The Time Has Come!! (Finally Introducing Myself)

I have been on here reading and gathering information (and giving some of mine where i can), and I feel like I should introduce myself. My name is John. I am 25, and looking to change my career path. From '07 until April '12, I was an automotive and diesel technician in a variety of shops (as well as the US Army, but that is a story for another time). I have spent the remainder of this time in the adult entertainment industry working at several clubs in the DFW as a poker dealer and promoter. I like the freedom that a life on the road can provide, and since I have no spouse or other financial obligations, I can stay out as long as necessary to get the loads run. I have narrowed down the list of companies that I want to train with to five:

1. Prime (seems to be the best fit, but I have to travel to MO for school)
2. Swift (Not quite as well of a fit and idk about volvo's trucks)
3. Raider Express (Local, but I haven't heard much either way about them)
4. Stevens (the first company I talked to, seems decent)
and waaaay down the list is...
5. PAM (heard about forced team driving and pulling miles from solo drivers at a local truck stop)

My questions are:

Has anybody on here dealt with Raider Express?

How do you exercise on the road?

What are your thoughts on volvo's trucks?

I'm not familiar with Raider Express.

It's been a number of years since I've driven a Volvo but they were always known for their very smooth ride and lots of interior room. They were also a bit on the heavy side which affected how much weight you could haul.

For exercise I used to go jogging several days a week and I had a pair of 60 pound adjustable dumbbells with me for strength work. But the better option I think than dumbbells would be one of the various stretch-band setups. The bands are lighter, easier to store in a truck, and more versatile.

I drive for Swift and love it can't complain about them. But then again maybe I'm still in that honey moon stage who knows. I'm also currently driving a 2013 10 speed Volvo and haven't had a problem with it. I got it with just a smidge over 200k miles. I can haul 44k and some change. The turning radius in a Volvo is tighter than most other trucks I've been and although my experience is still extremely small I've driven freightliners, internationals and kenworths and my Volvo has been the easiest to make tight turns in. Brett is right about the interior space too, there is plenty of room. I love my Volvo and am extrmely happy with it.

Thanks for the advice guys. I just hadn't had the chance to familiarize myself with Volvo's trucks. It looks like I need to make the rounds at the local truck stops and see if I can find a Raider driver to talk to, as well as getting more info from Prime drivers. I will look into getting a set of the resistance bands as well Brett!

I drive a 2012 Volvo at knight and i would not trade it for anything. Turning radius is awesome and for backing it is so much better than the 2014 Pro Star that i trained on.

Thanks for the advice guys. I just hadn't had the chance to familiarize myself with Volvo's trucks. It looks like I need to make the rounds at the local truck stops and see if I can find a Raider driver to talk to, as well as getting more info from Prime drivers. I will look into getting a set of the resistance bands as well Brett!

If you have questions about Prime, let me know. I will do my best to help if I can. I currently drive for Prime.

Ernie

Thanks Thomas. Most of what I have dealt with as a tech are Freightliners and Internationals. A volvo doesn't sound too bad at all!

Ernie, I have kind of a left field question for ya. I know we can modify the interior of these trucks to a certain point (i.e. installing Sat radio, a fridge, etc.), but what about the exterior? I feel I should ask this as whatever rig I'm assigned will be my daily driver for the next year or so, and I'd like to make it stand out a little.

Most company's dont let you customize the out side. for a workout, get into flatbedding. theres a few company's that take students and its heavy manual labor, keeps you fit.

Honestly, I'm looking to go into a reefer division. Worst comes to worst, PT mat and about 30 minutes a day should have me set. Thanks for the heads up about flatbedding and modding a truck.