I’ve been doing a lot ,and a lot of research but I’m stuck on where to go, I’ve looked at Maverick, TMC, KLLM , CR England, and Prime but unsure what’s the “best” with great home time ,great trainers , & equipment.
I think I can help you.
First off stop yourself from trying to find the "best." I don't think there's anyway you can quantify what is the "best." That alone will clarify some of your confusion.
Second, don't concern yourself so much with the company. Focus on what type freight you think you want to haul. You mentioned an interest in Maverick and TMC. Those are both flatbed operations. You also mentioned KLLM, Prime, and C.R. England. Those are mostly refrigerated freight. Those are way different from flatbed. That's going to cause you confusion. Clarify what you want to try first. Commit to that for one year, and that will remove a great bit of your struggles.
Let's just say you decide to do flatbed. That narrows it down a lot. You're going to find a limited number of flatbed companies providing training. Look into them. You also will find some companies like Prime, Swift, or maybe Knight have a flatbed division along with other types of freight. You may want the option of moving to another type freight within the same company. If so focus on those companies that offer training and multiple divisions.
Don't get carried away with thinking you've got to find the best training. You will be sufficiently trained at almost any place you go. They may all be different, but they know what works for them. Schneider has very limited time they spend on new drivers. Prime spends months on training. Both companies have great records and get results. How can we determine which is best? We cant. Some drivers get sick of living in a truck with a stranger for months. Maybe Schneider is "best" for them. Some new drivers are slow to catch on. Maybe Prime is "best" for them.
The main thing you need is commitment and dedication. Those things will see you through your training. It's really all about you. It's not about the company. I know that's a novel idea, but it's the truth. Focus on your commitment. Make a choice and follow through. Your first year will be monumental. You will learn so much. It's trucking. There really isn't much difference from one company to the next.
You will determine your own success. Jump in the fray and get the ball rolling. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Old School = Words of wisdom.
Thank you for the insight I will do more research on what fright I wanna haul, I am very interested in flatbeding but also concerned about home time when I go solo , but I know I’m not gonna be home a lot like I would be driving local.
I’ve been doing a lot ,and a lot of research but I’m stuck on where to go, I’ve looked at Maverick, TMC, KLLM , CR England, and Prime but unsure what’s the “best” with great home time ,great trainers , & equipment.I think I can help you.
First off stop yourself from trying to find the "best." I don't think there's anyway you can quantify what is the "best." That alone will clarify some of your confusion.
Second, don't concern yourself so much with the company. Focus on what type freight you think you want to haul. You mentioned an interest in Maverick and TMC. Those are both flatbed operations. You also mentioned KLLM, Prime, and C.R. England. Those are mostly refrigerated freight. Those are way different from flatbed. That's going to cause you confusion. Clarify what you want to try first. Commit to that for one year, and that will remove a great bit of your struggles.
Let's just say you decide to do flatbed. That narrows it down a lot. You're going to find a limited number of flatbed companies providing training. Look into them. You also will find some companies like Prime, Swift, or maybe Knight have a flatbed division along with other types of freight. You may want the option of moving to another type freight within the same company. If so focus on those companies that offer training and multiple divisions.
Don't get carried away with thinking you've got to find the best training. You will be sufficiently trained at almost any place you go. They may all be different, but they know what works for them. Schneider has very limited time they spend on new drivers. Prime spends months on training. Both companies have great records and get results. How can we determine which is best? We cant. Some drivers get sick of living in a truck with a stranger for months. Maybe Schneider is "best" for them. Some new drivers are slow to catch on. Maybe Prime is "best" for them.
The main thing you need is commitment and dedication. Those things will see you through your training. It's really all about you. It's not about the company. I know that's a novel idea, but it's the truth. Focus on your commitment. Make a choice and follow through. Your first year will be monumental. You will learn so much. It's trucking. There really isn't much difference from one company to the next.
You will determine your own success. Jump in the fray and get the ball rolling. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Home time is something to think about and understand. Roehl offers many and more flexible hometime options.but you have to live in an area where those are available.
Out for 14 days home for 3.... Out for 7 days home for 7. Types of choices. However we had a driver here that did out for 7 home for 7 and never considered he wasn't getting paid for home time. At the end of his first year he only made $35k and came back bashing Roehl. Well .. duh you only worked six months out of the year had you worked a full year you would have gotten $70k the first year.
With me I wanted training and to bring my cat. I had no idea about APUs or inverters, freight or routes.... Just training money and my cat. Lol
Good luck.
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Yea home time is very important to me , I get I won’t be home everyday when in training etc. but i need to be home lol. Now the 7 days on 7 days off thing would great but I get the Issue too . I’ll definitely do more research before I go anywhere. Thank you
Home time is something to think about and understand. Roehl offers many and more flexible hometime options.but you have to live in an area where those are available.
Out for 14 days home for 3.... Out for 7 days home for 7. Types of choices. However we had a driver here that did out for 7 home for 7 and never considered he wasn't getting paid for home time. At the end of his first year he only made $35k and came back bashing Roehl. Well .. duh you only worked six months out of the year had you worked a full year you would have gotten $70k the first year.
With me I wanted training and to bring my cat. I had no idea about APUs or inverters, freight or routes.... Just training money and my cat. Lol
Good luck.
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Well, here's the one thing about hometime: You don't get paid when not driving. The more you're home, the less you make. Additionally, during your first year, you will already be inefficient. Taking time off before gaining experience will equal much less money in your pocket.
OTR is not a career path to be home much.
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Hey everyone,
So I need help, I want a new career in truck driving , I do also need my CDL & training or company paid training. I’ve been doing a lot ,and a lot of research but I’m stuck on where to go, I’ve looked at Maverick, TMC, KLLM , CR England, and Prime but unsure what’s the “best” with great home time ,great trainers , & equipment. Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks Matt
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: