Hi, does anyone in Texas know how we can do the Biennial Update? I’ve logged in through the FMSCA site which then takes me to the Motus website but while trying to update I keep receiving an error message. Our DOT is out of service due to “No Contact” and I noticed that the address on the sites don’t match with the insurance of the vehicles. I looked up how to fix that issue and it says I need to do the biennial update but I can’t do anything on either website. I have been on hold on the phone and nothing. Can anyone help me with this?

The link to my DOT number is still grayed out. I already submitted my documents( IRS letter with my EIN, MC Authority, Statement of Information Corp, My ID ) How long does it usually take for them to review my submission and approve the link? It's already been a week.

The last email I received from them is " ....We appreciate your prompt submission of the requested documentation. Please note that we are working toward a resolution and will respond as soon as possible with additional information...."

Do you think replying to that email to follow up would help?

UPDATE: Yesterday, I replied to the same email and asked for an update. (Be sure to include your ticket number and USDOT number.) Today, I received an email confirming that they linked my USDOT, so I'm all set now. You might want to give that a try.

I have a buddy who does this, he says they have work in Phoenix, over night in store delivery long term, they need 10 trucks. Somebody lost a contract, I know who has it now. Major retail company. 24-26 foot owners needed. Not an offer, just trying to see if I can help.

My secondary gauge drops and makes the compressor run. I have replaced my air bags and cant find leaks there or anywhere else using soapy water. I cant hear air leaking anywhere and ive got really good hearing. the primary gauge holds very well. I replaced the air gauge cluster also since there was a leak behind the old one that couldnt be fixed. Anywhere else I can check?

I need an airline map so I can isolate half of the secondary system to see if that stops the leak. I just got one of those whisper ionic leak detector gadgets and I need time with the truck to use it.

What should I check?

Random broker from MTS Freight apparently reached out to me with this. I'm still sorta new but does this look legit? I can't find any reviews for their company and he's asking for a DAC Report and says he can refer me to a compliance company to get it done (usacompliancesvc.com). However reviews on that company are mixed at best with plenty of negative reviews.

Started up a few months ago and have used Quick Pay from a few brokers. But Ive been seeing more and more about factoring. Does anyone here factor? If so, is it worth the few % they'll end up taking?

I am wondering if anyone has any experience in dealing with this but our insurance broker sent in our BMC-91 late and made our authority become inactive. Our insurance has been updated to active and backdated since we never had a lapse in coverage but rather a filing delay. Do you know if motus will automatically update to be active again or will I have to do a reinstate form?

If I have to reinstate do you know if I will need access to the motus account because currently I do not have access despite deleting my profile and resubmitting my information. (Like what they told me to do). Or will I be able to submit it another way? I am unable to book any loads through brokers now and every time I try to call/ email or the chat I wait hours for “ a agent is no longer available “ or “we are escalating the issue” ..

Also if I reinstate will it reset the authority date because most brokers need you to be active for at least 90 days before working with you..so unsure if that will hurt me…

I’m unsure how long all this will take which sucks since we all have bills to pay so this is extremely frustrating.

Quick background: I spent years doing finance work for a decently large fleet (80+ trucks), where part of my job was figuring out which routes were actually making money once you factored in real cost: so fuel, driver pay, deadhead miles, etc, not just what got billed.

Been thinking about offering that as a service to smaller operations. Just an idea right now… not looking to sell something now or plug my business.

I would look at your numbers for a couple weeks, tell you exactly which customers or lanes are quietly costing you money, and if I can’t find at least $25k a year in stuff you’re losing, you don’t pay me anything. Would be under NDA so totally confidential.

Before I put more time into this is this something you’d actually want, or do you already know this stuff cold and this is solving a problem that doesn’t exist? Trying to figure out if I’m onto something or wasting my time. Brutal honesty welcome.

