A trucking company and a dealer in Iowa have teamed up to help drivers become owner-operators.

Three I Truck Line of Eldridge, Iowa, is working with Truck Country SelecTrucks of Davenport, Iowa. Under Three I's new SelecDriver program, the trucking company will make the $999 down payment to Truck Country SelecTrucks for the driver participating in Freightliner's "Power to Succeed" program announced earlier this year.
"Power to Succeed" is an expanded version of Freightliner's "Route to Success" program. It features a $999 down payment, 10 new tires, relined brake shoe coupon, new Alliance batteries, 24-month/200,000-mile coverage on major components, 12-month, 100,000-mile coverage on additional components, and "Destination Success" educational business kit. Also included is SelecTrucks Business Services, which includes budgeting, break-even analysis, income statement preparation, industry comparisons, tax preparation, and unlimited business consultation for 12 months. It also includes preventive maintenance service for 12 months.
Three I Vice President of Operations Ian Lamphier says the SelecDrivers program "is much better than the usual lease purchase program because, in addition to the scope of Freightliner's 'Power to Succeed' program, the driver is buying his truck right from the beginning. He's truly an independent contractor."
Qualified SelecDrivers who want assistance with the down payment will be employed by Three I as a company driver for two months. The company will put aside $125 a week for the down payment in addition to the driver's regular earnings during that time. SelecDrivers who do not want help with the down payment will receive $100 a month during the first year they are leased to Three I.
Three I is a CRST International subsidiary and has been serving the Midwest flatbed market since 1959. Truck Country serves the Midwest region with 11 locations.
For more information, call Sandy Seeds at 1-800-611-3763 or email sseeds@crst.com.