Why do some truckers dislike flatbed trucking

**oldmacksrule** · 09.19.2010

I got so tired of the "can't back" jokes at the truckstops.

I'd LOVE to see a dock-bumper jack 90 degrees between the same two trees off a single lane road I did once, and then back the same 300 yards on an improvised cut through some tight woods to a homesite. In the rain.

The load was a single, custom, exotic wood beam for a gazillion-dollar house being built in South Hampton, Long Island.

When the difficulty became obvious after measuring and walking everything, the site boss offered me $100 just to try, and said there'd be another $100 if I did it.

Made it on the second attempt.

Made the guy so happy he added a $50 "tip" to that for a total of $250.

OooRAH! Flatbedding rulz, dudes.

**notarps4me** · 09.19.2010

The road I showed was about 6 foot high. It slopped off slowly at a slant. There was curves and straights, but about 5 miles off the rural road. About 10 miles to get to this dirt path. This rural road was not made for a truck just to get to the 5 miles of dirt path. Wicked curves. When I kicked this load off I thought how in the heck am I going to get out of here? No way I was backing all the way out. I found a dry creek bed and backed off in it to turn around. I kept thinking I am going to bury this pete....

**fnlou88** · 09.19.2010

...more than one dry van/reefer driver hit/damage my truck at a truck stop when I was with McElroy. The biggest hazzard is the NON-FLATBED driver at a truck stop. Flatbedders know how their trailers respond (especially spreads) and don't want to risk the headache of a "reportable" accident. Besides, by the time a flatbedder is ready to hit the truck stop, all the 300 lbs. dry van/reefer drivers have taken up every available parking space within 500 yards of the buffett. We flatbedders consider the long walk from the back of the lot the easiest part of our day. I spent many an hour watching a dry van/reefer driver spend a half an hour trying to squeeze into some front row spot just to be able to waddle into the buffett from only 20 yards out

**oldmacksrule** · 09.19.2010

Originally Posted by fnlou88

Besides, by the time a flatbedder is ready to hit the truck stop, all the 300 lbs. dry van/reefer drivers have taken up every available parking space within 500 yards of the buffett. We flatbedders consider the long walk from the back of the lot the easiest part of our day. I spent many an hour watching a dry van/reefer driver spend a half an hour trying to squeeze into some front row spot just to be able to waddle into the buffett from only 20 yards out

That's some USDA Prime quality trash talk, there.

**Tach** · 09.19.2010

Mmmmmmm.....I do believe you fellas have chased all the boxers home

**canuck in da truck** · 09.19.2010

i have done both flatbedding and van trailers--i love the flat bed in the summer--but when old man winter comes--i sure dont mind just banging a dock and heading back to the bunk for a nap---especially for the same pay--unless of course it is a tarp load--

**HEAVY DUDE** · 09.19.2010

Originally Posted by fnlou88

...more than one dry van/reefer driver hit/damage my truck at a truck stop when I was with McElroy. The biggest hazzard is the NON-FLATBED driver at a truck stop. Flatbedders know how their trailers respond (especially spreads) and don't want to risk the headache of a "reportable" accident. Besides, by the time a flatbedder is ready to hit the truck stop, all the 300 lbs. dry van/reefer drivers have taken up every available parking space within 500 yards of the buffett. We flatbedders consider the long walk from the back of the lot the easiest part of our day. I spent many an hour watching a dry van/reefer driver spend a half an hour trying to squeeze into some front row spot just to be able to waddle into the buffett from only 20 yards out

Flatbedder you hit the nail straight on.

**REDD** · 09.20.2010

Originally Posted by fnlou88

all the 300 lbs. dry van/reefer drivers have taken up every available parking space within 500 yards of the buffett. We flatbedders consider the long walk from the back of the lot the easiest part of our day.

I think you meant to say 500 pound reefer drivers... Hell, I'm pushing 300 pounds myself & will out flatbed your McElroy ### any day!

**groundpounder** · 09.20.2010

Originally Posted by oldmacksrule

I got so tired of the "can't back" jokes at the truckstops.

I'd LOVE to see a dock-bumper jack 90 degrees between the same two trees off a single lane road I did once, and then back the same 300 yards on an improvised cut through some tight woods to a homesite. In the rain.

Its a good thing a 4 year man like yourself was on the job that day or that load would not have gotten delivered, nobody on this site or in trucking could have done what you did your the man..