Age question

The only weather system that it is difficult for flatbedders is high winds (in my opinion). Everything else is controllable if you are not in a rush.

 

It is not a matter of pride or a "Billy Big Rig" thing with me. It is about how the truck reacts, me having control of how the truck reacts, and safety. Auto's are way too slow to react (even shifting manually) in certain dangerous situations (such as crossing traffic as I mentioned), AND they tend to freeze up at times, blocking an intersection or parking lot (etc...) while you shut the thing off and let the computer reset so you can get it back in gear----IF THAT HAS'NT HAPPENED TO YOU YET, IT WILL.

 

375000 miles on a eaton auto
have no idea what your talking about
but what do i know

 

I turn 52 next month and started pulling a flat when I was 48, I am also fat so, you don't even need to be in good shape to do flatbed work. There is a lot to be said about experience and treachery versus youth and enthusiasm. I went back to van for a couple months last year and hated it. A lot of guys say trucking is a way of life, and as far as I'm concerned, flatbeddin' is an extension of that theory.

 

I'm 56 and have had 3 heart attacks and most recently cancer. I do specialized and heavy haul throwing plenty of chains, throw an occasional tarp and breaking down the manual detach trailer. Every time I think I'm too old for this sh#t, especially on the 100 or 10 degree days, I think of my friend who is 75 and doing the same thing. I think that keeping the blood flowing and not being treated like garbage by most shippers and receivers has extended his career and probably mine too. Though I gotta say that falling off the trailer like I did twice last year I now thud instead of bounce and usually with some significant injury or another.

 

WoW,,,I pray I have your drive when I am 57, you go brother. I do the same thing in my life, look at what someone else is doing that is in a worse situation than I am, that give me the drive I need to overcome... Worked in the Military anyway...lol

 

Yes you do.

 

I'll be starting later in life myself. I've pretty much decided on flatbed / stepdeck. I want the more interesting loads and I like the responsibility of "engineering" the securment; but I'm less excited about tarping.

It seems there is a market for Conestoga or similar no touch tarp systems, and I'm leaning towards this idea. Maybe this is a way for the over 50 crowd to do flatbedding without lugging tarps?

 

I hear you lema charlie... I love pulling a flat because of the fact, that each and everyday/everyload will be different. I will also have the challenge of securing those loads, which keeps the blood flowing in the brain. Securing will keep the blood flowing in my veins and keep me in better shape than pulling a van/reefer. I look forward, Lord willing, to the day I can pull my OWN flat, with my OWN Tractor.....

 

Don't let the age of 50 stop you from doing what ever you need to do. I ran flat car for a lot of years, about 25 to be exact. then I switched over to a specalized haul. Light loads, good bucks. Still have to work at loading and unloading, and do a lot of walking especially at the larger car auction yards. Only thing about flat car, use a ladder, always. I spent 6 months sitting on the end of the sofa from left knee surgerie. Hopped off the trailer, step deck mind you, hit the ground and felt just a twing in my knee, nothing to cry about. 3 days later, I could hardly walk, sitting and driving for 2 or 3 hours was horribly painful. Went to the Dr., torn the quad tendon from the knee cap. Dr. said it wasn't unheard of for a 50 year old guy. So the moral of the story is don't hop off the trailers, it will get you sooner or later!