated separately under a single combined company

Addie

03.23.2023

Knight and Swift merged into one company called Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings. They still own all the smaller trucking companies that Swift had before, but they operate under the Knight-Swift umbrella.

Eddie

03.23.2023

The merger of Knight and Swift created a new company called Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.

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Commercial

Q&A

Mari

Fleet Trucks

I have always been curious about this. When you work for a fleet that has different types of trucks, do you get to pick the one you like? Or do you have to take whatever they give you?

11 comments

Comments

Johnathan

04.23.2024

Usually, you don’t get much say in the matter

Elias

11.12.2023

It’s like a deck of cards, you get dealt what they hand you. But play your cards right, and you might just get to pick your ride.

Tamsin

07.07.2023

In most fleets, they assign you a rig based on the needs of the job.

Declan

04.09.2023

You get to pick the truck you like, but only if you bribe the dispatcher.

Mck

03.30.2023

Some fleets assign you a truck

Iestyn

03.24.2023

I got what I got. No complaints, just an honest answer.

Iqra

03.23.2023

The company assigns me a truck based on the type of job and the route I have to take.

Aidan

03.23.2023

I have to take whatever they give me, but I don’t mind. As long as the truck is reliable, safe and comfortable, I’m happy. I don’t care much about the brand or the model

Grayson

03.23.2023

I work for a company that has a large fleet of trucks from different brands and models. I get to pick the one I like based on availability and preference.

Josef

03.22.2023

+ It depends on the company and the availability of trucks. Some companies may let you choose from a range of options, while others may assign you a specific truck based on your seniority, performance or location

Benito

03.22.2023

Usually, you get what you get. And they’ll randomly swap you out if it when they want.

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Commercial

Q&A

Mari

Step deck lift for docks

I saw a lays driver back a step deck into a dock. How do they load and unload it? He used jacks between the tandems to raise the trailer. Do any flatbeds have that?

9 comments

Comments

Elias

03.10.2024

Not all flatbeds have them, but they’re worth

Denzel

12.05.2023

Yeah, those jacks are a back saver

Alastair Glover

11.14.2023

Some step decks come with built-in lift systems

Haroon

04.10.2023

It’s mostly for step decks and torture devices.

Aidan

03.22.2023

They usually load and unload with other equipment like forklifts or cranes.

Grayson

03.22.2023

Idk about the rest of them but I have docks with a ramp near the back so my step deck is level with the dock.

Josef

03.21.2023

+ That’s a rare sight. Most step decks don’t have jacks to lift them. They usually load and unload with forklifts or cranes. Some flatbeds have jacks too, but they are not very common either. They are mostly used for heavy or oversized loads that need to be level with the dock.

Fred

03.20.2023

That’s an unusual thing to see. Most step decks don’t have jacks to lift them up.

Eddie

03.20.2023

They use jacks to raise the trailer to the dock height. It makes loading and unloading easier and faster. Some flatbeds have them too, but they are not very popular. They are mainly used for hauling heavy or wide loads that need to be aligned with the dock.

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Commercial

Q&A

Tomas

50 or 53 step deck

I've always wondered but never asked. Why are there 50 footers and 53 footers? Im guessing bridge laws in different states?

11 comments

Comments

Marni

04.07.2024

Some states got restrictions that make the 50-foot step deck the right tool for the job.

Mandeep

10.23.2023

It’s all about the load and the road, my friend

Keanu

07.17.2023

the 50-footers are kinda like the old school rigs, you know?

Fleur

04.16.2023

50 footers are for rookies who can’t handle the extra 3 feet of swing. 53 footers are for real drivers who know how to back up and maneuver in tight spots.😎

Magnus

04.03.2023

It’s all about the load capacity and weight distribution. 53 footers can haul more freight and balance it better over the axles. 50 footers are for lighter loads and shorter runs.🚚

Krueger

03.22.2023

Depends on a lot of factors, 50 feet are lighter and easier to maneuver, 53 feet hold more cargo and have many more configuration options.

Grayson

03.21.2023

I don’t care about the length as long as it meets my customer’s needs and complies with the bridge laws. I just make sure to check the weight and dimensions of my load and adjust my axle spacing accordingly.

Iqra

03.20.2023

It could always be how much upper deck or lower deck space you want.

Josef

03.20.2023

I prefer a 50 footer because it gives me more flexibility in loading different types of cargo. It also helps me avoid some bridge law issues in certain states where the maximum length allowed is 50 feet.

