I'll be graduating soon and am taking a hard look at Modular out of Grand Rapids, MI. At the same time... I'm trying to look at SMX (Smithway). At any rate, I'm really leaning toward flatbed. It just sounds like more work, and being part Amish, well...

If anybody has anything to say about either one of these companies, working in the Mid-West region, or flatbedding in general, I'm all ears.

Flatbedding is not all that people make it out to be. Sure it's nice to work with your hands securing that load and tarping it, but most flatbed companies pay you squat for all of that hard work. I trained with TMC for 3 weeks and that was long enough to figure out that there wasn't any money in it. Folding tarps in pouring down rain, high winds, and extreme cold was a waste of effort. The only thing that I got out of it was driving experience, which I used to get my next job.

If you want to drive and use your hands as well as get paid for it, drive a cement or garbage truck. At least they're (companies) are union and you'll make the money that you'll never make driving flatbeds for Modular or any other flatbed company. I hate to sound harsh, but it's the truth. Modular seems like a good company, I almost worked for them but my driving record wasn't good enough. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Training for 3 weeks is not long enough to even know if there is any money to be made. Some of the +'s to flatbedding is usually quicker unloads, not sitting as much, not going deep into a city to deliver, etc. There is all kinds of things that add up to more money, but 3 weeks is not long enough to explore that.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

It takes a special person to be a flatbedder. Don't listen to the nay sayers if thats what you want to.

Platform work can be very rewarding. Yes there are parts of it that really suck. Tarping in a wind, rolling up tarps in the wind and rain are no fun, but the challenge of securing odd freight so that it arrives in the exact spot you loaded it with no damage is rewarding. Often platform does not take you to the inner city warehouses and stores. We all know that makes for a lot more stress with traffic and very tight streets.

A successful platform hauler is a far better driver than a bump the dock, wait to be unloaded, slam the doors and drive on down the road to the next load driver.

Once again don't listen to the naysayers if you really want to do flat.


Just remember........ flatbedders do it with straps and chains.

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Hey I just said that mod!

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Thanks for your perspective. Especially coments regarding hauling trash and cement. Alot of truth there. One thing I want to say though, regarding "paying squat" for tarping... my research reveals that average starting pay for "door slammers" with 0 experience is 28-32 cpm per vrs. flatbedders # 34-38. (allthough many flatbed companies pay % of load, which I'm still trying to wrap my head around). At this point, I have to believe most flats just take the % number and divide by the miles to get a cpm number to co-relate in deciding whether or not to take the load. Hold on, I feel another thread coming on...

Don't work for much less than 25%. Its not worth it, I was paying myself 30% of the linehaul and tarp charges before I sold my truck to take a local job.

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Roehl is a good company and may be available in your area.

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Another thing to watch is some companies haul the high dollar freight others drag the cheap stuff. I guess it all boils down to knowing that you aren't being stiffed on the %

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Geeez, you guys are quick! Please continue on new thread when you get a chance.