Why do some truckers dislike flatbed trucking

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lonewolf403, Sep 12, 2010.

  1. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Oh great...One of LaHood's lackey's are probably reading this and is going tell LaHood.....
    LaHood will then ban all boxes on trailers....:biggrin_25516::biggrin_25510:
     
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  3. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    I personally enjoy the hard work that is involved in flatbedding. It is my way of staying in shape and I get paid for it! I do not even mind the lumber tarps in 100 deg weather!
    Piece of cake!!!!
     
  4. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Good luck on the skateboard.

    I have van, flatbed and two hoppers.

    Not giving up on hopper at all, I needed the hopper for harvest and learned that they are harder to find as harvest approaches. When in town have pulled a couple loads. But also have another farm hand that we hired. So I have a deposit on an '05 Int 9400 that should arrive next week. This guy will pull the hopper on a part-time basis and I hope take a couple of my direct van loads. If not, I will be pulling the van at least once a month until we can hire another driver that is more interested in OTR, lease an O/O and/or broker it out.

    We have a lot going on and growing faster than I had planned but the opportinities keep presenting themselves. Will post more about that in the O/O section.
     
  5. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Thanks for thoughts on boxes. Being that I currently drive a 780 with APU I am looking to get the weight back as far as possible. But in front of front axel should not be an issue. Plus if I do that maybe I could get away with one big box and save a little money.
     
  6. Driverbb

    Driverbb Bobtail Member

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    I dont know anything about tmc other then what other drivers have said.. mostly they say their trucks are to slow.. now for me I've been doing flatbed for over a year now.. for me it was a best thing I ever did for myself. I've lost just under 50 lbs gotten back into shape. I'm eatting better but now on the bad side if someone cant take the heat or the cold wind,rain or whatever mother nature can throw at you. or if your scared of heights ya just better not try
     
  7. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    I've been pullin' flats with boxes between the axles since the 80's and have never had any of the problems you describe.

    Quit beatin' your equipment Les...It'll last longer!:biggrin_25523:

    I'm a pretty big guy and have no problem getting under there.


    FLATBEDDIN' AINT FOR SISSIES!
     
  8. Les2

    Les2 Road Train Member

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    No need for boxes on my wagon.....:biggrin_25513:

    I should say if you are gonna haul coils or loads concentrated in the middle you will have problems.
     
  9. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Is this because of drive weight? Can't you get them to position them to make weight? What good is the spread axel if you can't take advantage of it.
     
  10. Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    I'm not sure I understand his point...

    But I've hauled a coil or 2 on spread axle flat beds, with no problems.

    He may have been referring to heavy belly loads in a van trailer (heavy loads, sitting on a very small amount of trailer floor)...which IS a bad idea. Vans aren't built for it...notice the difference in frame rails.
     
  11. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Yeah, done that a couple times because the rate was so good but UGH, wasn't going to make a regular thing out of it.

    Local guy does heavy coil with 880 with headache rack and all with no problems. Did notice they sit back a bit from center but wanted to check so don't show up and get turned away becasue I can't scale and they will only load in center of trailer.

    But even still that would only be an issue on 48k+ loads.
     
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