Considering flat bedding....

I'm still a rookie, but I've been doing dry van and reefer for most of the last 9 years. Thinking about changing things up in the next year or 2 and learning flat bed....

I'm guessing that I'll need to learn more about load securement and protection from weather.... anything else to know?

What would the typical difference in pay be?

 

Flatbed companies will teach you load securement, etc. before you hit the road.

 

Sign up with a fleet that offers different types of flatbed freight -- this could make life more interesting, & later you can change to other freight -- without changing employers.

For example....with Maverick Transportation, you could work with:

• regular flatbed loads (steel pdts, building mtrls, etc)
• glass (lowboy trailers)
• boats (their marine division)

-- L

 

I recently started flatbed after hauling wood chips for years which was basically sitting in a truck with very little manual labor. In my opinion unless you are wanting more work and challenge in your occupation you probably don’t want to do it.

I enjoy it, but I am 34 and in quite good physical shape. Also I always wanted to do flatbed work. I can guarantee you though that tarping is not for the faint of heart. I can lug a tarp with 8 foot drops to the top of my load on a ladder, but not many do that. I have been tarping in dumping rain in the cold and took my shirt off once I got back in to dry it with my defrost heater. Also wind makes it a real pain.

I try to take pride with my tarping and make it look crisp, but honestly sometimes if the load is odd shaped enough and I’ve spent too long already I kind of figure as long as it isn’t flapping too much it will have to work.

It’s enjoyable for the most part, but if you start out with a bad attitude about tarping you might as well never start because it will give you little reason to change your attitude.

As far as pay goes, I don’t think it’s much better than any other kind of trucking but maybe others would disagree.

 

With 9 yrs. experience, go for the money with hazmat tankers.

 

Right before winter, couldn't think of a better time to start lol

 

If you're hauling the right freight then tarping isn't that big of a deal. Door slamming is boring IMO and nobody is happy to see you. With open deck work you're sitting less, seeing more interesting locations and it's more physical. I see these as benefits. Look into moving equipment if you want to avoid tarps.

 

Or Conestoga

 

I got into flatbedding in 1992 after pulling reefers and dry freight 8 years.Its a very rewarding experience.

 

EX-CEL-LENT advice....

-- L