[Tennesseahawk]

But Fastrod, do you let them put that much on your van without asking for s/t rate? That would be like me taking 15k on my truck for s/t rate... ain't gonna happen.

[dhalltoyo]

I never turn the key unless dispatch can verify the weight.

It is simply not a good business practice to simply send a load offer indicating "Weight Unknown, Dimensions Unknown."

Moreover, serious ramifications may arise if dispatch responds to an O/O's inquiry regarding the freight with the answer, "I don't know...they just called for a van, or straight truck, or tractor". Why? Because it may cost the carrier the account when a truck arrives and it can not safely or legally carry the load.

When I sit for a while, I often contact local churches or Christian salvage warehouses to see if they have any hymnals, Bibles, Christian School materials, etc. that I can take home with me. Our church ships container loads of these materials (free of charge) to help local pastors in other countries.

If I load 500 lbs of used Bibles, and dispatch then asks me to consider a load offer, it is imperative that I know tht exact weight of the freight before I move toward the shipper's location.

Plain and simple...it just comes down to everyone being responsible for their part of the process.

I'll deliver the freight on time, I'll secure the freight properly, I'll conduct myself in a professional manner when dealing with the customers and I'll even brush my teeth twice a day. That is my responsibility. I only ask that everyone else involved in the process have the same desire to do their part thoroughly and completely.

PS. I trained CSR's for a company and I made sure the warehouse every bit of information they needed to quickly process and ship the order; information gathered by asking the proper questions. If the customer could not provide the necessary information our CSR's would ask them to please call us back as soon as that information was available and we would gladly expedite their order.

[fastrod]

Anything over 3000# I bump the rate .30 per mile plus the fsc is fiqured on the higher rate. My ford was a 1989 1 ton that used a 4aod trans, the same trans was used in 6 wheelers with 11,500 ratings so the extra weight would have no ill effect at all. Same deal with the rearend, just different mounting for the wheels. What you will find is most driveline components in a 1ton van and a 11,500 cube truck are the same except for the springs. Now remember I am talking about Chevy, Ford, and Dodge 1 ton vans, not sprinters as most sprinters used in expediting are 3/4 ton vans and therefore use lighter duty components.

[gotta go]

As a s/t owner, I've never had the van experiences but as I read this thread it makes me wonder about adding air-ride. I have a Ranger pick-up with air-ride added on so I can pull a 5th wheel trailer. It was less than $500 and seems to me that it may be an advantage on a van. Do any of you have air-ride?

[KEEKEEBOO]

YOU GO GIRL !!!!!!
That pesky KEEKEEBOO <><

[arrbsthw]

Originally Posted by gotta go

As a s/t owner, I've never had the van experiences but as I read this thread it makes me wonder about adding air-ride. I have a Ranger pick-up with air-ride added on so I can pull a 5th wheel trailer. It was less than $500 and seems to me that it may be an advantage on a van. Do any of you have air-ride?

You can pull a 5th wheel with a Ranger pu?
Our F150 pu can barely pull our 27' travel trailer
without swaying all over the road.. must be a
tough truck.

[Jack_Berry]

airbags for the e250 are $750.00. still would not take that load. i would use them to level out the ride.


i know rlent has them on his sprinter.

[Moot]

Originally Posted by dhalltoyo

If I load 500 lbs of used Bibles, and dispatch then asks me to consider a load offer, it is imperative that I know tht exact weight of the freight before I move toward the shipper's location.

Plain and simple...it just comes down to everyone being responsible for their part of the process.

Being responsible for "their" part of the process should include being able to legally carry the weight and size on record with your particular carrier. I am listed with Panther as being able to haul 2500# and I give them 100" of floor space at 48" high.

This means when my van is full of fuel, gear and me I can haul a 2500# load. I'm sure dispatch doesn't want to hear I can't take the 2500# load because I got a good deal on a used piano at a yard sale.

As for the 4000# load, no matter what type of extra springs you use chances are you will be over the GVWR on a standard 1 ton cargo van. Unless the spring installer can legally re-rate the GVWR.

[Tennesseahawk]

Moot... that's when you call dispatch, right after you load your piano, and tell them your new dimensions. What personal stuff you have in YOUR truck is none of THEIR business. Just tell them to treat you like a 14' sleeper with a 12' box until you're unloaded.