how much work is involved in flatbed

I keep hearing that, but I'm always backing...often in some pretty tight spaces. I even have a couple of places I have to back into docks because they don't have outside access, although those are easy...lots of pull-up room.

Oh, and and one place I go about three times a year, I have to back into an old barn the guy converted into a workshop. He builds some kind of specialty hydraulics. He loads me with an engine hoist...put a piece on, move up, repeat. He always offers me a beer when we're done loading, like drivers should suck back a couple of cold ones before they drive.

 

Flat decking is not to bad. simple things to know.

-Keep load tight together
-Keep an eyes open on straps & chains becoming loose.
-Don't drive like a mad man.

You should do just fine.

 

3 of the places we went to to pick up coil's had to be backed into, 2 of the glass places and a hunter panel pick-up. I won't even try and count the number of places he dropped that had to be backed into, down a small drive or alley. We invested in a cheap-ish pair of walkie-talkies.

 

Better fuel economy.
No inspections at Agricultural inspections or border checkpoints.
Easier to back up due to no giant box in your way.
Spread axel sucks to back up loaded.
Need more storage for equipment.
Tarping sucks arse in the wind or rain.
Securing loads is most often something different which keeps you interested.
Less lights to have to worry about going out.
Most loads nowadays are strapped which is easy.
If you do 3 loads a week the work isn't much. If you do 3 loads a day. You better be paid very well.

 

We watched a border patrol stop a tarped flatbed and look under the tarp's, guy had to pull up and re-bungie after the B.P. agent was done. Hubby was driving a dryvan at the time, they got in and looked in the sleeper. Door's had one of the pretty little bolt's on it, otherwise he might have had us open up also. Looking for someone's I guess..... tip maybe?

 

What kind of 23 year old wouldn't want to pull a deck?

I thought everyone wants to but only few can handle it.
If pulling a flatbed is too much work then you've never worked.

 

Reefers load at night and have to be babysat because of the refrigeration. Empty dry vans blow into the ditch on windy days and they pay less per mile. Every kind of trucking has it's own unique problems. The good thing about flatbedding is you have to get out and exercise once in a while and you get extra tarp, drop, and oversize pay that can add up pretty fast. The best thing about vans, I guess, is you can dropnhook and keep rolling if you sign up with the right company.

 

Havent you noticed that the majority of people planning to get CDLs became interested because they think it's a super easy job where they hold a steeringwheel for a few hours a day? Some of these guys went to the hand because sex was too much work.

 

HaHa. I know some old farmers. And whenever I start to think my life sucks. I think to myself these guys farmed back in the day of no machinery. No electricity. No running water or refrigeration. And made barely enough money and if the weather was bad. BBarely enough to eat. So throwing a tarp or getting out of my truck (which does all the work) is least I can do to contribute to society. Although someone has to haul dry goods or broccoli. ANYONE can do that.

 

Somewhere along the way, it became a bad thing to work with your hands. I've known people that went to college so that they wouldn't have to work with their hands. What's wrong with working with your hands?

I was at the AwfulWaffle eating dinner. Had this kid, 19 cooking. Nice kid. I asked him if he attended college. He was planning to attend and major in some sort of computer field. Cool, sounds nice. I told him that he should consider trade school. Costs a quarter of what college costs, and you will always be able to find a job. If I had it to do all over again, I would have went to school to be a transmission specialist. Anybody can build an engine. Anyone can do an inframe.

If I were a transmission man, I would still truck. I'd have me one of those big house sleepers, but my sleeper would house my shop and my bike. Take a couple loads, get to a place that I like, park it and turn wrenches.