Do flatbed or boxes

Sometimes I like the challenge of figuring it out, other times it just ain't happening.

Once I got so frustrated with a forklift driver I started crying on the phone with my dispatcher and he told me to stop crying like a girl. When I said "I am a girl" he said "Ain't no crying in flatbed." It worked, I stopped crying.

 

I am planning on pulling Flatbed as an O/O, but due to some medical issues with Arthritis, It would be exstreamly hard for me to tarp. So I going to Cheat. I'm going to get a a trailer with the Roll Tite system in place. More expensive ($50,000.00 New $30,000.00 Used on average), but alot easier. But till I can afford to buy one, I'll pull a dry Box and save up for one.

Now someone mentioned never seen a flatbed rolled over due to wind, These could cause they stand as high as a Van, but play your cards right, you still will not have a problem. I pulled a Dryvan, empty and had no problems where 2 others did get flipped by the wind.

While I was driving, I did pull Reefers, Dry Vans and FLatbeds. With each they have their own challenges. Securing loads in a Dry Van that had no way to secure stuff (Steel Coils, Cherry Picker, and Tractors) And mind games of Grocery Warehouses (Reefer and DryVan). They are all different. I do enjoy them all. SO I guess you say I just plain out Enjoy Trucking..

 

One thing that really stands out is the difference in how you as a driver are treated at shippers and consignees. In general, cause as you know there are exceptions to every rule, you are treated better. They are happy to see you, load you efficiently, and when you get to the other end they are happy to see you and unload you usually in a timely manner. Exception to that are first come first served loacations, which mostly are construction sites.

You don't seem to run into as many gnarly drivers or wicked mean customers.

And the community of flatbed drivers is different than box drivers, again in general. A lot of times another flatbed driver will help you fold tarps or tarp your load or will just come up to chat and ask if you need any help. They are more laid back, and conscientious about their driving.

Before anybody says it, let me get it out in the open: I don't get special treatment just because I am a women. When my husband and I drove team he was offered help just as much as me. And also too, I'm not saying that flatbed driving is all rainbows and fluffy bunnies and sun shiny days where everyone has a smile on their face.

Perfect example: in Tulsa this past December at General Wire I needed to strap my load. Trailer was preloaded and was nicely parked in the middle of an ice sheet. The way it was loaded I couldn't move it til I had some straps on. So there I stood, holding onto the rub rail with one hand so I wouldn't fall on my butt, and trying to throw my straps over a 13'6" load from a completely stationary position directly next to the load. Not as easy as it sounds, but I got it done and my next load came out of San Diego where it was 68f the day I was there, picking up a stack of container chassis'. Nice. More than made up for the ice and slush.

I have also found in my experience that cry babies don't last long in flatbed. Its hard to get someone to feel sorry for you when you are subjecting yourself to the wind, the rain, the scorching sun, the hail, the snow, the ice, etc.

However I have also found that the benefits far outweigh the negatives. You have to get out of that truck, you HAVE TO, to check the securement and the tarps. YOU have to fix any problems. Hence, you can maintain a more healthy lifestyle. You have to use your brain. You can't just close the doors and go. You have to pay attention to how it is loaded and sometimes it is just like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle.

Once you try, if you like it, you'll never want to pull anything else.

 

Hands down, flat over box. Flats haul more interesting freight. Cha Cha Charmin, there goes another load of toilet paper in a van. No grocery warehouse to deal with either. At my company (roehl) it seems like alot more van freight goes to the east coast. I consider the extra exercise a good thing. The tarps do suck when its windy and cold but there really aren't too many days like that. Of course flats pay better than van too.

 

I did flatbeds and heavy haul for 26 yrs,the tarps are heavy,I invested in the light heavy duty sets,they run 350 each for 8 ft drops and you need two,but they only weigh 70 lbs versus 130,but if you drop and hook you have to switch out tarps to keep yours,a bummer sometimes. If I had it to do again,I would definitely try food grade tankers,those drivers stay clean and your shippers and consignees load and unload alot of the places you go. Everything is clean too. Nice job,drivers I have taled to love it.