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

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by ohandy1, Apr 18, 2025.

  1. larry_minn

    larry_minn Light Load Member

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

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  4. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  5. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    The last demo I was expecting ran into permit issues so I don't have the time I was expecting. I'm fairly decided on the newer fontaine. It's got some very nice toolboxes without straps holding the doors on. It's a combo with a coil package, which i figure might be useful. I could purchase it outright but I don't like being cash poor in this business. Ironically, it's the only one i've looked at that does have the same tires as my tractor.

    And pretty much nothing comes out of florida (still). Always 2-4 trucks per load trying to get out, but such is the life. I don't expect to be home every weekend.

    I really wanted a stepdeck with ramps, but looking at the boards made me rethink. Vast majority of loads are regular 48' fb. I reckon it's better to start here anyway, get a year or so under my belt before chasing a new niche.

    I wanna thank ya'll for just giving honest advice. When I mentioned 4 years ago, when I was a driver, that I was lookin to buy a truck (on a different forum) they lined up around the block to tell me how stupid I was. I learned every possible way to go bankrupt as they described in great detail. I got a little insulted and got booted from the forum. I was a little gun-shy coming here and asking for advice, so thanks for being honest. I really was tempted to get a fixer-upper.
     
  6. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  7. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    Not wrong. The last year running demo has been painful. That's why I'm swapping. I don't need to make a fortune, just more than expenses, and demo market was dead all last year. I gotta run something or sell my truck and drive for the mine, and that's not what I'm looking for. Doesn't seem that long ago I would have written this check without a worry. Now I'm facing what most of us are, chasing what work there is and protecting every penny. It's not a mystery.

    I do have friends who are helping with contacts and getting work and general processes, but it's going to be an uphill battle. Seems most of my life has been uphill so I'll downshift and plug away like usual.

    I don't mind criticism, I took exception to being called stupid for doing what so many of them had done. Down markets turn eventually, until the robots take over. Then I reckon we'll all be building robots.
     
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  8. North Pole Nightmare

    North Pole Nightmare Heavy Load Member

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    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.
     
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  9. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    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…
     
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  10. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    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!
     
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  11. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    I know I've gotta leave FL. Load board in GA (checked yesterday, can be there in 4-6 hrs) is showing loads in the $2.50 - $3+/mi range. maybe things are turning? Anyway, I feel like I already sat around as my end dump couldn't buy a job most of last year. I can't do that anymore, the insurance is killing me. I need to at least tread water, or, as I mentioned, give up and be a driver. Thought about it, but it's a real blow to the ego, and future plans. That'd leave me driving til I'm 80.

    And what's a cheap dump? o_O
     
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