Why become a flatbedder?

It depends on the company how you are paid for tarping. As has already been noted, you get more efficient and can generate good income per hour.

I guess my flatbed job is an odd duck in terms of securement and especially tarping. In twenty months with this company I tarped a total of two pallets for one of our customers. Other than that I have tarped one lumber load and one load of bentonite in 3000 lb sacks. These were loads I found on a load board to make money getting back to the high dollar loads from my company. I'm a rookie at tarping.

I'm not paid by the mile. I was paid a percentage of revenue to the truck, and now as an owner I continue to pay myself a percentage. There's no tarp pay, it's whatever I negotiate the price to haul the load. Many times I simply deadhead a day or two rather than fool with cheap loads.

 

Tarping is no big deal. I tarp some really big odd ball stuff. (Double Drop) most of the time 3hrs max. A regular flat is a piece of cake. Do I like it? No not really, but it sure beats the hell out of bumping a dock. Plus you get out and move a little. It's good for ya! Over time you learn little tips and tricks and you can knock it out in 45 mins. It still sucks when it cold, hot, wet, and windy. But, hey just man up and get er done!

 

Flatbed is an attitude, you either have it or you don't.

 

And sounds like you have it....j/k

 

its the best way to pass your DOT physical thats why! you see many fat out of shape flatbedders?

 

they could always just haul bricks or shingles if they want LMAO

 

surely you miss grocery warehouse deliveries with all that wonderful fast paced loading and unloading they do

 

Here's the thing, my guess is your not in a flatbed operation, if you were you would get that.

 

I like hard work. Getting payed.
I get payed to tarp, reefer drivers don't. I can get as many miles as a reefer driver too. (Not with my current company LOL)

 

I see plenty. Sometimes I wonder how some of these guys squeeze between the seats into the sleeper, let alone chain a load of coils, then tarp it, with corner protection under all the chains and protection everywhere to protect the tarps....