A VERY HONEST OR SINCERE ANSWERS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

No worries brother. I have respect for anyone who is doing their research to make a big change in their operations. It's not always easy and it can be a large financial burden if not thought out. Good luck with the changeover.

 

This is the sound of a good business person. One area don't work try another. Many owners get stuck in their routines, oftentimes to their own demise.

 

I totally agree. Once you get stuck in a rut itnis hard to get out of it and make a successful change. Getting in the seat and driving the truck is not the only part of being a successful owner operator. There are so many more things to take care of other than shifting gears and getting fuel. Making a complete change in your operation requires research, advice and common sense. I think the OP has done well so far by recognizing it may be time to make a change and then asking for some good, honest advice.

 

Financial decisions before emotional decisions

 

A few more items to consider.
where do you think you will run? Have you given consideration to the lanes you can service?
What cargo do you think you can reasonably load?
Do you have any flatbed experience? Do you have someone that can provide a bit of mentoring if not?
Even getting a basic set of good used equipment will run about 2k, do you have that in the budget?
Do you have any brokers you work with now, and have you talked to them about open deck work?
Do you have 6 months of cash available to cover your home and truck expenses?



From what I have been seeing out here right now, a lot of empty flats running. Not to say that freight is not available, it is. Just that running empty or long DH’s for some segments seems to be a bit more of the norm right now. Open deck in general is in a bit of over capacity. Will that be the situation in 3 or 6 months, or even this same time next year. No way to truly predict.

The following is my personal perspective.
In your OP, you ask is it a good time to switch to flatbed. Flatbed is work, rain, snow, cold, heat, 117 mph wind, whatever the weather is, your out in it. (we’re known to have questionable mental health) When loading or unloading, that includes tarps.
Then you say, “ If it doesn’t work out, I can sell the trailer”. What’s your time frame? 3 months maybe 6 or more? Thing about flatbed, the megas are a known. They have a reputation for what they do, the shippers know what their getting into. You have no reputation in flatbed, that takes time to build. Can you go that time? It can take time, lots of time.

Why bring this up? You have started to plan a failure. You already have that in your mind. Why else would you have written that statement?

I would suggest that you NOT make the change.

 

Good luck man! I wish you the best!

 

If you see a flatbed and say "i wanna try climbing up on that pile one handed with a tarp on my shoulder" then just jump in. its easy if you love the challenges and struggles.

If you say "flatbed loads avg 23c a mile over van loads" then forget it.

You made it this far with a van, praise the Lord, youll do just fine in a flat.