FAQ

Frequently Asked

Questions

Interested in learning more about driving for Pinnacle Transport Group? There is a lot of information given to you when starting for a transportation company, and a lot of questions you might have on how to achieve success as a driver.

Here’s a list of our most common questions our drivers have.

General Requirements For All Divisions

  • At least 23 years of age or older
  • Have a DOT physical
  • Must be able to pass a drug test

Driveaway

  • Driver’s License
  • A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) is preferred, but not required.
  • At a minimum, a driver must hold a regular (Operator’s) driver’s license for the preceding 3 years.
  • Experience: Any CDL experience is acceptable.

Towaway

  • We require all drivers be owners/operators, who utilize bumper-pull or fifth-wheel attachments for hauling on unit at a time.
  • Driver’s License
  • A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) is preferred, but not required.
  • At a minimum, a driver must hold a regular (Operator’s) driver’s license for the preceding 3 years.
  • Experience: Any CDL experience is acceptable. If a driver has no professional experience hauling RVs, a letter outlining personal experience pulling RVs or 30-ft or longer trailers may be accepted. Inquire with your recruiter.

Multi-Haul 

  • We require that all drivers be owner-operators
  • Have a CDL Class A
  • At least 9 months of verifiable truck and trailer combination experience with a 53-ft or longer trailer within the last three years
  • Winching and strapping experience
  • Trailer not needed, we have trailers for lease
  • If you own a trailer, it must have at least 53′ deck space (example: Step-Deck or Low-Boy Trailer) 

Yes. All Pinnacle Transport drivers are independent contractors (1099) whether they use their trucks to delivers RVs and travel trailers in our Towaway division; or drive the units, trucks, or transport vans with our Driveaway division.

Our drivers must abide by the DOT rules and regulations. All Pinnacle drivers must submit themselves, and pass, a drug test before employment.

CDL stands for Commercial Drivers License. A non-CDL drivers is a driver without a commercial license. The size of the load or vehicle you drive or tow determines the license required to drive with Pinnacle Transport.

A commercial license is not always needed to drive commercial vehicles. And you may already have the experience required to drive with us if you drove a box truck or a commercial van for more than six months in a previous job experience.

It depends on the size of the load you are driving.

Driveaway and Towaway

  • Drivers with or without a CDL
  • CDL drivers have access to larger loads, because of license vehicle weight restrictions for non-CDL drivers

 

Multi-Haul

  • Drivers with a valid Class A CDL

 

Toter/Over Dimensional

  • Division: a valid Clas A CDL

A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is a health exam mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for commercial vehicle drivers. A DOT physical helps determine if the driver is physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to operate a commercial vehicle.

All Pinnacle drivers are required to have a valid DOT physical. Drivers who fail to maintain their valid DOT physical can be subject to de-lease. 

Driveaway – no truck required

Towaway – you will have to provide either your own truck or have access to a truck that someone will sign a power of attorney over to you for your use.

Multi-Haul – you will have to provide either your own truck or have access to a truck that someone will sign a power of attorney over to you for your use. We do have multi-haul trailers available for lease.

Toter/Over Dimensional – You will have to provide either your own truck or have access to a truck that someone will sign a power of attorney over to you for your use. The Toter division also has a truck for lease.

Sadly, Pinnacle Transport dos not sign on drivers with their own authority/DOT number. Pinnacle Transport drivers run under Pinnacle’s authority/DOT number.

If you are interested in RV haul with our company, please do not apply for your own DOT number.

Drivers with their own authority/DOT number can contact our Brokerage Division at (480) 833-4000, ext 9104 or email [email protected]

For towing, diesel engines are a better option. Diesel engines have higher torque at low rpm. Also, they get better fuel mileage when loaded. Diesel engines have higher torque, offer better mileage, and enjoy better engine longevity than the gas counterparts. Unlike the diesel trucks, gas trucks might have a reduced fuel economy, high RPM, and a speed decrease when towing up a steep slope.

For towing, diesel engines are a better option. Diesel engines have higher torque at low rpm. Also, they get better fuel mileage when loaded. Diesel engines have higher torque, offer better mileage, and enjoy better engine longevity than the gas counterparts. Unlike the diesel trucks, gas trucks might have a reduced fuel economy, high RPM, and a speed decrease when towing up a steep slope.

Dodge TOWAWAY

For single haul, we require:

  • A 2007 or newer model (older trucks can be accepted upon insurance approval)
  • A 1/2-ton or 1-ton pickup

1/2 ton truck examples: Chevrolet Silverado 2500, GMC Sierra 2500, Ram 2500, or a Ford Super Duty F-250

1- ton truck examples: Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 3500, Dodge Ram 3500, or Ford F-350

 

Half-Ton Pickups don’t qualify for single haul:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Ford F-150
  • Ford F-150 Raptor
  • GMC Sierra 1500
  • Nissan Titan
  • Ram 1500
  • Toyota Tundra 

 

Larger than 1-ton trucks are not the best option for single haul. With the max tow weight being 26,000 pounds total for both truck and RV unit, the larger the truck, the smaller the RV unit, as to not exceed 26,000 pounds. The result is less profit. We don’t recommend it.

