Is is safe to go back into the (flatbed) water?

This is an excellent question!

I myself am thinking of returning to the world of flatbed.

I talked with Melton who informed me that they have actually been turning down freight for the first time in two years. They told me their drivers were averaging between 2200 - 2500 miles a week. The lady also said that they are running a lot of freight into and out of Canada.

I spoke with Boyd and she said that they are averaging about the same.
I actually worked for Boyd in the past and ran really good miles = good money. But that was before the bottom fell out.

While things may be better, I don't think they will ever be the same and even if they are good right now, in about 5-6 months it's gonna tank again through the winter.

Please let us know how things are really going out there!

 

One of the ways to determine freight is keep an eye on the housing market. If people are building and buying or remodeling flats run pretty decent. Most of the steel loads will increase after the housing kicks in.

 

Take it for what it's worth, but I heard on the Lockridge Report last week that currently in the flatbed segment, there are 46 available loads for each truck. Looks to me like flatbed is picking up. That's based on a study done by some group and was quoted on his show one day last week.

 

It's very cold and usually slow on the freight side. Everything freezes! LOL

 

I think it's picking up and a lot of people are cautious and stalling so it might be a good time to get going. Good luck!

 

It will vary from season to season. Most of the time it will slow from oct-jan. Kicks real hard about may. There have been times when it stayed steady all year. You lose a lot of construction freight. ( road work, shingles etc, but steel runs all year. (Coils for factories, auto's, soup cans, aluminum foil, etc.) Can be wicked cold. Most places you will have to tarp inside or if they are busy pin 4 corners of your tarp and go outside to finish. Chicago, places like that wicked wind off the lake....

When you get to where you are going; tarps are frozen solid. If you pull them off outside they are frozen stiff and it is like trying to roll a barn up. If you pull them inside they will thaw and are soaking wet and nasty. Too me flats is my favorite. They are even worth the troubles of the winter. I have pulled vans, tankers, doubles, dumps, but I like flat more than anything. Flatbedders are a whole different breed of truckers. You will see that in just about every sitting. Flatbedders tend to have a tighter respect for one another and often will not be squabbling like the van fellars do.

Not saying they don't have issues. There are jerks in all kinds of trucking, but flats have a more common bond as a rule. More apt to help more and look out for one another more. I have found vans to be more cut throat than flats.

 

Ill tend to agree with that post,,my step and another flat were getting loaded with some tube I was on top and working to stay ahead dropping 8ft ...then the other driver hoped up on my trailer and started helping on the other end......WOW however freight is eclectic. I know the price of equipment has dropped for used trailers...

 

Absolutely, I'm always willing to help out a fellow flatbedder whether it is tarping, strapping, or whatever.

We are a strange breed! My wife can not understand why anyone would want to pull flats - all that work, always dirty, not to mention the danger involved.

I was happy pulling vans and reefers - until I pulled my first flatbed load. I love the work and the challenges that it brings. I kinda look at flatbedders as the special forces of the trucking industry...because you have to be crazy to do it! (LOL)