Pros/Cons of flatbeds,reefers,dry box etc...

Oh and to add to that long list you get exercise with flatbed. I like flat bedding the best but it just sucks to be in 100/-10 degree weather putting tarps on. As far as Werner we get people at our store all the time from Werner and they say they don't get miles and they treat them like crap. I've heard good things about Arrow and you can also look at Prime inc and Roehl.

 

The best thing about a flatbed to me is you can just about always have it loaded the way you want. Even if it's preloaded you can look at it and look at your drive tire gauge and tell about what the weight is. Plus the 40,000 lbs.you get on your spread axles gives you more room for movement than only getting 34,000 lbs.on your van tandems. I've seen a lot of drivers at truckstops wondering what to do with a poorly loaded van.

I suppose the good thing about a van is you never have to pull oversize??

 

Ok So Im confused... ( Kinda easy to do these days) Correct me if IM wrong. As flatbedders you try to work your way up to oversize loads because they pay better? IM honestly asking cuz I dont know. I have always heard that you FB try to work your way up oversize BC the pay is so much better. IS oversize really wanna of the cons of FB?


Gator

 

You can only pull oversized in good weather in the daylight. You have to stop at every scale. You have to drive the route designated on the permits and can't go through cities during a curfew. You have to worry a lot.

It better pay a LOT better. Regular freight is better IMO. I can usually pull two loads in the time it takes to screw around with an oversize.

Some O/O's make big bucks doing it ,though. It depends on what you get.

 

Figure i'd throw in my two cents here. I pull reefer and dry van. I seriously thought about being a skateboard, little 'wait' time sitting for a dock to open, you just pull in, and get forked.

the thing i didnt like, was the tarp/strapping. You have a problem while on the road, notice one of your straps came off, now your tarp is flying around, flapping in the wind...you have to pull over and secure it. even in 50mph winds, all sorts of bad weather. I'll just close my barn doors, and roll. =)

 

Right on Zincman!!! That was a very good analogy of pros and cons. Good job and Happy New Year!!!

 

Depends if that is what you want to pull. There are alot of rules and restrictions on O/D loads. You have alot more sit time because of city curfews and you have to preplan where you are going to be when the sun goes down or you will be out in the middle of nowhere when you have to shut down.
I love hauling O/D loads in part that they throw more of a securement challenge. You have to know your height and weights and get your pilot car set up and hope you get a good one. A bad pilot car can make going thru a city a nightmare.

 

I have b=never pulled a FB but honestly thought about it. I dont mind doing a little extra work, heck with dry bulk tank we did all the work. Loading, unloading, climbing rail cars ect. I checked with TMC and they seem to have a pretty good program. I have to be honest my only hangup was going on the road for 3 or 4 weeks with a trainer. I know that sounds very petty and I know the training is VERY neccesary. Im just to set in my ways I guess.

Anyway Now I know thanks

gator

 

You need to find your one nich. I fly a scatebord or heavh haul. Some don't like tarping. I don't like loading even pallats. or wateing for houers to load. Flat bed power on and off and you hardley wate to load. meany times box has moor than one p/u or drops Flats usley one pick one drop. heavy haul eather drives on & off or by crain

 

I think that 10 bux for tarp pay is a little more than an insult.