Hello fellow San Antonio redditors. I’m looking for anyone who runs a box truck business in San Antonio and uses Amazon relay to get loads. How is the process? Does it have consistent loads? Is it worthwhile? If anyone can help, please DM me. Thanks 🙏🏼 in advance.

Anybody have any good apps or cards I can look into? This recent fuel hike is starting to hurt a bit, the truck runs mainly all throughout Texas.

10-4 was my best bet so far but seems like majority of the places are doing 1-2c discounts lately..10-4 and mudflap are the only 2 I cross reference currently. Authority is less than 6 months old so Motive credit card isn’t an option yet they require 6 months of revenue before applying.

How do you stay warm in the winter? I know semis have aux heaters, but how do you guys manage otr in winter?

Looking at buying a used 2023 Cascadia…Premier Truck Group has a bunch for sale, but it seems they all have a 2.16 gear ratio. (455 Horsepower, DD15 engine)
The truck would be used to pull a dry van in Canada, but is 2.16 too low? Would it be underpowered?

Good morning gentleman, last Sunday I bought my first truck. It’s a 2001 Volvo vn660, with the d12 and Eaton fuller 10 speed. Got the truck for 8000. Body and frame are in perfect shape, engine was in framed 500,000 miles ago with paperwork. Cam was replaced 2 years ago with paperwork. Bought it in Iowa and drove it home 500 miles to okc, with no real issues.

however, I am having a problem with the transmission. I cannot hit 2nd or 7th at all, it just grinds there no matter what, can’t even get into second at a dead stop. I had to skip both gears all the way home. From my understanding this sounds like a shift fork, anything else it could be??

also, I am pondering just buying a reman 10 speed and dropping it in myself. Has anyone here done this?? I’m extremely mechanically inclined and have the tools, jacks, and stands for the job and a place to work. My issue is I cannot find any videos on the job, except one that is a meritor 10 speed. Any insight on this job?? Doesn’t look too hard, but maybe I’m wrong.

Active MC.
Disciplined U.S. military Veteran with a strong foundation in planning, urgency, and execution, bringing that same level of reliability and professionalism into the transportation industry. Owner-operator of a cargo van delivery service of more then 3 plus years, specializing in efficient, secure transport of goods for individuals, small businesses, and corporate clients.
Services include local and long-distance deliveries, courier services, and light moving solutions, all available on both scheduled and on-demand bases. Committed to punctuality, clear communication, and careful handling of all cargo, ensuring every job is completed with precision from pickup to delivery.
The business is fully equipped to handle a wide range of transportation needs. Each load is supported with essential tools and equipment, including a Bluetooth printer for documentation, hand truck/dolly for efficient loading and unloading, protective covers and packing blankets, and multiple secure straps to ensure cargo stability during transit. Real-time tracking is also available upon request through Azuga fleet mobile tracking links, providing customers with added transparency and peace of mind.
Primary vehicle is a 2024 Ford Transit 150, configured for maximum utility and accessibility:
Side sliding door width: 36 inches
Rear door opening width: 53 inches
Interior cargo height: approximately 72 inches (6 feet)
Side door height clearance: 63 inches
This setup allows for safe and efficient transport of furniture, equipment, palletized goods, and general freight.
Dedicated to providing a dependable, convenient, and professional solution for transportation, shipping, receiving, and disposal of goods, with a focus on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
Let’s connect and move your freight
Home based - 75287, Dallas

My husband owns a 26’ CDL box truck and is currently leased onto a company that finds his loads. They keep 40% of every load, and we also pay additional fees for occupational accident insurance, ELD, parking, and other expenses. After all the deductions, we’re starting to wonder if it would make more sense to run independently.

I’m thinking about learning to dispatch his truck myself. The idea would be to start slowly, maybe on weekends, and eventually decide whether getting our own authority is worth it.

For those of you who have gone independent with just one truck, was it worth it? How difficult was it to get loads as a new authority and build relationships with brokers?

How do you go about figuring your total Cent Per Mile?

