Why do flatbed over van/reefer? I don't see the extra money

I think its the challenge. I've yet to pull a load but I have less than zero interest in drop and hook with a box. Couldn't pay me enough to do it.

 

Flats use to pay more, way more, so a lot of people started doing it.
White Volvos and beat up Freightshakers only used to do boxes and containers, but a lot of them switched in the last few years, with stepdecks becoming extremely popular

 

Truckers are paid what they're willing to work for.

 

I do flatbed because I like it, not for the money.

A couple weeks ago I had to cover the dry van route where I work. It is essentially like ltl, going from stop to stop, take a few pallets off, put some returns back on. Go to next stop, take it all off, put more returns on. Moving heavy pallets around inside a 200 degree trailer. Climbing in and out of trailer because most stops don’t have a dock. No thanks, not for me. I’ll stick with the flats lol.

 

Yeah it does get boring but in my neck of the woods it's pretty much paying what flat freight is.

I really miss pulling a pneumatic

 

Because, flatbed has many advantages over a box. While more demanding physically, I've found, flatbed loads,( or tanker) the customer on the other end is usually waiting for your goods and unlike a box, where it's , "park along the fence, we'll come and get you", meaning, they don't need or have room for your delivery. If I ever trucked again, and that won't happen, but I'd do flatbed today.

 

As an O/O that runs regional and tries to stay close to home flatbed has more demand in my area.
Also, with flat I usually get loaded and unloaded quite quickly. I start getting antsy at the 30 minute mark. Also, I never have to deal with lumpers.
I've also made the choice not to tarp. Yes, I've missed out on some loads but not many. I may eventually buy a set of 4 or 6 foot drops but so far I'm doing fine.