flatbed or not?

And then rolling out and tarping at the same time. Fun fun.

Not sure which is more fun,.. tarping at -5 with 30 mph gusts,.. or trying to fold/roll the tarps back up in -5 with 30 mph gusts. Tarps get stiff and dont like to do what you need them to do at -5 LOL.

To the OP,..

I'm 6'1 300lbs,.. 47 yrs old and waaay out of shape. I do just fine.

Though honestly, I am a healthy 300lbs and will climb and work as hard as anyone. I'm not fat because I'm lazy. I just like to eat. I can bench press 400lbs and squat 800 lbs. I am healthy and fit for a fat guy. As strange as that sounds,.. LOL

If you have health issues, I'm not sure flatbed would be the right thing for you. As an O/O you do have the option NOT to take tarp loads. You will miss out on some good paying loads as a result. I dont like to tarp any more than the next guy,.. but when it means the difference between a profitable load out of a bad area or a break even load,.. I take the profitable tarp load.

Flatbed isnt like reefer or van. With Flatbed,.. the key I believe is to have the right equipment at the right place at the right time. Its why I have a step deck with ramps, tarps and a butt load of gear that adds weight I'd rather not carry,.. but often works out as it is better to have and not need, then to need and not have.

If your not throwing tarps, your throwing chains, straps etc. Climbing on the trailer and loads in all kinds of weather. Its really not that difficult. But its not for everyone. If you have any doubts,.. then you are probably safer sticking with what you already know.

Hurst

 

Yikes man. How do you even know that? I haven't seen the inside of a gym in 25 years. I'd hate to see what this business has done to me. Flat bed or not.

 

I have a Total Gym at home as well as free weights and a bench. I like to sit out back and BBQ, then when I feel guilty for eating so much I hit the bench. I have a tread mill too, but that thing poops me out too quickly. I dont have the stamina for that. But the weights I can do at my own pace. That and after a few beers in me I feel like superman,.. LOL

Hurst

 

I feel sorry for the tread mill LOL.

 

When my son was still in HS he and his buddys would all get stoned and then take turns hurting themselves on the tread mill at high speed.

Its about the most use its ever seen. Was good for a few laughs.

Hurst

 

I drive flatbed for a guy local to me. No complaints. I'm hauling flagstone or boulders, all rock products.

I am Army retired with screwed up discs, all I do is throw straps. 6 ft 200 lbs. Oilfield made me fat waiting all the time, and I feel better moving around versus just sitting around.

 

Just be like me and don't book tarp loads.

 

Be careful just starting out. It will be easy to hurt yourself until you begin to get used to it. Especially carrying those 110# lumber tarps. You know what you can do better than anyone. There comes a time for each of us if we live long enough that we need to be wise enough to slow down. You are the best one to know if you are there or not.

 

generally, yes