Considering flat bedding....

Flatbed companies will teach you load securement, etc. before you hit the road.

 

Sign up with a fleet that offers different types of flatbed freight -- this could make life more interesting, & later you can change to other freight -- without changing employers.

For example....with Maverick Transportation, you could work with:

• regular flatbed loads (steel pdts, building mtrls, etc)
• glass (lowboy trailers)
• boats (their marine division)

-- L

 

I recently started flatbed after hauling wood chips for years which was basically sitting in a truck with very little manual labor. In my opinion unless you are wanting more work and challenge in your occupation you probably don’t want to do it.

I enjoy it, but I am 34 and in quite good physical shape. Also I always wanted to do flatbed work. I can guarantee you though that tarping is not for the faint of heart. I can lug a tarp with 8 foot drops to the top of my load on a ladder, but not many do that. I have been tarping in dumping rain in the cold and took my shirt off once I got back in to dry it with my defrost heater. Also wind makes it a real pain.

I try to take pride with my tarping and make it look crisp, but honestly sometimes if the load is odd shaped enough and I’ve spent too long already I kind of figure as long as it isn’t flapping too much it will have to work.

It’s enjoyable for the most part, but if you start out with a bad attitude about tarping you might as well never start because it will give you little reason to change your attitude.

As far as pay goes, I don’t think it’s much better than any other kind of trucking but maybe others would disagree.

 

With 9 yrs. experience, go for the money with hazmat tankers.

 

Right before winter, couldn't think of a better time to start lol

 

If you're hauling the right freight then tarping isn't that big of a deal. Door slamming is boring IMO and nobody is happy to see you. With open deck work you're sitting less, seeing more interesting locations and it's more physical. I see these as benefits. Look into moving equipment if you want to avoid tarps.

 

Or Conestoga

 

I got into flatbedding in 1992 after pulling reefers and dry freight 8 years.Its a very rewarding experience.

 

EX-CEL-LENT advice....

-- L