 

MULTI-HAUL

For Multi-Haul, we require:

  • A 2007 or newer model (older trucks can be accepted upon insurance approval) 
  • A 1-ton minimum pickup with Bed-Delete or Semi and 5th-wheel hitch

1-ton truck examples: Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 3500, Dodge Ram 3500, or Ford F-350

Multi-Haul Trailers: All trailers must have at least a 53′ deck space (for example: a Step-Deck or Low-Boy) with a center rail along its length. We only utilize one type of trailer in our multi haul division, so whether you are bringing your own, or leasing one from us, we will require the same thing.

Half-Ton Pickups we don’t qualify for Multi-Haul:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Ford F-150
  • Ford F-150 Raptor
  • GMC Sierra 1500
  • Nissan Titan 
  • Ram 1500
  • Toyota Tundra

 

Three-Quarter-Ton Pickups we don’t qualify for Multi-Haul:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  • Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
  • Ram 2500
  • GMC Sierra 2500
  • GMC Sierra 2500HD
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty
  • Nissan Titan XD

– Heavy duty ? ton or one-ton diesel pickup trucks able to meet DOT requirements

– Current Annual DOT Truck Inspection

– Registration certificate on truck must be rated at 26,000 lbs.

– Fifth Wheel Hitch with 20k ?load? rating

– Seven pin (bargeman female side) electrical connector mounted near fifth wheel hitch.

– 2?2 receiver hitch rated at 10,000 lbs. with a 2? & 2-5/16? solid ball mount rate at 10k

– Trailer Brakes- Electric Brake Controller

– Battery (Deep Cycle Marine Battery, top mount) and case- Required by DOT (operates break away)

– Snap or clamp to fasten Break Away cable to frame of truck

– Small ratchet strap to fasten down battery box- DOT Required

– Padlock to lock coupler

– 4-way star lug wrench

– Calibrated Torque Wrench- This is a MUST- Required by BOT

– Jack- to change tires

– Towing mirrors- must extend to 102?

– Big ?STURDY? mud flaps- must cover tires

– Emergency reflective safety triangles and / or flares

– Mounted fire extinguisher with gauge that is fully charged

– 6-foot safety chain

– Zip tie/ cable ties

– DOT Code 393.60D- Glazing Permits <70% of light- NO DARK TINT ACCEPTED

– TIRE CHAINS (Required by DOT in Western States)

Vehicle

  • The total towing weight of your vehicle (including any tow equipment) must not exceed 4200 bs
  • Must pass safety inspection
  • Must be in presentable condition 

Tow Equipment

  • Tow bar – must have a tow bar correctly installed. The tow bar is attached to the front of your personal vehicle.
  • Lights – you will need lights to attach to your vehicle, and may need a light box as not all units have a light hook up.
  • Receivers/hitches that qualify: 
    • Drop Down Receiver – commonly used when hitching up behind a vehicle which is too high. It allows you to connect without unbalancing the vehicle. These receivers are available as adjustable, long, or short.
    • Pancake Hitch – this is more of a friction-based hitch that is attached to the bumper. If using this, drivers should use rubber or plastic to protect the bumper.
    • Frame Rail Hitch – commonly used when hitching up to bobtail semi’s, busses, and chassis unties. Also able to use on trucks with liftgates.

Our drivers are required to use electronic logging, whether that is through a smartphone or tablet. We use the Keeptruckin’ app for our electronic logs. 

Driveaway – our Driveaway division does not allow passengers in the vehicle with a Pinnacle driver.

Towaway – our Towaway division drives are permitted to have a passenger with them. The passenger must be at least 18 years of age. All passengers must sign a Passenger Authorization Form, which is available at our terminals.

Drivers are paid a fee per mile that vary by division, license class, product type, and geographic location, and are paid the same day they deliver the unit, as long as paperwork is turned in by 3:00 PM EST. Otherwise you will receive it the following business day.

As 1099 independent contractors, drivers are responsible for their own expenses.

Payment is deposited to the drivers EFS MasterCard. This card will also give you access to extraordinary fuel discounts, 50-70 cents per gallon diesel fuel discount average when you purchase at one of the participating stations.

In our Driveaway and Towaway divisions, you will receive 50% of your pay in advance, and the remaining 50% upon delivery. If you deliver your unit before 3:00 PM EST, you will receive your money the same day.

Rates vary by division, license class, product type, and geographic location.

Please call us at 1-833-43-DRIVE for more information.

Any other questions? Call us at 1-833-433-7483 to speak to one of our recruiters or submit a question below: 

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