Consistency-Van,reefer,flatbed,tanker ?

Well, that's a pretty loaded question...

The only way you'll get true "consistency" is with a dedicated account. Unfortunately you normally can't just walk into those. They need experience.

Van: You can run pretty solid all year long depending on the company you choose. The thing that kicks consistency is the shippers and recievers, if you get delayed there, it can throw your miles off by quite a bit depending on the length of delay.

Flatbed: Great miles in summer, but I would assume it slows down a lot in the winter months. Who wants construction materials in December? Well, Texans, but they have plenty of drivers to handle that. I have no direct experienc so this is only from what I have heard.

Tanker: Again, only from what I've heard. You must have HZM to drive these with almost every company. Good miles if your lucky. A lot of empty miles, so make sure you're paid loaded & unloaded miles.

Consistency is based a a LOT of variables, so this one is very hard to answer.

 

The best shot you have at consistent miles -- barring a dedicated run, is to be as flexible as possible. Like 25(2)+2 said, reefers are probably the most flexible since you can haul temperature controlled loads as well as regular non temp controlled freight. Your chances of being able to get a load out of an area are increased if you have more flexibility. Unfortunately, you may spend more time getting loaded/unloaded, but you should have less sitting between loads. All types of trucking has trade-offs -- like anything in life. You need to decide which ones you can live with and that is the way you should go. As far as running a consistent amount of miles a week, you will be hard pressed to find it. Most weeks at a good company will be fairly consistent, but, you will always have those weeks where things don't work out and you are lucky to hit 1500 miles. I think the guys who have been out there will back me up and tell you to always plan for the 1500 mile week by saving when you can, that way, you don't have to be as concerned when those weeks come up. Good luck.

 

Consistancy is a 5 day a week 9-5 job.....ADVENTURE is trucking !!!
I started with reefers.....the trailer aint bad...but the shippers are bottom feeders. I hated sitting 12 hours waiting to be loaded. I hated being lied to... I hated lumping loads, when we had been told it was all no touch freight. I hated the lack of respect from both shippers and receivers. We traded our reefer for a flatbed....and it was the best decision we have ever made. My hubby had 30 years in pulling a reefer, so I hadta really do some talking....but when I told him that if he ever took me back to Larado, I'd shoot the shipper...he decided it was time for a change. We've been with the same company, hauling flatbed freight for nearly 7 years. The pay is better, the shippers and receivers are great, and treat us with respect. I take the truck out by myself on runs, and have no problem. But the day will never dawn that I start up a truck with a reefer behind it.

 

Even tankers (chemical) has its ups and downs as far as miles go. This time of year is slow because of the holidays and end of year budgets are stretched. Though I'm still new at it. I've found the people you deal with are usually professionals since they are dealing with chemicals. Lots of rules and regs to go by. Oh and they tell me when the weather turns bad we do what the wiggle-wagons do, we park and wait it out.

 

You could probably rule out tankers as all tanker companies require alot of experience, same as car hauler.
Most but not all flat bed companies want atleast a year in also.
The flatbed compaines which would let you in, would require alot more training.
I think most drivers do better starting out with a dry van because simpler and most only other choice is a reefer. Reefers take a more patient driver willing to put up with the grocery warehouses and alot more lumpers. Not saying you won't see these with dry vans but not half as much.
I say more power to the reefer drivers cause I'd probably have to quit before dealing with those warehouses, lumpers and guard shacks at the warehouses.

 

I would say a lot depends on where you live. Like where is downeast? Lets just say its Florida. That being the case I would say the most consistent "miles" I ever got was driving a food grade tanker for Bynum out of Auburndale, Fl. But I see by your bio you have been driving for 4 years. Haven't you made your mind up yet? I have always stayed busy doing flatbed work. Staying busy and consistent miles are not always the same thing as I see it. I stay busy as hell doing oversize and heavy haul, but the mileage can sometimes vary greatly. I sit for days sometimes waiting on permits. But the mileage pay more than compensates. Mileage wise I was always maxed out with Bynum. Food grade tanker is also the easiest type of driving I have ever done. All you do is drive. You don't do anything but stay out of the way when loading and unloading. Now granted, some drive pumper trucks and pump off their load. You get paid extra for that. I however never did that. If you have have the 4 years your bio says and a tanker endorsement (just a written test), Bynum will hire you. I suppose they are hiring. Don't know for sure. I liked flatbed because you never have to deal with lumpers, and all the other horror stories you see on here. Securing different loads is always a mental and physical challenge that I enjoy to this day. I see you are 59 also. Flatbedding may not be for you, if you dont like to "get some exercise", cant be cold or wet or are just plain lazy. Not accusing you of any of those things, don't know you. It is however something to consider. If you are in Florida "downeast" check out Cypress in Jacksonville. TMC has a large presence in Florida now since they bought Terry Dicks Trucking a couple years ago. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

 

HAHA the only thing consistant about trucking is that its consistantly inconsistant.