Living in the truck

I consider myself a paid tourist who hauls cargo from time to time to support my sightseeing habits ...

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Do you say that because you don't want to do the extra work because you might be in for a surprise. Also you'll get to do laundry twice as often doing flatbed as compared to van, especially in the summer. Your dog might be an issue as well, even going lease route.

 

Come on drivers, give the man a break. To say things that have been said is crazy. Not a single soul here knows him or his wife. They could get along great running the roads. Lots of couples have done it. I know a few myself that have done it for years and there entire marriage was on the road. There are some great women out there that can and will do it. It will for sure test the marriage. Don't know about flat bedding would be the pick though. Myself I love it. But for some the tarping in 60 mile an hour wind whens sleeting isn't there cup of tea. I have just learned to adapt and buy clothes that go with the weather. As for a lease purchase through a company, I would never do it and would do my darndest to talk someone out of it. They are geared for the companies interest not the driver. Hope this helps and the best of luck to you in your endeavors

 

Give Sammons a call. Decent company. If you don't want to tarp, you don't have to tarp. If you're wanting to truck and travel and whatnot in a big sleeper, why not look into the bed buggers? Biggest sleepers around.

Having the war department rolling with you full time could also open up avenues in the ammunition hauling and other high security loads where one person has to be with the truck at all times when it's loaded. $$$$$

 

What the devil is a "bed bugger?"

 

Movers like Atlas etc...

 

When my husband worked for Melton, I helped with the strapping, tarping, bungees etc. I think I miss flatbedding more than him, but I got to "hide" in the sleeper at quite a few shippers, which usually was a 6 hr nap for me and a nitemare for him. Usually ended up being coils. Not that it matters now.

IDK why you would think their is less work in flatbedding than dryvan or refer, my husband has touched freight on one load dryvan and if he had wanted to he could have said "no, not my job". Plenty of companies that have 100% no touch freight, I don't think their is such a thing in flatbed. Even heavy haul has to check chains and binders. You could be picking up and delivering on the same day, which is quiet a bit of work, depending on the loads, in flatbedding.

We both actually liked working for Melton, but had issues with a couple things. They might not be issues for others, so I won't go there. It was alot of work, more often than not in sucky weather conditions.

We've been married for 12 yrs, together OTR, less than a yr. It's definetly not for everyone, but it's also not that bad. Now I don't drive, I do all the paperwork, "housework" and deal with most of the shippers/receivers. I went from a full time management job ( I actually made more money than him ) to full time "housewife". We both get cranky at times, spending 24/7 with anyone can be a strain, when it gets to bad, we take time off and spend at least a day of it away from each other. Or I will grab an e-book and disapear into that world for a day or so. And yes the hubby lets me cause he needs the time also. It is better outa the truck though.

 

I'd try Buchanan Hauling and Rigging. you'll usually get time off on the weekends, with the money you save not renting you should be able to grab hotels. I'm not much of one for having someone in the truck with me, but I prefer occasional hotels to paying rent somewhere I'm never there. I don't really get all the guys want to be OTR truck drivers and then all they want to do is get home. makes more sense to me to get hotels and rental cars occasionally and go out exploring a bit.

 

freebird, I have the sense from your original post that want to drive and not hassle that much with other aspects of physical labor. As many have pointed out, flat bedding often has hard physical labor and it can be dirty. Expedited freight is a great option. If you want to drive then look into companies like CRST that have almost 100% drop and hook (less time waiting to get loaded or unloaded). More driving means more money anyway.