Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃
  1. Attention employers: We now require a valid DOT# for anyone wishing to post a driving position. If your job offer doesn't contain a DOT number, it will not get past moderation and will not appear in the forum. The other requirements in the sticky at the top of this section are still required as well. Thank you for understanding.

To tarp or not to tarp??

Discussion in 'Trucking Jobs' started by central mi., Feb 28, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 2
  1. Feb 28, 2007 #1
    central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    I am going to school in a week or so to upgrade to a class "A". I have been checking out modular transportation in Grand Rapids ,MI. Anyone heard of them? They seem to have week-ends off and only run in the Mid-west and I prefer to stay in this region as it is closer to my home. The only downfall is that they are a flatbed company. How much of a pain is it to drive a flat-bed vs. a trailer ? Are there any pitfalls? Which would you prefer to do? Being a new-bie to a class "A" soon makes me wonder which direction to take. Any comments would be appreciated.
     
    central mi., Feb 28, 2007
    central mi., Feb 28, 2007
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Feb 28, 2007 #2
    Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

    594
    29
    Jun 11, 2006
    Texas
    0
    It really boils down to preference. I ran flatbed for a short time and absolutely hated it.

    Climbing around on top of loads, dragging and rolling up heavy tarps really wasn't for me, especially when it is cold and raining/snowing.

    If you don't mind that kind of stuff, then the trade of for time spent backed into docks may be worth it for you.
     
    Bullwinkle, Feb 28, 2007
    Bullwinkle, Feb 28, 2007
    #2
  4. Feb 28, 2007 #3
    notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

    10,311
    5,253
    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
    0
    I just say no to tarps!:biggrin:
     
    notarps4me, Feb 28, 2007
    notarps4me, Feb 28, 2007
    #3
  5. Feb 28, 2007 #4
    Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

    594
    29
    Jun 11, 2006
    Texas
    0
    They are especially fun when they are frozen, LOL
     
    Bullwinkle, Feb 28, 2007
    Bullwinkle, Feb 28, 2007
    #4
  7. Mar 1, 2007 #5
    wallbanger

    wallbanger "Enemy of showers everywhere"

    1,399
    88
    Sep 4, 2006
    In the bougy 'burbs of Detroit, MI
    0
    Really, I had no idea!:toothy3:

    Central MI, is there anyone in GR that runs curtainside flatbeds, because you may like those more than regular flats.
     
    wallbanger, Mar 1, 2007
    wallbanger, Mar 1, 2007
    #5
  8. Mar 1, 2007 #6
    central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    I don't know if there is in Grand Rapids or not. I actually live in Lansing and I don't know of any here [not to say there isn't]. I am just looking to drive for some company that at least will get me home every week-end. I just turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and I am not sure if I could physically or realistically take up tarping at this age. It just seems I am limited in what I can do when I get my upgrade "A" in a few weeks. I just want the hometime. I guess I have been lucky in my driving career to have always been home every night. It is just driving me crazy to think I will have to be away from my family for 2 to 3 weeks at a time and get home for a couple days and turn around and have to do it again. I find it a hard pill to swallow ; thats why I am considering this position.
     
    central mi., Mar 1, 2007
    central mi., Mar 1, 2007
    #6
  9. Mar 1, 2007 #7
    pebhvac

    pebhvac Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 27, 2007
    0
    If you want to make multiple drops in congested areas, weigh your wagon, wonder what the #### your hauling and how it's loaded, drop and hook to a junk trailer with no lights and flat tires that some inconsiderate driver left, wait at the docks all day,worry about wind and height then by all means drive a van. I haven't weighed a flatbed in years because I know what's on it. Tarping isn't bad once you find a rythym. Most of the time it isn't necessary. You'll get a good workout and sleep better.
     
    pebhvac, Mar 1, 2007
    pebhvac, Mar 1, 2007
    #7
  10. Mar 1, 2007 #8
    central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    Thanks ; I am glad to finally found someone that isn't anti-tarps. I just figure the home time is probably better on a flat-bed rather than a dry van.
     
    central mi., Mar 1, 2007
    central mi., Mar 1, 2007
    #8
  11. Mar 1, 2007 #9
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    49,806
    235,760
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    I get $24 an hour to pull mine.

    Sometimes you don't know what's on it. Say if you asphalt shingles or something, the manufacturer may have decided to make their product thicker and not bothered to inform the trucking companies who haul their product. They'll save money in freight charges that way. It's happened before.
     
    MACK E-6, Mar 1, 2007
    MACK E-6, Mar 1, 2007
    #9
  12. Mar 2, 2007 #10
    pebhvac

    pebhvac Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 27, 2007
    0
    I've got an air gauge in the cab and on the trailer. I can get pretty darn accurate with these. If my gauges are spiking they'll pull some product off or the truck don't move. As far as shingles are concerned, 15 pallets 4' tall puts me at max. They'll try to add more but this is cheap freight usually and I have flat out refused the load on occasion.
    You can get in trouble with fresh cut (green) wood because the moisture content is deceiving. 9300 board ft. and you're cutting things close. I stay away from the buffet when hauling that.
     
    pebhvac, Mar 2, 2007
    pebhvac, Mar 2, 2007
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2
    Thread Status:
    Not open for further replies.