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Ok Decided to go with Sprinter 2500 to Start Expediting

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FOTR2001

Seasoned Expediter
Ok thanks for all the infromation, And I plan to just start out in the Sprinter 2500....I will still take this slow and read all your post...And get my B-CDL with Haz-Mat, and take it from there...I may first try to team up with a Driver who will teach me the ropes and trade......Now I wonder are there any good sites on the web for Frieghtliner Sprinters, ( How to fix one up) for Expediting? and about different sleeper models and what I need for the Sprinter???I plan while I am studying and learning will buy what I will need...I heard its best to just Lease then to Buy, and could I build my own sleeping area???I do thank you all for the information and Hope with God as my Pilot I meet you all someday on the wonderful open road.....God Bless,Travel Safe, Be Alert.......:eek:
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
I have to ask, have you actually talked to the carriers to see if they are taking on any new contractors and have you actually taken the 'right' steps to setup your business first?
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
Greg is right...what have you based your decisions on?? who are you thinking of leasing to? What does your business plan say as far as your needs and expectations and which carrier will best suit them??

What is your decision to purchase a sprinter based on? Are you looking at strictly new or are you ok with used? Why only Frightliner vs Mercedes since Mercedes is the builder of the unit?

As for setting up a sleeper. at the very top of the Truck Forum on this site, you will find 3 threads on seeting up Cargo Vans , Sprinters and anything you can take from the Cargo Van threads will also for the most part apply to a sprinter....

But you need to answer the questiones above long before you even think about jumping into purchasing a unit ....
 
idtrans

idtrans

Expert Expediter
Lease on to Demaris, Prestige, LRT and you should stay pretty busy ok. Make sure your sprinter is a long and high top model and do not build a huge silly cargo killing sleeper.

great luck to you
 
F

FOTR2001

Seasoned Expediter
idtrans said:
Lease on to Demaris, Prestige, LRT and you should stay pretty busy ok. Make sure your sprinter is a long and high top model and do not build a huge silly cargo killing sleeper.

great luck to you
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ok thanks idtrans will keep them in mind.....I see what your both ( greg334/Chefdennis) are saying......well I am not jump to start business yet, working on my B-CDL first and want to get on as a Team- Van / straight truck to get some knowledge of the business...possible start when business is slow so I can build my truck then start next year when business picks up....I have to also keep in mine my Wife....( She's Deaf) so she can't drive but could ride with me and the Sprinter Van was a best idea even know I still looking and learning....But I am looking to go Straight truck more of a ( International 7500 or / Sterling Acterra) since I'll have a B-CDL and more room for her to travel with me....but the van ( Sprinter) with a Small sleeper will do for me and can do the job I would want....but my friend who drives for Nations Express is telling me to go for the International deal...Haul more and more room in sleeper area .....Like I said I am still studying/Learning/Reading all infromation from you all......God Bless Travel Safe Be Alert.......Chris
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Well hate to break the news to you but the cdl is the easiest thing to get. I wouldn't even put a lot of emphasis on it but rather have your ducks in a row by talking to the carriers right now. It isn't a given (unless you already have talked to someone) that you will find some one to team with and on top of that, there is a chance you may not learn anything that you won't learn on your own.

THIS business isn't rocket science, pretty much it is a carrier centric thing outside of the fact that your business has to be dealt with properly and that you can't learn by someone else. Most of this stuff is common sense when you work for carrier, not much is left to you as a contractor outside of declining or accepting an offer that fits your needs.
 
F

FOTR2001

Seasoned Expediter
greg334 said:
Well hate to break the news to you but the cdl is the easiest thing to get. I wouldn't even put a lot of emphasis on it but rather have your ducks in a row by talking to the carriers right now. It isn't a given (unless you already have talked to someone) that you will find some one to team with and on top of that, there is a chance you may not learn anything that you won't learn on your own.

THIS business isn't rocket science, pretty much it is a carrier centric thing outside of the fact that your business has to be dealt with properly and that you can't learn by someone else. Most of this stuff is common sense when you work for carrier, not much is left to you as a contractor outside of declining or accepting an offer that fits your needs.
Click to expand...

Too all if you read ( She will ride with me) travel with me....really if its my van/Straight not matter I am the one with the CDL Exp and License.......
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
Even if she is not driving and just a passenger, you will need permission from your carrier for her to ride with you in your own van or truck....
 
F

FOTR2001

Seasoned Expediter
chefdennis said:
Even if she is not driving and just a passenger, you will need permission from your carrier for her to ride with you in your own van or truck....
Click to expand...

