Dry van or flat bed for 2020 ?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Shutupandkeeptrucking, Dec 5, 2019.

  1. RunningAces

    RunningAces Road Train Member

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    Flatbed is great if you dont mind working. The physical labor will take some getting used to if you have been taking it easy in the van game for a couple years. You'll also need to buy several thousand in gear I'd you decide to go this route.
     
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  3. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    An extendable is great IF you can keep it loaded. Problem is, an extendable is heavier than a regular 48' flatbed. And weight is the key to making it as a flatbedder. You want to keep your empty weight down so you can grab those nice heavy loads when they pay well.

    Plus, there is a fair amount of flatbed freight that pays by weight, usually by the hundred weight. Say you get offered a 48,000 pound single coil (yes, they DO get that heavy) going to Texas paying $7.00/hundred. 7 x 480 = $3,360 smackeroos, buddy! You don't want to turn that load down just because you can't scale that 48,000 coil legally, do ya? Especially when you got a clown like me coming up behind you who's empty weight is 31,600 lbs. with full tanks.
     
  4. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Fixed it for you.
     
  5. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Fwiw i was running a midroof 2020 t680 with a 48 ft all aluminum east trailer and 150 gallon tanks i could scale 50k and be under 80k gross.. These new truck and trailer is light as feathers.. U can take loads that others cant that can only scale 45000 or less.
     
  6. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    *Snicker*!

    Didn't want to get involved in fuel mileage with that particular member.
     
    D.Tibbitt Thanks this.
  7. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    You should absolutely run flatbed. Flatbed all the way. That's where the good stuff is. All the money is there. Go for it. Flatbed flatbed flatbed!

    ......because I run a dry van. :D
     
    Tug Toy Thanks this.
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