I was looking at getting a truck but wanted to get some info on possible companies to sign on with willing to do van, reefer, flatbed, or double drop.

Define "well". What experience do you have? Not everyone will hire you just because you have a truck.

the more specialized the trailer behind you the more you should make..........

Well I see some companies are only paying .87 and .89 a mile plus FSC but when I was running my brothers truck for him it was .91 plus FSC. I have been driving over 2 and a half years and have run van and double drop when I was hauling boats. What's the average $ per mile with FSC running van now with freight paying so bad? Any idea about flatbed average?

I have seen flat bed rates from $0.70-1.50/mile lately. Van rates are usually lower than flats.

van rates ive seen past few weeks 0.50-1.60 per mile......ALOT of people i talk to flatbed rates are worse or the same as van.......didnt like to hear that considering im hoping it will p/u so i can lease to mercer

I heard that Mercer has a freeze on putting on new owner operators.

yeah i know same thing i heard...i was approved but told the woman that i wanted to wait til it picks up.....then i heard last week they had put a freeze on hiring...i was approved around new years....

I like tha fact mercer is upfront with you. be honest instead of leasing you on & lie to ya & then starve ya out, or piss off others drivers who have been with them by giving newbies loads.

I have a friend who recently leased on to them. Although freight is slow with them he is getting by and seems to be happy with them. They are more restrictive than many other carriers. Most of their owner operators are more seasoned than you see at other carriers.