I switched from reefer to flatbed. Did my PSD n TNT on the reefer side, but wanted flatbed, so I switched. Would NEVER go back to reefer. Sitting for hours waiting on wally's world to get around to unloading the trailer, paying the lumpers, appointment times... Flatbed is a lot more work than pulling a box, but also take more pride in it. Flatbedders actually put effort into their loads, and their work is visible to the world. If you dont secure it properly, it wont be on the trailer for long. I take great pride in getting my loads to the customer. It can be a lot of hard work, but well worth it for the rewards you get.
As a flatbedder I'd have to say it all depends upon two things: 1)Are you O.T.R. or Local and 2)What is the weather going to be like. If you are O.T.R. - you can pack up/prepare/plan for any event/weather and you can always change clothes if you need to before you take off with your load. If you are local (as I am now), days like today can suck. Temperature was 45 degress and steady rain. I had stuff that needed to be tarped and I also had 9 stops to do. Each and every stop (customer) I had to un-bungiee, un-tarp, re-bungiee. retarp. Got up at 3:00am to be at work at 4:00am. Finished the route at 2:00pm....soaking wet from head to toe, worn out and freezing. But......on the other hand.....I am home now showered and warm and sitting at my PC in my own home till tommorrow at 6:00am so....I guess I should stop ######## huh?
A question like that can never be answered. There's too many variables. What you're hauling, where, when , and so on. I pulled a van that was slave labor. We run team and every drop we both had to get out an unload ourselves. Sometimes that meant 1300 boxes in one warehouse. Then I hauled heavy equipment. It took more skill but much easier on the body.
I've got a question about the wind, you guys say not to be on it, so how do you keep it from blowing away in the wind? Can you like tie it to the trailer or something while your getting it all bungied down? American Trucker
usually if you roll out the rear tarp, keep it close to the load as possible that'll help keep it on..if it's looking like it wants to get up and go anyway (before you can roll out the front tarp) hop down and bungee the corners and maybe one or more in the middle. then back up on top to roll out front and repeat. sometimes you can use the wind to your advantage...sometimes I've only ever done flatbed/open deck work. did mixed load multi stop multi tarp down thru nyc up to 15 stops a day. now i do primarily single stop...and maybe half loads are tarped loads. so i can't say my job is "hard" lol easiest job i ever had in terms of the physical output I love it, but it's not for everybody, same as trucking in general
Flatbedding is totally different t from van and I guess like everyone says it depends on the type of person you are if you enjoy actually working and don't mind a challenge then flatbed will be a rewarding thing I switched to flatbed a few weeks ago and have no plans of going back to reefer I like having the different loads and having to figure out the best way to secure it properly
I went with flatbed because it does require more work. And it is more hands on. And I did not want the same old run everyday.
I've never flat bedded but the low(er) profile of the trailer appeals to me. I hate getting blown around in a van.
You'll still get blown around, but if the load is short it's not nearly as bad. Nicer empty about getting pushed around, but an empty flat is pretty squirrely on wet/icy roads. I still love it and wouldn't trade it.