Oh really ( Chefdennis)? WOW! well wasn;t gotta do it until I get exp, but my father's old saying ( All Rules are made to be Broken) we'll wait and see....its 2011 now
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
The no passenger rule has to do with Insurance...are you willing to take the chance of getting into an accident that would be no problem if it is just you in the van, but you have a passenger and they get hurt and the insurance company won't cover anything including what they would normally cover because you violated the terms of the company rules and the insurance carrier!?!?

One other thing, forget the accident, but you break the rules and your carrier terminates you lease, do you think that any other carrier is going to put you on once they find out??? This is a small industry, keep that in mind, when all you have to do is, talk to your carrier and do it right....

I am not tryin to be an azz here, but from some of your questions, statements and answers you have given...you need to continue to do more research before you jump in and try this...Expediting isn't just holding a steering wheel, driving and picking up and dropping off freight....

What are you going to do if you get a DOD (department of defense) load that your carrier had you setup for, but since they don't know about your "passenger" you have to turn it down with no explainations,,,do that more then a few times and you might be looking for another carrier...

Do it right or don't do it....
 
Last edited:
Turtle

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
When it comes to the DOT and the FMCSA, uhm, no, the rules aren't made to be broken.
Prohibited practices

§ 392.60 Unauthorized persons not to be transported. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

(a) Unless specifically authorized in writing to do so by the motor carrier under whose authority the commercial motor vehicle is being operated, no driver shall transport any person or permit any person to be transported on any commercial motor vehicle other than a bus. When such authorization is issued, it shall state the name of the person to be transported, the points where the transportation is to begin and end, and the date upon which such authority expires. No written authorization, however, shall be necessary for the transportation of:

1) Employees or other persons assigned to a commercial motor vehicle by a motor carrier;

(2) Any person transported when aid is being rendered in case of an accident or other emergency;

(3) An attendant delegated to care for livestock.

(b) This section shall not apply to the operation of commercial motor vehicles controlled and operated by any farmer and used in the transportation of agricultural commodities or products thereof from his/her farm or in the transportation of supplies to his/her farm.
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The FMCSA regs don't apply to vans and Sprinters, but most carriers (all that I know of, actually) do not distinguish between CMV and non-CMV when it comes to things like passengers, because the insurance policies are written as per the FMCSA regulations, and thus an unauthorized passenger pretty much voids the insurance.

Read and consider very carefully what Dennis wrote above. It's spot on.
 
Steady Eddie

Steady Eddie

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
FOTR2001 said:
Ok thanks for all the infromation, And I plan to just start out in the Sprinter 2500....I will still take this slow and read all your post...And get my B-CDL with Haz-Mat, and take it from there...I may first try to team up with a Driver who will teach me the ropes and trade......Now I wonder are there any good sites on the web for Frieghtliner Sprinters, ( How to fix one up) for Expediting? and about different sleeper models and what I need for the Sprinter???I plan while I am studying and learning will buy what I will need...I heard its best to just Lease then to Buy, and could I build my own sleeping area???I do thank you all for the information and Hope with God as my Pilot I meet you all someday on the wonderful open road.....God Bless,Travel Safe, Be Alert.......:eek:
Click to expand...

Sleeper- Make sure you can put a sleeper in and still have room for 12' of cargo. I have a 2500 Sprinter and can carry 12', my bed and other stuff just folds up out of the way. One to two skids I can sometimes lower the bed and have room to sleep. Folks on here will try to talk you out of jumping in as they did with me way back when. That is done so you will be sure this life style is really what you want to do.

You should contact your carrier of choice, and see if they will take you on, then ask all the questions to them.
 
nightcreacher

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
you get caught by a dot officer with a passenger unauthorized in a commercial vehicle,3 things happen.1st,passenger gets put out of truck where you are,2nd huge fine,and actually the worsty part,you now loose your lease,and you probably won't find another carrier to take you
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
and while the DOT does not "regulate" CV's / Sprinters, they can stop you if they get a burr under their seat and then turn you to the local LEO's for enforcement.....it ain't worth it...and from your post, the sprinter is a temp thing before you move to a ST....now you don't follow the rules....well you can read what was posted above.....

and besides, as to following the rules...WWJD.....??? Just asking based on the ending of alot of your post....
 
scottm4211

scottm4211

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
J would turn water into diesel, and roll down the highways for free. Probably wouldn't wait long in Laredo either
 
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