Flat bedding--- the pros, the cons?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by steadfasttrucker, Dec 6, 2014.

  1. Calregon

    Calregon Light Load Member

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    First of all you will have to back in, around, over, and between some crazy places (Job sites). Also you will more than likely have spread axle on your trailer. They dont manover the same. Waited four hours to be unloaded two days ago. You will get wet, dirty and work hard. Flatbedding is not for sissys. Its a challenge for sure. I LOVE IT. I just passed up a job making more money and more hometime. When your driving your car you see 100 times more vans than flatbeds. You never give them a second look. You always check out a flatbed. You get to haul many different types of loads and go to some unusual places. Flatbedders seem to still have that respect that older drivers talk about. Kind of a club. I have gotton help, and advice from many. I also am quick to help a guy roll his tarps or straps as I have been helped. I personally like the oversize long loads. When I first stated a guy said this.... Remember in school there were different groups? The cool kids, geeks, jocks etc?.. Flatbedders are the cool kids.
    Oh and usually get better pay and more things to get extra pay for. tarp, float, over size, length. Did I mention I LOVE IT?
    You will get dirty in ALL types of weather. But you dont have to be a slob. I carry baby wipes, paper towels, clothes and boots. If you never get dirty, you dont work hard enough.

     
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  3. blessedman

    blessedman Light Load Member

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    I do flatbed and dry van both as an owner operator under my own authority.

    First, most flatbedders are NOT cool. Many do NOT take pride in their work. I see many loads with loose straps, not enough securement, etc.

    Some loads are quick load/unload. Some are not. Some shippers/receivers are glad to see you. Some are not. These things can be said of many types of trucking. Some truckers take pride in their work no matter what they drive. Some don't. Some don't put any securement on any van load. Some do.

    There is no blanket statement about drivers being respectful or hateful or neat or slobs that apply only to the type of trailer behind the truck.

    Find the type of trucking you want to do. Then do your small part to live the good example. Don't be the horses behind that makes things worse.
     
  4. jdmredneck33

    jdmredneck33 Medium Load Member

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    Green Horn Here Just Finished School January14th Passed my Road test First time on Sunday. got my License with Tanker Endorsement Yesterday an then Picked up my Bus Ticket for Orientation with Prime Flatbed last night. Head to PA Sunday. Haven't started yet an One PRO I Can think of is Pro: Don't have to sit at shippers for 8+ hours waiting to be unloaded
     
  5. jdmredneck33

    jdmredneck33 Medium Load Member

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    I chose flatbed for a few different Reasons I enjoy some hard work Did Commercial/Residential Concrete Before Going to school for my Class A, My Daddy's Been a Truck driver for 33yrs an for at least the past 10yrs he's been doing Flatbed.
     
  6. technoroom

    technoroom Heavy Load Member

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    My personal experience.

    Pros:
    - More pay per mile (but typically fewer miles per day, see cons).
    - Closer to regular/daytime hours -- very rarely/never middle-of-the-night pickups or deliveries as can occur with van/reefer.
    - Can usually be parked for the night by 18:30 or 19:00 before the truck stops fill up too much.
    - Not as much backing, usually more room available at pickups/deliveries when you do have to back (but with a spread-axle trailer, you NEED than room, see cons).
    - Satisfaction from properly and safely securing a wide variety of loads, every new one is like a puzzle to solve.
    - Excellent physical workout, keeps you in shape.

    Cons:
    - Tough during the winter: Tarps frozen stiff, unrolling a tarp that's frozen into block of ice, Untarping load covered with snow and ice, Climbing around on trailer and load covered with snow and ice. Some people talk about the cold, but if you dress properly that's not so much of an issue.
    - Reduced flatbed freight demand during winter -- your miles may go down, you may sit more. Summertime is peak flatbed season.
    - You are paid more per mile, but you spend time every load securing, unsecuring, tarping and untarping instead of putting miles behind you. Eats into your 14-hour and 70-hour clocks. Many days you will use up your 14-hour clock before your 11 is used up.
    - If you're pulling a spread-axle trailer (typically what you want, because your rear axles can then carry a total of 40k instead of 34k) and you are loaded, you CANNOT spin the trailer around on a dime like you can with a van/reefer and its tandem axles. If you try, you'll rip the tires sideways off the trailer axles. (Unless your trailer has an Air Dump switch to take the weight off the front or rear axles...some do, some don't.) Thus, your minimum turning radius is larger and you need more room when cornering or backing. Some truck stops can be a problem if you have to back into a tight spot when loaded, especially if it's dark. (Another reason flatbedding can be harder in the winter)
    - Many flatbedder injuries come from falling off the trailer or load. When up on the trailer and load, you need to be very careful, patient, and have good balance. Dizziness/vertigo is a no-no.
     
    steadfasttrucker and JOHNQPUBLIC Thank this.
  7. Calregon

    Calregon Light Load Member

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    Dont believe that for a second. Not to mention, Oh, we cant take you today, or find a place to park we'll call you when we can get that off. Still better than driving a van.
     
  8. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Oh no! You got to ride the bus...
    Every weirdo in America is on the bus. Luck in battle, friend. Let us know how it goes.
     
  9. darknessesedge

    darknessesedge Medium Load Member

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    low tarp pay....no secure pay...no assisting w load pay...
     
  10. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    I pull a little of everything that does not have walls..... flatbed, stepdeck, RGN and Dolly trailers. Not only is securing a load a challenge at times but then you see everyone hauling vans with the axles set at 40-41 feet... childs play. Try pulling something with the axles sitting double that behind the kingpin like this load or even longer for blades. Or the first time you have to use a steerable dolly where you have to control the truck and the steering on the dolly.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Or sometimes a stretch flat that has the axles all the way to the rear

    [​IMG]

    Some times you have to really think on how you are going to secure a load....

    [​IMG]

    Some times you have to go wide...

    [​IMG]

    Sometimes you have to pull doubles....

    [​IMG]

    Other times you get to go tall, wide and heavy

    [​IMG]

    If you are in this business for money alone then you will end up hating EVERY job that you hold.
     
  11. JOHNQPUBLIC

    JOHNQPUBLIC Road Train Member

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