Flatbed - hard work?

Of any truck driving job I've had, pulling a flatbed OTR is the easiest one I've ever had. From what you describe, you should worry about ensuring that you're trained to properly secure loads rather than the amount of work involved.

 

Flatbedding isn't that bad. Generally speaking, I only bust my ### for about an hour or so every other day. I get tarp pay, so in my mind it's a paid workout. Sometimes the toughest part is staying alert when I need to drive 600 miles after tarping.

 

Overnight delivery........

 

What is average CPM for flatbed OTR?

 

I was % my last gig. Prior to that I got 41cpm.

 

You'd have to call around to different companies and ask them. Naturally, it's going to be less for someone starting off than for someone with experience.

 

Yes, flatbed trucking can be hard work but it is also rewarding work with a much higher pay scale than dry vans. I loved it, liked the mental challenge of securing irregular odd loads and want not. You get to see a lot of different things from steel mills to pop can factories.

There are a lot of drivers that should not be flatbed drivers because they do not want to take the time to secure their loads properly. If you are willing to OVER secure your loads, tarp and stop every 100 miles or so to re-tighten your chains and/or straps then go for it. If that sounds like a pain in the ### then don't get into flatbedding.

I will admit as most other drivers probably won't that there are loads that will scar you, or should. I re-powered a load of hardwood trim that was close to 13' 6" and was made up of tons of little individual packs. I got the load from the other driver late at night. I looked it over well in the morning and found all the straps were loose (loose is being kind, more like 6" of slack), it was leaning and a total nightmare. I called in and told the company I needed a forklift, they asked for pictures and I sent them. They agreed the load was bad and the forklift came out. Of course I had to untarp and retarp.

It was a 1400 mile load and I was uncomfortable with it the whole time. It was not as stable as wanted it to be even with 14 straps because of the way it was loaded.

Most of the time though I did enjoy flatbed trucking and yes SOMETIMES tarping sucks but most loads are fairly easy after you get some experience. I would make $40 for every time I tarped. Multiply that by three loads a week and you have $120 in your pocket or $6,240 yearly. Your way ahead of dry van/reefer drivers already!

 

I was in consruction before I strarted hauling flatbed. You will already be used to wearing steel toe boots, high viz, safety glasses and hard hats, so that is a plus. Beling taller/longer is a plus. Not being overweight is a huge plus. But being only 140, you might have to jump on that winch bar.

You don't get to sweat all day. Summer, you can get all hot and sweaty while loading and unloading, then you get sit in a truck for hours in those clothes, unless you change, like I sometimes do. In the riain, you will want to have a rainsuit. If you have just the jacket, your pants will get soaked.

 

I can sit here and say flat bedding is NOT for me and be happy about it lol