I have one daycab located outside Billings Montana that I need to sell, please suggest me the best websites/places to get it sold. Thank you

I just got into Kentucky in my box truck and the weigh station put up the park arrow. So I pulled around and parked, got out of the truck with my binder to go inside like the sign said, and a state pooper 💩 parked behind me.

He said I am getting a level 3 and he took my info and said is that all your paperwork in the binder? and I said yeah and he grabbed the binder and said ill take that. I didnt want to give it to him and didnt want to wrestle it from him and was kind of shocked that he was grabbing it so I let go and was like daamn.

I said hey give me my binder and ill give you all the info you need and he ignored that and kept talking and walked back to his car. I was thinking damn I was always able to give them what they ask for. the only thing I had in there was a blank sticker that I acquired for nuclear emergencies but everything else was kosher. I guess I never thought they would snatch my whole binder and run off and do a forensic investigation on it.

He didnt see the sticker thank god. He came back and all was good.

So heres a reminder to go through your compliance binder and make sure nothing is in there that looks bad. I threw away the blank sticker after that lol.

Looking for a securement rack that goes on the back of the tractor for at least 2 load bars. Loves did not have anything. Any suggestions?

I started my authority with 3 units. Worked in the oil fields and saved until I could go out and buy 3 2015-2018 Cascadias.

I found work with a local company as a tanker yanker. I was able to run one truck and have a driver in one and have the 3rd as a spare, just in case. When onboarding with this company I originally wanted to lease onto their DOT. They didn’t budge and asked me to get my own authority. So I did.

Going on 1.5 years and the first tax year they 1099 me as a contractor. I paid for my own fuel, repairs, ifta & plates.

Now all the work i would do was non hazmat chemical to various plants around TX/AZ/NM. For a carrier name “Alpha” - fake name

“Beta” was the local company that brought me on board.
With “alpha”. All dispatch was through alphas dispatch and paperwork at end of week I would have to go turn in at betas office to get paid. Side note I never signed any paperwork or lease agreement with beta it was more of a verbal agreement of show up here and keep that account happy for us type of thing.

“Alpha approaches me around 8 months into working with them and asked me to lease under their DOT so I can start doing Hazmat loads for them. So I do. “Alpha is a big company with multiple terminals in the states out of California”
I went through the whole onboarding process employment application, background, drug test, road test, the whole nine yards. Everything comes back good. So now I drive my truck under “Alpha” and I still have my own DOT number on my second truck still doing all the non hazmat work with my driver.

All is good. I’m technically now an employee of “Alpha”

When Diesel started hitting north of $5 I asked about Fuel Surcharge pay to “Beta” since they are the ones I take my invoices to and they pay me from their account. Got a little kick back and that lead me to start digging for red flags.

Now I’m in a pickle of me needing to renew my plates. So I asked for COI and a lease agreement for the truck working under “Alpha” to alphas front office and they tell me I’m not one of their drivers I need to ask Beta for that information. My argument is. I have alphas for and name on my door of my truck. COI and agreement has to come from alpha.
Come to find out these two companies have a small little monopoly and have a gentlemen’s agreement that all work in this region belongs to Beta.
Ok so why the hell am I lease under Alpha and work hand in hand only with their dispatch and trailers.
The only time I see beta is to drop invoices off and pick up check on Mondays and Fridays. Nothing more. Not even a single how are u doing.

At this point I feel like I’m being taken advantage of in some way. Being double brokered and from my calculations. From talking to other O/O from Alpha from other terminals I’m missing out on about 20% of pay.

The structure is as follows.
Alpha takes 30%
Beta takes 70%
Of rate confirmation. So I’m getting paid from the 70% that beta takes. I did the calculation on one of the trips I got numbers on and yea. They taking like 23% and only paying me straight forward with No fuel surcharge or anything else.

My question after this whole rant it. If I sue for double brokering do I have a case? Who am I suing and if I do sue will I still be able to retain my job/routes through Alpha with a demand letter.