Am I Cut Out For Flatbed?

you couldn't make me haul a box for a lving

 

I saw one last week as well. They look a lot bigger on the highway. What are they made of? Weight? Just curious.

 

Wind blades aren't as heavy as you would think. The blade trailers are much heavier than what they appear. The funny thing about the blades is you get so used to having that thing on the wagon, the turns...everything...that when you shrink the trailer back to 53 ft, it feels like bobtailing. You become so accustomed to compensating for the size that you miss it when its gone.

Theyre made of fiberglass. They build them in sets of 3s and balance them. Your concern is not only your load getting to the destination without any damage, but the other two blades in the set.

 

Its a good bit of exercise (but not really enough to get you in shape without a proper diet). Although, I think I've gained weight since I started doing flatbed and I'm no where close to being in shape which makes it a little hard but I'm not trading flatbed in for a van job anytime soon.

Sent from your local FBI Surveillance Van

 

im thinking about doing flatbed. i been pulling reefers for the last 2 years and dry van before that for a year. any suggestions on what company to go with so i get the good training? i dont want some cut rate company that isnt gonna train me the correct way to secure a load. ive heard that maverick and tmc are probably the best. i know there are other companies out there but those 2 are probably just the most well known. id like to hear from some experienced flatbedders out there as to who they think are the best. rhoel? swift?(kidding) sharkey?(kidding again) any others?

 

I'd say go with tmc. Then move to a higher paying company once you get the experience you need with flats. Chances are the higher paying companies may not train you as much as you may need.

 

There is no such thing as the "BEST" in trucking. All companies will have competent drivers. All companies will have idiots and boneheads.

 

Ok best was the wrong word to use. I guess a better way to say it would be "higher rated according to the drivers" company. Haha

 

The higher rated companies will have a waiting list and will probably require several years experience. IMO, from what I've seen about them, I would say JK Hackl (sp.) would be probably the highest rated company for flatbed as far as company trucks go. Then maybe Keen and Lonestar. You can look the trucks and tell they're serious players.