Should a rookie start off pulling vans or flatbed?

I started on flatbed right out of CDL school and it's gone fine. I think one of the criteria for liking flatbed or not is whether you enjoy solving puzzles. Figuring our how to safely secure some of the crazy loads we get is like solving a new puzzle. And yes, the work is much more physical so you get a pretty good workout, if that's what you want. (I did.)

Yeah, I heard the "flatbedders don't have to back much" thing too when I was in school. Don't you believe it. Backing up a loaded spread-axle flatbed is arguably harder than a van or reefer that has a close tandem on the back -- the van or reefer, you can basically spin on a dime but on a spread axle you'll rip the trailer tires off their rims if you try that. But, back up you must, just with a larger turning radius. And I've often had to back into "slot" docks at steel mills, machinery plants, etc. where you have concrete platforms a couple inches to either side of the trailer so they can side-load the trailer with a forklift from the platforms. That's one of the cases where setup is everything.

Whatever you decide, there are a lot of trucking skills at apply equally to all the fleet types so don't sweat it too much. Good luck!

Oh...living in Ohio, you should be in a pretty good position to get decent flatbed freight.

 

I would suggest finding a flat bed carrier to train and start out with . If your a out door person ...rain snow sleet and ice , setting tarps in the wind ,the climbing ,throwing chains in it all .
Go flat bed from the start .and to be direct ...youll love it or hate it ....Its the fever man !

 

I have just found the reason I didn't go flat bedding! I have always wondered why I went into Dry Van and been here ever since! this has answered the long questions! Thank You for answering this long asked question!. Thanks.

 

When I went to a company school we had a van and flatbed division. If you even considered flatbed your initial training is when you want to make your move. It's easier to convert to a van. The backing might be an issue but by then you should have enough experience backing at truck stops that it's not an issue.

Keep in mind flatbed is more relevant to the construction industry. When building suffers flatbed suffers. With food or garbage it doesn't stop with a poor economy.

Both have their positives and negatives. Flatbeds seem to have better hours and better customers. Detention times are much less than van.

Van is a little more reliable freight wise, do less labor, more drop hook options to name few.

You'll experiment and it takes a few years to find your place in the industry. Any path you start out in won't hurt your future. You might be pulling a tanker 10 years from now, hauling garbage, running LTL, driving dump, etc. You might hate one job and love the next one. It takes time but you'll find it.

 

I pull flats and i bet i'm cuter then triplesix.