Tanker vs Flatbeds vs Van Pay differences

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Giorgio, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. Giorgio

    Giorgio Light Load Member

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    Mar 25, 2011
    American South West
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    My Flatbed question thread had numerous posters that explained the differences in flatbed and vans insofar as pay goes and so forth. And the posts and threads like Schmud's and Godfather's really peaked my interest in flatbeds.

    I just saw an ad for a trucking company, Prime, that had mileage pay rates listed for O/O. Never mind if they are accurate or "nit picking" the amounts and whether they are good or bad, it is how they relate to each other that is of interest to me.

    Here they are:

    Reefers at 1.60
    Flats at 1.49
    Tankers at 1.80.

    So dry vans get paid less than the others if a company does all four. Is that right?

    I understand now the flatbeds pay over vans and the extra work involved.

    Why the much higher pay for tankers and quite a bit more for reefers?

    I have all of my endorsements so I get the basic tanker stuff. But I have no clue as to the pay differences between these three nor why tankers get paid so much? Or reefer drivers?

    Thanks as always for the answers people!
     
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  3. AXE

    AXE Road Train Member

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    Jul 2, 2010
    Chandler, AZ
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    If I had to guess (which I am!)
    Tanker because it takes more skill due to tank surge etc.
    Reefer because it's perishable product.
     
  4. caddy59

    caddy59 Light Load Member

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    Dec 14, 2010
    Ontario, Canada
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    Plus, reefers generally don't haul stuff that can blow up in your face if you aren't paying 100% attention.

    As for why reefers would pay more, well, I think it would be due to the fact that you also not only have the perishable product thing, but you also have to keep an eye on your equipment too. IE: Run out of reefer fuel, and it stops working.........suddenly, next thing you know, the ice cream has turned back into cream with chunks of things in it.
     
  5. Longshot34

    Longshot34 Light Load Member

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    Jul 3, 2010
    InTheSticks, USA
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    I don't know about all this... I pull a flatbed for a small company. In fact I just started with this company but my previous employer (also strictly flatbed) had a pay scale very similar to the company I just signed on to...
    Tarping: $30
    Untarping: $10
    Strapping: $15
    Unstrapping: $5
    Chaining: $35
    Unchaining: $15
    Per single drop: $40
    Split Load (2 or more drops) $30 per drop

    I personally think this is Excellent pay!!!!! Not to mention I get a $15 a day dinner allowance! When I add that up at the end of the week those extras can add several hundred dollars to the per mile pay! Of course not all companies pay so much for these extras, if anything at all! I've been chasing this company for a year because of what they pay for the extras...I finally got on last week. Sorry I'm not gonna tell the name of the company...they have 2 more positions open and I really hope my Dad and a buddy of mine can get on with them. I just thought I give an example of how some companies pay you for more then just driving...
     
  6. Longshot34

    Longshot34 Light Load Member

    174
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    Jul 3, 2010
    InTheSticks, USA
    0
    I don't know about all this... I pull a flatbed for a small company. In fact I just started with this company but my previous employer (also strictly flatbed) had a pay scale very similar to the company I just signed on to...
    Tarping: $30
    Untarping: $10
    Strapping: $15
    Unstrapping: $5
    Chaining: $35
    Unchaining: $15
    Per single drop: $40
    Split Load (2 or more drops) $30 per drop

    I personally think this is Excellent pay!!!!! Not to mention I get a $15 a day dinner allowance! When I add that up at the end of the week those extras can add several hundred dollars to the per mile pay! Of course not all companies pay so much for these extras, if anything at all! I've been chasing this company for a year because of what they pay for the extras...I finally got on last week. Sorry I'm not gonna tell the name of the company...they have 2 more positions open and I really hope my Dad and a buddy of mine can get on with them. I just thought I give an example of how some companies pay you for more then just driving...
     
  7. Longshot34

    Longshot34 Light Load Member

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    Jul 3, 2010
    InTheSticks, USA
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    Page editor, Please remove the double post... I don't know how that happened but just one post would be fine. :) Thanks!
     
    u4icwargasm Thanks this.
  8. TreeStand

    TreeStand Light Load Member

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    Jan 5, 2011
    Grabill In
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    What is the per mile pay?
     
  9. Allan M

    Allan M Medium Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
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    The rates are higher for tankers because your miles are much lower.
    I've been pulling them for 3 yrs now and only average around 100,000 miles per year. Typically you load and drive one day, unload and get your trailer cleaned the next day and then start the cycle over again the following day. You never know if it's going to take 2 hrs or 6 hrs to get unloaded at these plants so the trucking companies are afraid to schedule you too tight on reloads and also most tanker schedules are made by the customer with the assumption that you are starting the trip with a full 14 hrs available.
     
  10. Longshot34

    Longshot34 Light Load Member

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    Jul 3, 2010
    InTheSticks, USA
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    As a company driver $.43 per odometer mile, loaded or empty. Avg 2500-3000 mi per week. Oversize loads vary but for the company driver it can pay up to $.72 per mile. Obviously Oversize pay is ONLY when loaded. We haul anything and everything that can be put on a flatbed. For the amount of experience I have, I'd say I got WAY lucky on landing this gig!
    O...almost forgot, any backhaul, 4,000 lbs or 40,000 lbs, pays an extra $30 flat on top of the miles. With my previous employer that didn't happen! But with my previous employer I got home just about every other night, and some weeks every night, just depended...with these guys I'm on the road Sunday night thru Friday night. That's the only thing I dont care for because I have 3 kids...but hey, that should be expected when you get into this business!
     
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