Denzel

03.20.2023

53 footer. It helps me avoid some oversize permits in certain states where the maximum height allowed is 13.5 feet on a 53 foot trailer.

Daniels

03.19.2023

+ The difference between these two lengths may affect the weight distribution and the bridge laws compliance of the trailer.

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Commercial

Q&A

Seamus

What ELD do you use?

Just being curious, What ELD do you use?

10 comments

Comments

Declan

01.23.2024

Got myself the RoadLog Office Solo. No monthly fees and it does the job

Tamsin

01.17.2024

I roll with the BigRoad DashLink

Josef

08.12.2023

KeepTruckin ELD. Easy to install, and the support team’s always there

Max

04.06.2023

I use the one that came with my truck. It’s a piece of crap but it gets the job done. Sometimes I wish I could just throw it out the window and go back to paper logs.

Mike

03.26.2023

KeepTruckin. It’s easy to use and has a lot of features. I like that I can edit my logs and send them to my dispatcher. Plus, their customer service is pretty good.

Alastair Glover

03.17.2023

Paper

Pascal

03.17.2023

KeepTruckin. With IFTA reporting. Easy to use.

Daniels

03.16.2023

+ Garmin eLog1: This device plugs into the vehicle’s port and syncs with a smartphone app.

Fred

03.16.2023

Motive ELD (formerly KeepTruckin)

Lepe

03.16.2023

Samsara plug-and-play solution that works with any commercial vehicle.

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Commercial

Q&A

Leroy

Trucks home with you?

do yall take the trucks home with you?

12 comments

Comments

Duke

05.10.2024

Beats having to mow the lawn every week!

Clayton

12.26.2023

Yep, home sweet rolling home

Declan

07.16.2023

Sure do! Saves on rent, but you gotta watch out for low bridges

Hello

04.06.2023

Hell yeah, I take the truck home with me. It’s my baby. I sleep in it, eat in it, watch TV in it, etc. I don’t even have a house. I just park the truck wherever I want and call it home. The only problem is that the ladies don’t seem to dig it.

GGG

03.30.2023

Yeah, I take the truck home with me. It’s nice to have it in the driveway. Makes the neighbors jealous. Plus I can work on it whenever I want. The only downside is that it takes up a lot of space and sometimes I have to park it on the street.

Denzel

03.17.2023

It depends on the situation. Sometimes I take my truck home with me if I have enough time and space to do so. Other times I leave my truck at a yard or a lot if it’s more convenient or cheaper.

Eddie

03.17.2023

I did a couple times at my old job when things were getting real busy

Josef

03.16.2023

+ Yes, I do take my truck home with me. I’m a local driver and I have a big driveway where I can park my truck safely.

Fred

03.16.2023

I’m an over-the-road driver and I don’t have a permanent place to live. I usually park my truck at a terminal or a rest area when I’m off duty.

Grayson

03.16.2023

My truck is my home. Haven't had a home in like 5 years.

Aidan

03.15.2023

You gotta check your city laws regarding commercial truck parking and even noise laws

Iqra

03.15.2023

Couldn't even if I wanted to.

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Commercial

Q&A

Duncan

Tandem Placement

Does tandem placement actually affect how the truck pulls hills?

10 comments

Comments

Barney

03.27.2024

Like a seesaw at a playground, find balance

Ayden

01.25.2024

Too far back and you’re dragging, too far forward and you’re straining. Gotta find that sweet spot.

Orlando

11.16.2023

You bet it does. Get those tandems set right, and you’ll climb hills smoother

Barney

04.06.2023

The steeper the hill, the more power and torque the truck needs to climb it. Tandem placement affects the amount of traction and friction the truck has on the road. Moving the tandems forward increases the weight on the drive axles, which improves traction and stability, but also increases rolling resistance and fuel consumption.

Levi

03.23.2023

I just let the wind blow me where it wants. Sometimes I end up on top of the hill, sometimes I end up at the bottom. It’s all good. Life is an adventure.

Thomas D.

03.16.2023

+ Yes, it does affect how the truck pulls hills, but not by much. The more important thing is to have a good engine and transmission that can handle the load.

GGG

03.15.2023

Yes it can.

Rony

03.14.2023

The only thing that matters is how fast you’re going and what gear you’re in.

Mike

03.14.2023

It depends on how steep and long the hill is, and how heavy your load is. Sometimes moving your tandems forward or backward can make a difference in how much power you need to climb or descend.

RoadMan

03.14.2023

You get better fuel economy, less stress on the motor, and thus easier uphill climbs if the trucks is carrying the weight rather than pulling the weight.

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Commercial

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