Is this the WRONG time to get a flatbed?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by scoobertdoo, Nov 25, 2022.

  1. scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

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    oh, I am doing fine. Own two houses, about to get a 3rd down here :p Boat, nice truck, and I just got back from Japan.
    Just need to find my path forward.
    Buying a step deck means I keep 90% instead of 80% so it's a 10% pay increase just with this step.
    I have been watching the boards for 5 months, checking flatbed rates, flatbed out of my area is a solid $2 a mile, lower now than it was too, but once I leave the area the rates seem about the same as reefer.

    Comdata still the best for OSL permits?
     
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  3. Kenworth6969

    Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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    Flatbed rates nothing worth getting into.

    If you want to make better money and go home often move out of Florida.

    Doing that will make you a lot more money vs any trailer you pull and staying in Florida.
     
  4. Kenworth6969

    Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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    It's fantasy land thinking all those loads out there. Can't compare to the past.
    Volume is dead currently.
    Just look at DAT flatbed load to truck. Its lowest I have ever seen.
     
  5. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Sounds a lot like the flatbed market
     
  6. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    I mean i guess if you want to compete against every single other guy out there with steps and ramps... Id think youd have an easier time staying loaded running off load board with a regular flatbed... Just my 2 cents
     
  7. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    I say just do it!!! Your mind appears to already be made up anyhow. Here's a recent thread about car hauling, and the OP also lives in Florida.

    Who the hell is doing single pick/drop .50/mile cars?

    On the bright side when you're hauling two cars for a $buck a mile, atleast you won't need reefer fuel!!!
     
  8. Jubal Early Times

    Jubal Early Times Road Train Member

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    That’s about what I gathered from his post. Ask for advice but dismisses what doesn’t fit his narrative. Oooh well…
     
  9. scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

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    When you get that $7 a mile load to key west, and all there is coming out is a ski boat on a trailer for $1 a mile you load it up or 300 mile deadhead through traffic.

    FYI key west is a nightmare
     
  10. Jubal Early Times

    Jubal Early Times Road Train Member

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    I don’t. I leave it sitting. But I won’t go to key west for 7 bucks either.
     
  11. scoobertdoo

    scoobertdoo Road Train Member

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    I haven't decided anything yet, aside from I am not buying a reefer. I can keep pulling the one I lease now quite happily as long as I wish.
    Every leg of my reefer trips, I look at F and SD rates for my next leg, and see them paying 30 percent more.
     
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