Flatbed questions, how much physical work is involved?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CalculatedRisk, Feb 28, 2023.

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  1. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    I’m considering doing flatbed. I’m just curious, how physically involved is it? Also, if the loads are drop and hook mostly, how does that work out?
     
    CalculatedRisk, Feb 28, 2023
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  2. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    It totally depends on what you’re hauling and who for. Not all freight is created equal.

    The easiest flatbed work is what we like to call “sticks and bricks” and roofing shingles, but you can expect that to not pay very well.

    @jamespmack Would you care to chime in?
     
    MACK E-6, Feb 28, 2023
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  3. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    The company said they mostly do building materials which is gypsum. I don’t want to mention the company name but they’re headquartered in Jacksonville.
     
    CalculatedRisk, Feb 28, 2023
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Chinatown, Feb 28, 2023
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  5. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Edit:
    Had to erase my post and start over, are you doing this for a company or you owner op ?
    Drywall is easy, I don’t do it cuz it don’t pay enough.
     
    Diesel Dave, Feb 28, 2023
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  6. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    company driver.
     
    CalculatedRisk, Feb 28, 2023
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  7. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Drop and hook basically is the trailer is loaded, you go hook up to the loaded trailers, hint; before you secure the load, do your pretrip inspection on the trailer. Idk how many times I’ve secured a trailer and when I’m ready to go, I find something wrong that I missed. Anyways, secure your load and at your destination you’ll probably wait to unload or drop and pick empty. If your only hauling drywall, that’s easy except for the tarping if required, but once you get use to it, it’s easy, I myself don’t tarp.
     
    Diesel Dave, Feb 28, 2023
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  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Drop and hook is NOT what you want with flatbed because with flatbed you normally have quite a bit of tools, gear, dunnage, accessories compared to dry van and reefer. If you do drop and hook with a flatbed you have to spend a significant amount of time moving your stuff to the other trailer. There are lots of videos on YouTube showing you what THAT flatbed drivers does on loads. I never did flatbed, so the above is my view from the outside.
     
    tscottme, Feb 28, 2023
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  9. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    Ty Diesel Dave. I kind of figured that’s what it meant. The training program would be seven weeks including weekends off. What are some questions you recommend I ask the recruiter?
     
    CalculatedRisk, Feb 28, 2023
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  10. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Things I would ask would be like, are you gonna have enough room in the truck to store all Your securements, are the loaded trailers decent, etc. you’ll pick up things along as you go. How I learned a lot about securement was watching others and I ask questions.
     
    Diesel Dave, Feb 28, 2023
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