Those who left flatbed , why did you do it?

Mad props to you flatbedders. You couldn't pay me enough to do that.

 

Right now it's winter + the van rates at least in my area are right up there with flatbed rates. My dad's almost 60 is part of the reason but we still plan on getting at least 1 skate. Got a few easy peasy stuff around us. 3 pipe places and precast concrete. I'd rather not mess with tarps other than a smoke tarp or 2 if i can help it

And local Pa blue stone quarries

 

Left flatbed for long haul reefer. Make about twice now than I did pulling a step or double drop.

 

Done tanker, flatbed, ltl, and reefer. Making about the same money now pulling a van, I dont even feel like I work now.

 

Ran Flatbed's for a couple of years.. the company was just pretty cheap and of course didn't pay much. Day cabs, the hotel network was garbage, lots of working for free.. lots of waiting for something to happen. Liked hauling the stuff that was square.. lol.. disliked hauling the sheet metal for trailers.. there was absolutely no way to get through a load without shredding the tarp.. there wasn't enough corner protection in the world. Also.. Wisconsin in the winter was not a lot of laughs.

 

^^^^This right here is why I love open deck..
I too feel it's probably the 1 brotherhood left in trucking. I'm a bit thick headed sometimes, & have asked other drivers from time to time how they would secure a piece, or why are you doing something this way or that. They have never gave me any sheet about it, & were happy to lend hand/knowledge.. Just as I am happy to help out when asked.. We'd all rather be asked than to see an open deck brother dump half his load on the boulevard..

Funny you mentioned end dump, as it also appeals to me..

 

Yea you summed it up nicely. That and the oilfield guys are a pretty tight group

 

Not really tons of problems just picky. Demanding actually. They want those coils perfect. And those stamp machines near the unloading bay are HUNGRY. One of the bosses in charge of intake was a bit of a .. battleaxe. But I would be nice to her anyway because a word from her and I can forget anymore loads there.

The worst of it for me is once out by 8 am Ive had that day to race back to Logan County empty to fetch another three coils or whatever. Asap. And try to be back the following morning. I got into the groove very well. But it would be a team operation in today's ELD.

 

Don't think end dump is any easier then flat's. You tarp and untarp each load, product froze to the box in the winter, lining the box with plastic, all the wash outs, and not to forget the scrap yards. Cleaning all the snow and ice off your tarp is real fun crawling on top the load on your back beating the ice off so you can untarp and not get any ice or snow in the product.

 

Pulled a little bit of flat bed and low bed, didn’t mind it, but I can make the same/more money with a reefer and do less work

I will put a bullet in my head before I EVER have to look at a bucket in my mirror again