Flatbed driver looking for a change.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Stone Dude, Jul 2, 2018.

  1. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    If it were me I’d look at pulling a tanker or something else that would provide a challenge. I’m not familiar with your pay structure but also keep in mind that your accessorial pay will be going away and if you go into reefer or van you’ll be chasing miles to make your money.
     
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  3. Truckermania

    Truckermania Road Train Member

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    I'd strongly consider Maverick's glass division.
     
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  5. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    I like it, get to know the plants well but customers are different. All 50 states plus Canada.
     
  6. Stone Dude

    Stone Dude Light Load Member

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    Honestly, I'd prefer long trips. It's rare I ever get a drive day, as I end up loading and unloading every day, sometimes more than once, and all that time securing and tarping, then unsecuring and untarping just eats up time for little benefit. Though I must admit I'm no super-trucker. I've never been late, but I'm not one of those guys who kills themselves to be there as fast as they can.

    As for home time, I'm pretty flexible. I'm single and don't have much family I still talk to. Before I got transferred to the dedicated account I'm on now I was staying out 4-6 weeks at a time and it never bothered me.
     
  7. Stone Dude

    Stone Dude Light Load Member

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    I'm in central Iowa.
     
  8. Stone Dude

    Stone Dude Light Load Member

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    I don't know about glass. When I was at Instructor Training most of the class was Glass guys and not a one of them had much good to say about it.
     
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  9. already gone

    already gone Road Train Member

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    Do you want to stay out, or go home? Whats the goal here?
     
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  10. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    Land of local
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    Same here I can never do long haul, hats off to those that do run 600+ day after day. Thats why I started off doing food service rather than the common do your 1st year otr
     
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  11. Paddlewagon

    Paddlewagon Light Load Member

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    Llano Estacado
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    Yea,them boys got some mighty fine iron......they got a sister outfit called Accord Transport(Chandler,Ok.) I think they are exclusively propane transporters. All O/O's and they NEVER advertise..........heard that they have a wait list.
     
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  12. Paddlewagon

    Paddlewagon Light Load Member

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    I was in the same boat when I was skateboarding. So #### sick and tired of the short hops and endless lumber tarp deployments(looking at you Melton Truck Lines) I came across Hunt Transportation(Omaha). They ran my buttocks off and I bet I can count on 1 hand how many times I threw vinyl in 18 months. I loved that gig,but had to depart due to family health issues. Flatbedding can be fun and challenging,you just gotta haul the right freight ;););)
     
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  13. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Where I'm at we've got guys who do dedicated LTL small dealer freight and I do those every now and then, but I'm happy to be doing something different all the time. It's still flatbed, but long trips are common, and tarping is usually pretty square loads if at all. It really all depends on the freight your company hauls as to what you do. Plenty of flatbed freight that's interesting, and you don't deal with the huge amount of ######## door swingers do.
     
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