Do flatbed guys make more?

Well I, on the other hand, am not sure about owner op. But as a company driver you will usually get paid significantly more than van drivers. That is of course if you shop around and find the good jobs. With 5 months experience I was getting 45cpm plus accessories. Company was crap and I've now went to a sliding 44-68cpm with even better accessories. The right flatbed job will have you making 60-80k a year if you are willing to work and the more you hustle the more you make. Van drivers can make that much but they seem to average 30-50k; I might be wrong but that's what I've seen. I can't count how many van offers I've had, even dedicated, that pay in the low 30cpm range.

We flatbedders do have to work harder but it's nothing too crazy. I find it interesting and enjoyable to get out of the truck and do some work/exercise. You also tend to have much more pleasant and efficient experiences with shippers and receivers. Van drivers do a lot of waiting and dealing with grumpy warehouse staff. With flatbed you usually pick up a pre-loaded trailer. At the destination you just pull up, check in if necessary, unstrap/tarp, get unloaded fast and get back on the road making more money.

See this recent thread to aid you in your search for a quality flatbed job. I personally went with System Transport.
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/2015-best-flatbed-jobs.289741/

 

I have to disagree with this one, most drivers I know load their own trailer very few pick up pre loaded trailers. And I've done my share of waiting with a flat and I really never did it for a living, you may not wait as much as a van but you will still wait plenty.

 

$100 is CHEAP for a good pair of boots. Have you seen the prices for a good pair of Red Wings, not a fan, or Danner boots?!? Ouch! Did buy some Dickies boot for $80 that were reasonably comfortable, but they didn't last very long.


My point being, and something I never see mentioned, is that as a flatbed driver you MIGHT make more than the 500 lb guy waddling to the buffet, but you are going to have to spend more than him to do your job efficiently, safely, and comfortably. Someone will come along and say all that is tax deductible, but seriously who is doing that? Without the proper cold-weather gear I would have froze to death several times, one miserable day in Hayward Wi comes to mind Ha. Seemed there was always something I needed or wanted to ease some problem or hardship...... Or maybe I just seriously enjoy shopping

 

You don't want to be one of those dirty flatbedders. Always dirty, always taking showers, always doing laundry. Heck, if you flip one off, they will even give you a dirty look. You don't want to get dirty. I had a friend that was a flatbedder. His company wouldn't even reimburse him for laundry detergent.

And the worse thing, you have to touch those mean ol steel chain. Might even give you calluses. Be afraid. Be very afraid!

 

That is funny right there!! ^^^^

 

You sound like a good candidate for Western Express. They are now adding satellite TV to all their trucks, BTW

 

I agree with almost all of this except when I'm up in Hudson Bay beating the ice off my tarps in -10 I sometimes think this is "crazy" but I to enjoy getting out of the truck and getting the exercise you feel feel better and make more money.

 

Yeah, what he said!

Besides, fewer flatbedders mean better rates for the rest of us......

 

Well it will vary between companies and probably even regions. That's just my personal experience and what I've heard from others.

True, we do need to buy some good quality gear to help us get the job done. But if you play it right it isn't too bad. Quality workwear(thermal and regular) will cost you up front but can last for years, same with boots, good mechanics gloves can be caught on sale for $10/pair and will last several months or so, pick is $30 if not provided, and then you're set. Dang, with this winter coming up I find myself wishing I'd gotten those thermal coveralls while I was at Halliburton :/.

Lol, we are some dirty mofo's and I sure as heck take a shower every day. I buy Clorox wipes in bulk at Sam's Club, that helps to get me from shower to shower seeing as I get dirty a lot throughout the day.

All joking aside, what TripleSix says is true. Don't get into this if you don't enjoy getting dirty, working hard, sweating til you balls drag, freezing til they're deep in your gut, constantly watching and checking your load, climbing, and some tight knit camaraderie which includes helping others.

Haha, good call. I've never had to do that but being in Colorado now I just might. The really fun part of the winter will be making all of those I-70 runs to Gypsum and so on.

 

Eh, I think just being honest about the job turns enough people away. Shoot, most people won't even consider it to begin with lol.