Flatbed or Reefer?

I only pulled a flatbed locally. It was much more fun but it was so early in my career that I did not understand how much I liked it. Now I am too old to tarp anything. If you are still a young person then go flatbed. It does pay more. It is experience you can use while van experience is the same as reefer experience.

 

How hard is flatbed ??? Talking about labor work? I heard it is one of the hardest when it comes to trucking

 

Physically tarping is the most work. The tarps weigh 80 lbs or more, one tarp for the back and one for the front. Once you get the hang of how to tarp it starts to become easier, but always a challenge in the wind. There are plenty of YouTube videos to help.

Some loads don't require tarping, only straps and/or chains. Depending on the load it can be a lot of work. I run flatbed to the oil patch and have only broken out the tarps a handful of times for non oil related backhauls.

 

I was told from a driver that flatbed guys are generally friendlier than most and help when it comes to tarping and securement. Just curious if at some of the larger manufacturers if it is true or not? I'm sure it all depends on job site. This guy was an O/O so not sure if that just some unspoken rule help each other out reduce load times and get back to pounding out the miles. Any insight is appreciated.

 

In my experience it seems flatbed drivers are helpful and give each other a ton of respect. Can't think of any instances where that isn't the case.

 

We have a few jag offs in the flatbed world, but by large n far you will find help should you need it.

 

flatbedders tend to help other flatbedders more often than other parts of trucking. we just all know how much it sucks doing some of it alone.

I find it to be a pretty rewarding job, i get a sense of pride with my tarping and securing.

 

I remember one morning at the Stamart truck stop in Bismarck I pulled out my tarps to fold and roll them properly after my first tarp load. Not one, but two flatbedders came out to help me and give advice.

 

^^^this. Figuring out how to secure some crazy ### mix and making it look clean n tight, nothing better. Go over to the flatbed forum and look up mj1657's pics in the pic thread. That boy gets some of the craziest jenga loads, but #### if he dont get em looking amazing! Hes got the right to pride in some of them.

 

My favorite truckstop chain! That one even has a watering hole.