new cdl a

9dogbones · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2008, 08:08 PM

does any one have any good advice on how to get started. got my cdl class a, but how to get a job without any experience. should i just buy a truck and haul their trailers for somebody like jb hunt. do you buy a new one. sounds like a new one would kill me with payments and insurance. buy a used one but with how many miles. or just go to work for budweiser for a while and is that enough experience then to get on the road. help i m lost. i got some money to get going with but dont know which way to go . here alot of bad stories. any help would be much apprecieted thanks -catfish

pro1driver · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9dogbones

does any one have any good advice on how to get started. got my cdl class a, but how to get a job without any experience. should i just buy a truck and haul their trailers for somebody like jb hunt. do you buy a new one. sounds like a new one would kill me with payments and insurance. buy a used one but with how many miles. or just go to work for budweiser for a while and is that enough experience then to get on the road. help i m lost. i got some money to get going with but dont know which way to go . here alot of bad stories. any help would be much apprecieted thanks -catfish

right now you need experience, not a truck payment of ANY KIND. get a job and learn.....

if you were to go and buy a truck, and since you DO NOT have experience, you will be buried in debt real quick, not to mention that finding someone who will trust you with thier cargo. you will have an extremely hard time getting insurance or a loan for ANY truck.......

get experience first..............

9dogbones · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 01:53 AM

any suggestions on where to start for experience. ive drove my own box truck for 6 years. what is a LTL company. otr is over the road but what is LTL. thanks

pro1driver · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 08:07 AM

LTL .....Less Than Truckload.......

meaning, they pick-up and deliver laods from many stops........THEN.....there is always a "line haul" division to every LTL company.....

here's what "line haul" does.....when the city trucks come in during the day/night, they get unloaded, the reloaded onto other trailers.....

then the line haul drivers take those loads to another terminal.......those trailers are unloaded and reloaded onto city trailers for the city drivers to take out for deliveries......

the line haul drivers, then take back loaded trailers (usually) back to thier starting point....sometimes to yet another terminal....where the same process is done again.......some line haul drivers are home every day.....some line haul drivers do "over-nighters".............but in any event, most line haul drivers are home every weekend, and if really busy, may (on a voluntary basis) may work the weekends too if they want the extra money.....BUT sometimes, low man on the senority list HAS TO work weekends, if no senior driver wants to........

check your area. with NO experience as you say, you "MIGHT" be able to get a job at an LTL company... you might be hired as a yardman, or a fueler........take whatever is offered.....many times, you get additional training right from them....

9dogbones · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2008, 10:00 PM

this site is so helpful,ive learned so much already. i got my class a with no school, i just went up and took the test.missed one question,got permit then paid $300 to take driving test.past with no mistakes,with never driving a truck before. i drive an f-250 with a trailer every week, pulling my boat or 4 wheelers.i also drive a 16' box truck i own 5 days a week,driving with mirrors no problem.so i feel i can just go buy me a truck and get started,but after finding this site and reading many hours here im not to sure.buying the truck and insurance is no problem money wise and i already have commercial insurance on box truck and 4 -1 ton vans, just need to add on big rig but still i wonder if i should take a driving class, before buying a truck. thanks again for the help from the pros. mike

Cerberus_Kelpie · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-2008, 01:12 AM

Other factors to consider when/if you buy a class eight truck:

1) Engine--
How old is it? Has it been rebuilt? Has it been declawed or in other words has it been squatted on power output. This tactic is used by a lot of Companies in the belief of saving Fuel. Idling wipes out fuel savings as does dead heading.
2) Transmission--
9, 10, 13, 15, 18, 21 speed or Auto shift (10 speed). Which one you want is dependent upon what for it is to be used. 15, 18, 21 are good for Heavy Haul and Logging.
3) Drive axle(s) Ratio--
The Higher the number, the Higher the RPMs. The Lower numbers mean better fuel mileage.
(4.56 gears in a race car differential are great light to light or on a track) 3.56 and under work well for the Highway. 3.36 seem to be popular.

If any of this info helps anyone then it is a worthy post.