Mercer Transportation info ?
 

I'm looking to lease my truck on with Mercer after the first of the year.I have talked to a few O/Os with Mercer , they say their doing $1.60 average. Now I don't have a problem running and staying out weeks on end. Is there anything I have to look out for with these guys ? Any info is much appreciated.

Mercer is a good company. Most owner operators with whom I have spoken over the years seem to like them. I don't know how well they are doing money wise.

i've always heard good news about mercer. i know they have a lot of military contracts.

Thanks GMAN.
That's what I keep hearing and in todays world sounds a little to good true. They sure have alot of freight on their broad.
I'm just starting out , so I'm I better off getting a 48X102 steel flat or a 48X96 aluminum trailer?
Hoping to find one in the $6500 to $10,000 range. Any thoughts ?

Thanks Heavyhaulerss.
One owner operator told me about the military contracts.He said you have to have a good track record with the company before you get any.
Whats your view on the steel / aluminum trailers ?
Thanks again.

wel as far as trailers... if going with mercer.. i would try to go with aluminum. you could then haul more weight. 96 or 102 really dont matter. though i like the 102. i dont have one, but they are easier to walk around & tie stuff down. ive never had a load that i couldnt take because of not haveing a 102''. the only problem with alum is reitinour is about the best. but they are expensive. within the 6-10 grand range, your going to be lucky to find a decent steel trailer. i bout a 94 transcraft in 99' i'm still pulling it. i paid $9,500 for it. i had to do very little to it. & very little welding. if i went with a alum though i would not go with anything but a retinour. good luck.

Talk to a number of their drivers.
 

If you want to look at any one else I would recomend my company.
Sammons Trucking.
Call 800-548-9276.
Ask for Robin and she'll explain what we have.
It will give you good grounds to compare.

Re: Talk to a number of their drivers.
 

Mercer...Sammons..Jones Motor...Landstar...all fairly similar operations ..all decent.

I've always thought Maverick's prices on their used trailers weren't too bad. I don't see any Reitnour's on the website, but you keep an eye on it for a while. They are sure to turn up. The East trailers are good trailers, but the only one's their showing currently are 45'. Here's their website:

http://www.mavericktruckandtrailersa...Inventory.html

I doubt that you will find a good aluminum trailer within that price range. Used trailers have gotten a bit more expensive the last couple of years with the higher cost of aluminum and steel. A friend of mine recently bought a 45' x 96" aluminum trailer for around $12,000. I would expect to pay as much as $10-12,000 for a good used steel trailer. With patience, you might find something on the lower end of your figures. There are advantages to both types of trailers, but I prefer steel. You can haul more weight on an aluminum trailer, but I think steel holds up better.

Someone over at getloaded.com is throwing in the towel and selling a 48x102 Transcraft Eagle combo flat for $16,000. 1999 IIRC. If that's in your range, I'll get a number.

They are in NJ.

I'm leased on with Mercer. Did alot of homework on the company before going with them and talked to every Mercer driver I could. All of the Mercer guys were very happy and answered all of my questions plus gave pointers as well as do's and don'ts. Most of them have been with Mercer 10plus years and a few have over 20 years with Mercer.
I leased on in April after doing the company driver thing with Melton. I am very happy and my average cpm is $1.64 (that's to the truck not gross like some companies like to quote). I was really leaning toward Landstar (flatbed) but ran into too many disgruntled LS owner ops. We had 3 in our orientation and they said more were on their way over. As far as military freight goes, many companies haul that freight. Most of it doesn't pay very well. I am retired military and there are quite a few veterans at Mercer. By the way, the load board on the website is freight Mercer drivers have passed on and is available to everyone.
Not trying to sell you. Just letting you know I'm very happy and this is where I plan on staying. Talk to drivers one on one and go with your gut feeling. I'm happy to answer any and all of your questions.

If you plan on hauling much military freight, some require steel and wood floors. If you have an aluminum deck they won't load you. There are a few other companies who won't load aluminum decks. Most of the time it doesn't make any difference. If you plan on hauling a lot of steel, then aluminum might be the way to go since you are usually paid on the hundred weight. The more you can haul, the most money you will make. When you look at the type of trailer you are going to buy, you need to decide what you plan on hauling. I have found the wood and steel to be very versatile. You will pay more for aluminum.

I have a all steel trailer with a wood floor, paid 12.5(new) for it, good solid trailor only problem I have with it is the weight. I can only haul 48000, but for the price and durabilty it was a good deal.

When you sign on lease one of their trailers. When you figure out how they run and what works best for you then buy a trailer. At that point it won't be speculation you'll know.

Thanks good info. I'm looking at the 48X96 and I'm thinking the best time to buy is Dec/ Feb .Last year alot of flats where up for sell and due to the houseing slow down this year it my be the right time to buy.Hope to get the most bang for my buck LOL.

Re: Talk to a number of their drivers.
 

Thanks I'll have a look at them.

Re: Talk to a number of their drivers.
 

Thanks, I just run into and have talked to more Mercer O/Os. But I'll have a look.

I doubt that you will find a good aluminum trailer within that price range. Used trailers have gotten a bit more expensive the last couple of years with the higher cost of aluminum and steel. A friend of mine recently bought a 45' x 96" aluminum trailer for around $12,000. I would expect to pay as much as $10-12,000 for a good used steel trailer. With patience, you might find something on the lower end of your figures. There are advantages to both types of trailers, but I prefer steel. You can haul more weight on an aluminum trailer, but I think steel holds up better.[/quote]
I'm thinking the same thing. Found this one in the truck paper: 2000 TRANSCRAFT EAGLE II COMBO 48' x 96" , Air Ride Suspension,
Combination Composition, 24.5 Tires, All Steel Wheels,
Fixed Spread Tandem Axle, Aluminum Floor $10.500.
When I buy I'll offer lower (I can always come up)I like it because,My truck has 24.5s (one spare fits all) The steel holds up better like you said and the ease of a aluminum deck.I'll be running east of the rockies,so will the fixed spread will work? What are your thoughts ?

[quote="Fu Manchu Express"]I'm leased on with Mercer. Did alot of homework on the company before going with them and talked to every Mercer driver I could. All of the Mercer guys were very happy and answered all of my questions plus gave pointers as well as do's and don'ts. Most of them have been with Mercer 10plus years and a few have over 20 years with Mercer.
I leased on in April after doing the company driver thing with Melton. I am very happy and my average cpm is $1.64 (that's to the truck not gross like some companies like to quote). I was really leaning toward Landstar (flatbed) but ran into too many disgruntled LS owner ops. We had 3 in our orientation and they said more were on their way over. As far as military freight goes, many companies haul that freight. Most of it doesn't pay very well. I am retired military and there are quite a few veterans at Mercer. By the way, the load board on the website is freight Mercer drivers have passed on and is available to everyone.
Not trying to sell you. Just letting you know I'm very happy and this is where I plan on staying. Talk to drivers one on one and go with your gut feeling. I'm happy to answer any and all of your questions.[/quote

I know what you mean, I've been doing alot of homework too. Mercer just keeps coming back to the top of the list. I did talk to one Mercer diver what was not to happy,but he did not have a lap top and said he was getting one.
So commomonsence is telling me to run with them one should have a laptop and be hooked up with the e-net. Are you?
I also have got to start asking about the do's and don'ts,damn did not think of that. Thanks

Signing on at this time of year could be tough.From now untill around March things really get slow.Being from the North you will make out better then a lot of guys we have that are scared of snow and cold.
Mercer has treated me ok but... they are most definetly not what they used to be.They used to be concerned about making the truck money and now they are worried about making them money and moving a lot of cheap freight and really pinching pennies.Like the rest of the industry Mercers highering standards have been lowered to a level that sickens me.Compared to what else there is out there they are a good outfit but,they are not for everyone.
Let me warn you on a couple things first, don't get into that lease deal they have on trailers get your own,{I would make it a 102 wide,96's are a thing of the past}L/P deals of any kind is never a good deal for an O/O in my opinion.Second,for the most part military freight is among the cheapest stuff you can haul and I stay away from it whenever possible.Every once in a blue moon a good rate comes up on a military load but,it almost never happens.Third,for the most part if the load is heavy and requires a tarp the rate is going to be low,it doesn't make a lot of sense but,the lighter the freight the higher the rate????
They are a non forced dispatch and you can be real indedpendent and reject any load you don't want to do and they wont care a bit like some other companies might.This can also be a bad thing because some people can be independent all the way to the poor house.

[quote="mudawg"]Signing on at this time of year could be tough.From now untill around March things really get slow.Being from the North you will make out better then a lot of guys we have that are scared of snow and cold.
Mercer has treated me ok but... they are most definetly not what they used to be.They used to be concerned about making the truck money and now they are worried about making them money and moving a lot of cheap freight and really pinching pennies.Like the rest of the industry Mercers highering standards have been lowered to a level that sickens me.Compared to what else there is out there they are a good outfit but,they are not for everyone.
Let me warn you on a couple things first, don't get into that lease deal they have on trailers get your own,{I would make it a 102 wide,96's are a thing of the past}L/P deals of any kind is never a good deal for an O/O in my opinion.Second,for the most part military freight is among the cheapest stuff you can haul and I stay away from it whenever possible.Every once in a blue moon a good rate comes up on a military load but,it almost never happens.Third,for the most part if the load is heavy and requires a tarp the rate is going to be low,it doesn't make a lot of sense but,the lighter the freight the higher the rate????
They are a non forced dispatch and you can be real indedpendent and reject any load you don't want to do and they wont care a bit like some other companies might.This can also be a bad thing because some people can be independent all the way to the poor house.[/quote

Thanks Mudawg.
So I'll wait untill Feb/Mar before I sign on.I hope to get a good deal on a Flatbed this winter.I just want to keep moving "loaded" once I put the truck on the road and I have no problem running loads as long as they pay right.

I'm thinking the same thing. Found this one in the truck paper: 2000 TRANSCRAFT EAGLE II COMBO 48' x 96" , Air Ride Suspension,
Combination Composition, 24.5 Tires, All Steel Wheels,
Fixed Spread Tandem Axle, Aluminum Floor $10.500.
When I buy I'll offer lower (I can always come up)I like it because,My truck has 24.5s (one spare fits all) The steel holds up better like you said and the ease of a aluminum deck.I'll be running east of the rockies,so will the fixed spread will work? What are your thoughts ?[/quote]


The fixed spread works just fine. I suggest you have a dump valve installed if one isn't already on the trailer. It will save you a lot of money in replacing tires. A spread axle will go through a lot of tires unless yo have a dump valve. The aluminum deck tends to get rather slippery in bad weather.

JokerPop, Yes sir I have a laptop but I don't use it to find loads. My load coordinator is very good at keeping me busy for great rates and I run hard. I like to work, not sit (I know-not normal huh?). Anyway, I use my laptop to keep an eye on the weather/road conditions and for directions to my destinations. I have an air card and can surf the net whenever plus I like to write short stories for my family and that keeps me entertained. The laptop computer is definitely a great investment for the OTR trucker. I'm home now during my kids break and we leave for Disneyland tomorrow. Have fun and let me know if you have further questions about Mercer.

I'll be running east of the rockies,so will the fixed spread will work? What are your thoughts ?[/quote]


The fixed spread works just fine. I suggest you have a dump valve installed if one isn't already on the trailer. It will save you a lot of money in replacing tires. A spread axle will go through a lot of tires unless yo have a dump valve. The aluminum deck tends to get rather slippery in bad weather.[/quote]

Thanks Gman.
Dump Valve ,very good point. I hate wasting $$$$ on tires. I owe you.
Thanks

Cool enjoy Disneyland and your family. You said something about in's and out's ,I'd like to know about them. Right now I'm doing Pneumatics,Bulk sand. South Jersey to Ct every day. About 2500 miles a week . I now know where most of the pot holes are on the GW and Cross Bronx Expy... LOL . I don't see any Mercer trucks up here and that's a good thing, looking forward to getting out of the North-East.
Be Safe and enjoy your Family time

