Changing niche & types of loads, what to look for in a flatbed?

I was not in market for flatbed. See a few. Looked like tons of work. Rather get something structurally solid.,

 

When buying anything, whether it's a truck or a trailer, you want to start with something at least fundamentally good.

I see a lot of combination flatbeds for 7 to 10,000 maybe 15 for a nicer one?

You can't find one for $10,000 that isn't structurally sound?

I would buy one that has a good arch in it that does not need especially structural welding.

I myself don't see a huge difference in price for a trailer that needs welding and that sort of thing to something that's older but that's in good shape.

I'm looking myself.

If it's a truck or trailer or whatever, if you know what you're looking at and you take your time, you can find something that's not new that's in good enough shape you can work with it.

 

Since you'll be new to flats and you'll be hauling random spot freight trash I'd highly recommend you rent a trailer (as mentioned above) for a little while before making a costly mistake.

You're already going to be spending a good amount of money on securement and protection as it is. If you decide you don't like it and/or you can't find lucrative spot freight you're not going to get that money back on those things.

As for for trailer specs? Get yourself a light aluminum spread axle 48x102 preferably with 52k beams and wheels/tire sizes that match your power unit. You'll be able to haul a wide range of random garbage with that setup as long as you keep your total empty weight below 32k. I'd try very hard to get it around 30k with full tanks of fuel though to give yourself an extra edge.

If you want to spend your time chasing partials do the same as above but get a drop deck with ramps and 53' length. Have you done your research on the boards? Do you have any outbound freight options in Tampa? I used to live in that area (Riverview) and the freight opportunities were dismal.

 

I gave advice on the trailer because that's what you asked for. Didn't seem right to preach about the market. For the record, I wouldn't advise anyone to run the boards in a down market but to each their own. Don't take this the wrong way but if you can't buy a 25k trailer without financing it you're already cash poor.

 

I have a 48' flat Fontaine,it's good.Im under 30k empty so I've been hauling some 46k-48k loads.Pay is not great but ok so far.I do see stepdeck loads that pay a little more,hauling transformers out of texas,then there's a few taller loads that would only fit on a stepdeck.I see an equal amount of flatbed and stepdeck loads in the areas I run.

 

I’m doing the exact opposite. Just parked my flat and sleeper truck. Built a day cab and bought a couple cheap dumps. I find that the only niche in most trucking is being the cheapest truck…..


Flatbed in Florida is tough. Maybe local deliveries for home improvement stores? Local building supplies?


Are you looking to go over the road or local? OTR you basically have to just deadhead outa there…

 

The problem is the the upmarkets don't make up for what you lost during the depressions. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that your competitors are willing to run into a loss to win over your customer/s. Non-contracted work is a losing game over an aggregate period of time.

IMO, the best way to play the spot market game is to buy your equipment now (during the downturn) then sit on it and prep it for the next boom.

When the next ripple in the Matrix happens (like plandemics, government mandates etc happen) you jump in and go for the broker's jugulars. Rape them all on the rates. Go for blood.

When the ripple smooths out again you return everything to the back burner and get a company job to wait it out.

Rinse and repeat until you've got it all out of your system!