crst flatbed divison

[germanbmwfreak]

so i scratched the big atlas deal off the page. so i have looked at plenty of companies and honestly crst looks like the best, so i think. lets see what you think.

they offer $500 orientation pay (done here locally where i live) , 75% off 100% they said their avg load pays 1.79 a mile, 100% fuel surcharge, 100% of whatever they bill the customer for tarping, detention, etc. no forced dispatch i come home when i want too. they pay 2x week and they dont require me to have a qualcomm but they have it if i want it. they have fuel discounts they seem too high for me but let me know what you think. .45 a gallon at pilot, .02 at t/a's, .10 at loves, and i forget what petro was. .45 a gallon seems too high to be true but is there companies who give that big of a discount? they charge $165 a week for trailer rental and they will maintain it. but question is how much do you guys figure it costs to have a trailer a week including wear and tear. i have heard good and bad about crst but i even told that to the recuriter and he said that if i wont make it their its my fault he said there are plenty of loads out there. i know i know they all say that but i have heard plenty of drivers say that they make good money there but i have also heard guys say they aint. so just thought i would post this and hear what you guys have to say about it.

[Rev.Vassago]

From what I remember, CRST Malone requires 2 years of flatbed experience. I had some literature from them from MATS last year, but it has long since been thrown away.


And is the $1.79 per mile after the percentage, or before? Because 75% of $1.79 is only $1.34, which isn't that good for an AVERAGE load.

[Jack5]

That's over 7900 a year for just renting their trailer :yikes: . You can find one for sale for even less than that. Crst has been known to have a more-than-average turnover rate before. Even if 1.79 is their average there can be loads that are much cheaper. 75% of that and when you figure in the cost of renting the trailer doesn't really sound like a good deal. I found 2 other companies: Jones motor company,and Wiseway motor freight.Ill see if I can come up with more info. later.

[germanbmwfreak]

yeah i know alot of people on the van side arnt happy but everyone i have talked to on the flatbed side is happy. and revv they only reqire 6 months flat bed experince.

[germanbmwfreak]

well 1.79 is their average load cost and i get the percantage of that. i feel that is better than .90 cents a mile with a other company. i am still looking though. i have my eye on jones motor group they sound interesting and i am waiting a call back. what do you guys think it costs you per week for tires, repairs, trailer payment? so if i went to crst should i buy my own trailer or rent theirs?

[Jack5]

IF you're interested in hauling flatbed I would look at buying a trailer. They have some for sale much cheaper than it costs to rent one.especially around Ia and IL. My cousin bought a flatbed trailer in IL. for just under 5k. Flatbed and drybox trailers don't cost that much to maintain. Refrigerated trailers can cost much more if the unit breaks down. The cost of a new tire for either the truck or trailer can be around 300.00 if Crst has a national discount program. Without the discount program they can be over 400.00. I would check out Jones motor group first before jumping into Crst. Good luck.

[germanbmwfreak]

yeah i am looking to see what jones motor group has to say. they didnt show the pay scale. i havent decided on a company i will keep looking at select the best option for it.

[magicman]

Take a real hard look at Landstar. They might be just the ticket for you. You can have your own trailer or lease one of theirs. The rates are quit a bit higher than most others. If you're interested, I can get with you and let you see the online loadboard, which shows the rate and extras paid.

Shoot me a PM and I'll make arrangements with you to hook up. I go through the Quad Cities three to four times a week. I'll be going through on Sunday.

Dave

[wombat]

I lease on with CRST/ Malone and I make good money and I like it there.

I also have a flatbed for sale 6,500.00 OBO it will be posted on the classifieds section if Admin can figure out why it wont let me post it there at the present time.

[Big_Dave]

I lease on with CRST/ Malone and I make good money and I like it there.

I also have a flatbed for sale 6,500.00 OBO it will be posted on the classifieds section if Admin can figure out why it wont let me post it there at the present time.
If you pop over to the Owner Operator Forums, Wombats trailer is posted there for the time being. ;)

[germanbmwfreak]

yeah i saw the trailer posted for sale still weighing my options i am going to check out landstar tommorow with magicman he is coming thru davenport and were gonna have breakfest and check it out. anyone else who comes thru the quad cities area just let me know and ill buy a meal for good solid info.

thanks, '

nick

[Uturn2001]

yeah i am looking to see what jones motor group has to say. they didnt show the pay scale. i havent decided on a company i will keep looking at select the best option for it.

From my understanding Jones is an agent based carrier much like landstar, at least as far as O/O go.

[germanbmwfreak]

what is the difference between ad agent based carrier or a regular carrier?

[Jack5]

The difference is with ad-agent based carriers you have to look at the load boards and find your own loads. With regular carriers you have dispatchers that assign you loads. With most carriers if you are an O/O
you can refuse the load the dispatcher assigns you and if it's a good company they'll offer you several more loads to choose from. Some would rather find loads on their own while others don't want to go thru the hassle. Finding loads is not always easy. Hope this helps.

[Arresting_Quack]

well 1.79 is their average load cost and i get the percantage of that. i feel that is better than .90 cents a mile with a other company. i am still looking though.

If the .90 cents a mile is for all miles it wouldn't be much different from 75% of $1.79 ($1.41) for loaded miles. .51 cents a mile may seem like alot. However, if the .90 is for all miles (loaded and empty) I don't think there would be much difference. Also, does the .90 a mile include base plates and IFTA?

You have to look at the whole package and not just the advertised payment.

Be safe.

[rikki_359]

Don't go with the TX only division.......my deceased hubby took my 359 over there when they started the TX division, that way we already had the tags and everything. We stayed there 2 1/2 months, 2 months longer than we should have. Whatever they told him the load paid, the settlement amount of the load was always less. Said they paid extra for drops, they didn't pay us. In my opinion, they suck. Just be careful....

[EVlLBOB]

I am at Landstar and have been for going on 7 years. I have never heard much good about CRST. I would check out Landstar and Mercer. Mercer may even be a little better for you if you are new to being a truck owner. They have a freight coordinator that helps you find freight and they also have a trailer purchase plan. Landstar has a trailer lease and a purchase plan as well.

Landstar's system is a little more involved. You have to contact the agents by phone and see what loads they have or look for loads on Landstar's website for freight. You are fully in charge of where, when and how you go at Landstar and the responsibility of self-dispatch is a little more than some new owner/operators can handle.