JokerPop, "ins" and "outs" are learning the system and finding out areas you like to run and make money at. I've spent most of the summer and fall running 11 western states making good money. Mercer asked me at orientation if I'd run western states while it's hot because they usually have more freight than trucks so I said "of course!". I figure I'll run midwest and northern states this winter because most old timers will be running I-10 and staying warm. I'm only 44 and don't mind getting cold and running hard. We'll see how that goes.
This week I left Monday afternoon (from Tucson) to pick up a load of stone in Flagstaff Tuesday going to Steamboat Springs,CO ($1.86 mile to the truck). Delivered yesterday morning, deadheaded to Denver, loaded concrete forms for jobsite in Tucson delivering in morning ($1.49 mile to the truck). Not a bad rate for getting out of Denver ( another in and out hint) as Salt Lake City and Denver are hard areas to get good paying flatbed freight out of. Loads heading west pay alot better than eastbound loads. Another Mercer driver loaded with me at rock place in Flagstaff and he was getting $1.25 to truck per mile going to New Jersey. I've seen that alot this summer. That's why I stuck around western states while it was hot. Been told this will reverse itself during winter. Okay by me!
I'll pickup another load tomorrow and head wherever the money is. I'll keep you posted. You can PM me if you want with questions. Just ask and I'll help however I can. Have fun!

I was leased to Mercer and for the first 2 years it was real good but then it started to slide down-hill big time. Every-one has their up's n downs but I would'nt go back to them again . I was leased to Green tree Trans for 4 years and it kept on getting better n better. Their number is 800-233-3262 talk to Charlene in the Safety Dept. Tell her Dan Kupke sent you. I would'nt have quit but I wanted to come over here n help with this war effort . I'LL be working with them again in the future.

What made it go downhill? Every company has ups and downs and finding one that fits you is what it's all about I reckon. Be interested to know your feelings ash_ca_la. Thanks

Hello Fu Manchu Express

Back when I was with Mercer your "Load Coridinator" ( Dispatcher) either made you or would break you. The one I had the first 2 years was really good but he got his-self in trouble and fired and I ended up with a different 1. Now they tell you that you can switch Dispatchers but then that leads to one of them telling the other one that your hard to please n difficult to load. This new one was his first time being a dispatcher and it just did'nt work and by the time I realized this I had allready started to slide down-hill with them. It only got worse when I changed dispatchers so I just quit n moved on .

Hey ash_ca_la, Thanks for the reply. I've got a good coordinator and life is good. I know every company has it's pros and cons and I'm really happy with Mercer. I love flatbedding and doing my own thing so it's a good fit. I sincerely hope life is good on your end. Have fun!

Thanks for getting back to me. I see that too,you have to run where others do want to. I'm looking forward to getting out of the northeast,but the $$$$s good and looking at better trailers. What do you have?

Not a problem "Fu Manchu Express" I did'nt mean to throw a wet blanket on Mercer. I enjoyed my time there and they were basicly good to me . If I would'nt have lost that 1st cordinator things would have probably been different.

Are they still downtown in Louisville ??? Do they broker loads ??

I really like this forum . Everyone is calm n they all get along. I'm on OOIDA's forum n we have some real clowns on there !!!

ash_ca_la, yeah Mercer is still downtown Louisville and still broker loads. They've got 2 city blocks and getting ready to make it 3 is what we were told at orientation. I'm still happy and you're right, this is a great forum and I've learned alot here.

JokerPop, I'm running a 2007 Utility 48' x 102" combo flatbed trailer that I bought new in Tulsa when I was buying my 2003 KW T-600. Really like it and glad I bought new. You having any luck in your trailer quest?

i appreciate reading and learning from you guys. does anyone know why some times i get an "invalid session" error while trying to post? lol i'm still listed as "rookie"

I know this off the topic but how do you get these pictures of you truck on here ??? I have a picture of my Pete that I would like to post that is allready on my computer in my yahoo files but don't understand how to get it here ??

go to your "profile" . down at the bottom and insert the path to one of your pictures on your computer in the "browse" window of the avatar

JokerPop, I'm running a 2007 Utility 48' x 102" combo flatbed trailer that I bought new in Tulsa when I was buying my 2003 KW T-600. Really like it and glad I bought new. You having any luck in your trailer quest?

Good to hear from you Fu Manchu Express.
As for right now,I'm running South Jersey to Bethany Ct. 6 Days aweek and banking the money. As for the trailer quest, I have been looking at alot and feel prices will come down after the snow starts to Fly. I looked at one Sunday a 1999 48X102 air ride combo with tarps ( 8ft drops) He's at 8500,I'm at 7500. I have 3 more I'm looking at this weekend.
Alot of flatbeders are crying around here.
Is Mercer keeping you running ?

I've had the same thing happen and some times I can't get on the site.I don't know why it just happens some times.

How are you making out ? Are they keeping you loaded ?