Lightweight Trucks At Prime

I'm a new driver fresh out of school looking to go to work with Prime Inc. I've heard about their lightweight trucks with limited sleeper space. Can anyone who works there tell me if you have a choice not to take the lightweight?

I am sure Rainy D will chime in on that subject.

Hey Michael...

My thoughts on the LWs. Although I am not a Primate, I operate a similar LW on a Walmart Dedicated account for Swift.

If you learn to economize on the amount of stuff you schlep around with you...the LW offers several benefits over the Condo-Sleepers. Easier to maneuver due to an additional 6" of setback on the steer axle and less length ahead of the pivot point with the kingpin because of the decreased depth of the sleeper space. The lighter weight enables a greater payload capacity, offering greater flexibility to the planners when parsing out the loads. In addition Prime offers a CPM bump of a few cents for driving around in a SLUF.

Rainy can fill-in any additional blanks.

Every trucker knows bigger is better!! Just look at all those fancy stretched out Petes and KWs out there with nothing but empty space between the tiny sleeper and 5th wheel!!!

Every trucker knows bigger is better!! Just look at all those fancy stretched out Petes and KWs out there with nothing but empty space between the tiny sleeper and 5th wheel!!!

I'll take my chances with "Shorty". LOL.

Thanks for the info G-Town

Hi! You need "approval" for a condo which consists of asking a fleet manager or his boss. Also they will tell you that you are responsible for the hotel bill until one comes in. I have gotten two condos, each time waited only one day and no hotel bill.

If they really psuh you towards the LW whichbis unusual, tell them you plan on bringing a pet or passenger eventually. But I didn't have to fight just ask.

BTW, the sleeper itself is right behind the seats. No cabinets, but because there is no top bunk, there are slots above the bed and you can take the passenger seat out for fridge or drawers.

I drive an International LW here at Prime, while it definitely has much less storage and cabinet space than any condo, it certainly has more cabinet/storage space than the Freightliner LW. I was first disappointed when assigned the International because my trainer had Freightliner and I was familiar with operational setup (which buttons are where, etc). However, after seeing inside of fellow driver's Freightliner LW, I was quite thankful. Like Rainy mentioned they don't seem to force anybody into a LW, I am thinking of switching to full size atm, possibly doing some training. However, as others have mentioned there are a few benefits of the LW, both financial and operational, especially for new driver who may benefit from the extra room provided when backing.