Dry van vs flatbed for a fairly new driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jbrown87, Apr 24, 2024.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Do you think you can live in a truck with someone else 24/7?
     
    Numb Thanks this.
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  3. Knightcrawler

    Knightcrawler Road Train Member

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    Mpls, Mn oops Ocala, Fl.
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    Not to mention no such thing as a hook and drop ;)
     
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  4. Jbrown87

    Jbrown87 Light Load Member

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    im honestly not sure, I’m a people person and I don’t want to just do things because of money, an I only been otr for 100 days. They only want you to have 25,000 miles. I think I could though
     
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  5. Jbrown87

    Jbrown87 Light Load Member

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    I like those because I can keep it moving but lately it’s been drop an hook pick up empty an sit an sit an sit
     
    Albertaflatbed, Numb and Chinatown Thank this.
  6. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    Charlotte, N.Carolina
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    I would not ever try to train a driver!

    did it a couple of times and it was the worst experience ever.

    I don't trust other people's driving and a truck is too small for 2 people to me.
     
  7. Jbrown87

    Jbrown87 Light Load Member

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    Why was it bad?
     
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  8. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    Aug 19, 2007
    Your Town, USA
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    If you're gonna do open deck general freight, do it while you're young. I drove mostly van and reefer for most of my career, but in 2017 I started hauling glass and in 2022, at 56 years old, I decided to go pull general freight for a sister company of the glass haulers...I like the challenge of it, and the wide variety of stuff they put on my trailer, but it is tough, dirty, and potentially dangerous work...and any flatbed driver will tell you, the biggest drawback is having to tarp, especially if you have to do multi-stop loads where you have to untarp, then retarp after each stop. It is better money than dry van, and right now, it seems as though flatbed is staying steady where dry and reefer freight is slow. I wish I would have started pulling open deck when I was 40.
     
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  9. Jbrown87

    Jbrown87 Light Load Member

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    Yes I’m 37 , I think you guys sold me on it honestly and I been watching old securement a tarp videos . I don’t mind getting dirty or working out an I think the change of pace is what I need
     
    Albertaflatbed and Numb Thank this.
  10. snowmantrucking101

    snowmantrucking101 Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 8, 2017
    Lancaster, SC USA
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    And get paid a whooping $25.00 for tarping.
     
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  11. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Sep 18, 2009
    Memphis, TN
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    Wow they put something on your mind...that's a good pay raise to be so early in your career. I still think I'd go for PI&I if they approve. If not, you've got a pay raise in your back pocket. You're not losing either way.
     
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