Mercer Van Divison?
 

Any Info on the Van Division? Is it similar to Landstar division. i was told Mercer pays more % then Landstar. But that all I know...

Not a soul? Anyone home?

Based on posts I've read on other boards most guys over there that tried switching to vans said that the
money was much less than when they pulled flatbeds for the same company.

I don't think that Mercer has many vans. They mostly pull flats. If I were wanting to pull a van and lease to a carrier I would look at Landstar, Schneider or one of the other major van carriers. I don't believe that Mercer has very much van freight.

I was with Mercer a little over 2 years and most of their van freight is from brokers. They have few van shippers so you sit a lot and the pay isn't so great. I would go with LandStar since Schneider is too cheap and nit picking.

Dumb question here..............What is the advantage of leasing on to a carrier as opposed to getting your own authority and doing your own thing??

What's Landstar 72% and you still have to pay your own plates and insurance and fuel tax?

The advantage to leasing to a carrier is that most will have shippers and agents to keep you moving. Leasing to a carrier means that they pay all cargo and liability insurance. Most carriers will require you to pay for your own base plates, but may finance them for you so you only pay a small amount out of your weekly settlements. Leasing to a carrier such as Landstar is similar to running your own authority. You will still be responsible for finding your own loads and all the expenses of running your truck. Running your own authority offers you much more flexibility. You can get your own loads and find your own shippers or brokers. Rather than another carrier paying for the insurance you will be responsible for paying your cargo and liability insurance. You will need to front the money for your base plates since most states don't finance them for you. Getting your own base plates would likely result in paying less since some carriers will add a fee to the cost when they finance them for you.

If you have a good reserve fund, common sense and a head for business, you may be better off running your own authority. I think that for most, it is better for them to first lease to another carrier to get some experience on running a truck. Running your authority requires more initiative than leasing to a carrier. There is a little more paperwork, but not much. When you have your authority there is no safety net. Leasing to a carrier may enable you to have a backup should you have a major breakdown or get into a financial bind.

I prefer running my own authority. I do have friends who have given up their authority to lease to another carrier. It gives them a little more freedom from the paperwork.

Thanks for the Reply, I'm still in the process of checking on these two carriers Mercer and Landstar. Ran across a couple few weeks ago, who made Mercer Van division sound like the best apple on the tree, thats why I come here because I know, Most here will give it to you straight.

The only insurance you pay is comp. on your equipment , not cargo and liabilty.

Leasing to a top quality carrier gives you the chance to haul freight for customers than would never talk to a small or one truck company, they also don't allow their freight to be brokered. Go make a cold call on Lockheed Martin,Pratt and Whitney, GE,NASA or the auto makers. Good luck even finding the door, let alone getting your foot in it.

You may be surprise what some freight pays when your pay is based on what the customer pays, not what some broker is willing to give you. There are many drivers leased to carriers that do better than running under their own authority with a lot less hassels.
High value cargo insurance can be a problem for a one truck operation.

I pay for my own cargo insurance as a leased driver. Just sayin'.

There are no such thing...Well, it's very personal, but basically, if you don't mind extra head ache, and know what you are doing, you are going to do better with your own numbers money wise...but money is not everything...you know...

I have known some who did better leasing to a carrier rather than running under their own authority. The opportunity is certainly there to make more under your own numbers.

I just wanted to throw that question out there to see what the replies would be.

I have leased on to a small carrier and now running under my own numbers. My gross revenue is less now than when I was leased on but my net profit is more and I am running half the miles per week than I was before.

I have talked to some Landstar O/O's and the numbers they told me made me laugh. One told me his check was usually around $1400 a week after everything was taken out. I wouldn't start my truck for that amount.

Well, like i've said, it's not all about the money...Few years ago, the friend of mine, was making more money than 99% of folks with own #, would ever dream off. And he was leased to a company, but it just didn't suit me well, and i've passed on this opportunity. Everything is the compromise....

Pardon my ignorance on the matter, but why is that?

Just the deal I have in my contract. BIPD/Cargo. I also pay the usual like plates, IFTA, comprehensive/bobtail, workman's comp, etc,

You also have to rememebr that it is all about CHOICE..... maybe he wanted to stay local and not go more than 200 miles from home, maybe he just made bad load choices, maybe he only worked 2 days a week???

I was with Landstar for a while and I was able to bring home, after costs, $1500 a week and only work 6hrs a day and go home each night working Mon-Fri

I also was able to clear $3000 a week after costs while being gone for 2 weeks at a time and running all 48....

so it all comes down to choices. But either way, I wouldn't consider doing van work again. The rates are just entirely way too cheap and I can make twice the money, running just as much if not less miles pulling a flatbed or tanker. Just sayin'