I'll Be Driving Your Brand-new Truck Before You Do!

I have been an instructor at Swift's Academy in Memphis, TN, for the last ten months. For my own reasons I've decided to get back into OTR driving, but this time with a twist: today I start with a company that moves brand new trucks from the factory to dealers & other buyers.

You may have seen a "triple" made up of three or four tractors mounted piggy back going down a highway. These are called "decks". I'll make one way trips to the consignee , then travel, often by flying, back to the factory for another load.

My first trip I'll fly today from Memphis to Laredo, TX, to meet my mentor and drive a deck to somewhere in the USA.

To answer some obvious questions:

• The pay is by miles, and I'll be an independent contractor (1099).
• As an independent contractor I'll have to buy my own fuel and handle some of my own travel but the company buys the plane ticket to the pickup point.
• I had to buy about $600 of specialized tools because I need to do the unhooking of the trucks, which also often involves a large tow truck to lift one tractor off the other.
• Yes, I get paid enough to cover these expenses as well as some money for myself

Obviously this is not a job for newbies. It looks to be similar to flatbed work in that I'll be working outside in all kinds of weather getting these trucks apart. But it's different!

Congratulations Errol, and keep us posted. I hope it all works out really well for ya!

Congratulations buddy. There is at least one company that does that where you are a company driver. They only hire experienced drivers. Best of luck to you.

Good luck

Congratulations!

Errol,

Hate to burst your bubble, but most of the trucks I've been assigned to since I started 7 years ago have been new.

But seriously, good for you and good luck. I have seen many of these setups you are about to embark on, pretty cool that you are getting the chance to do this.

Ernie

Ernie bursts in:

Hate to burst your bubble, but most of the trucks I've been assigned to since I started 7 years ago have been new.

Remember the first truck does the pulling, the trailer" trucks' front axle (where the odometer reads) is off the ground, and of course the engine isn't running. So your new-truck mileage should be in low single digits. Also, I watched a long company video stressing to leave the truck clean as new. We can't sleep on the plastic covered mattress or have ride-alongs, and of course no smoking even with the window rolled down.

Finally that topic name was just click-bait anyway.

Good luck Errol!

Good luck Erroll, sounds like an interesting gig!

Best of luck in your new endeavor, Errol!!