I need opinions!

Stay where you're at.Your happy pay and miles is consistent.If you wanna lose wait you can do that driving van by not eating so much and walking during your brakes.

 

Yeah, not thinking of leaving where I am at. Just possible transition to a flat.

As far as losing weight/maintaining any semblance of muscle mass...it is da*n near impossible sitting all day, and laying all night. Even a one mile walk isn't gonna do much. Throwing around 100+ lbs and climbing onto the trailer and sweating, seems like a much better workout.

 

Ok, I guess if things are very well with your outfit and it's a mutual happiness with people in same... that is outstanding.

Well, your boss runs the company. Do you own any of it? If your boss wants to get out of widgets and icecream and wants to get into flatbedding, go into it with him. You be a flatbedder or unemployed looking for something else with a batch of strangers to learn all over again. if your boss pays for the gear, chains, straps, trailer etc etc etc and fits your tractor with a air dump for the spread axles etc you are going to be a flatbedder. Yeehaw.

When I met a tanker for the first time and the shifting did not work for me... the trainer set a cup of coffee down on the floor in front of the shifter. Told me dont you spill my #### coffee you PUP.

I guess Im still a tanker man... eh...

 

Yeah I might try something like that. Thank you.

 

I say go for it. II run a flat for a owner (he's not an operator tho), and granted we aren't leased to anyone, I run on a percentage. I did 2 runs so far this week (left out Sunday morning ) and have grossed over $1300 so far, and still have 2 loads to go. Plus you WILL lose some weight. Biggest thing is, drink LOTS of water - stay away from the garbage can sized sodas.....

 

Yeah, I think I do want to give it a go.

I don't see how I couldn't at least make the same money doing less miles, but I'm figuring I can make ~10% more to my income.

 

Yeah, you should be able to do that no problem. Just make sure you pay real close attention and learn all you can about securement. Always remember -you can over secure all day long, but you'll only under secure a load once.....

 

Take the plunge, go flatbed.

Since you are with Landstar you can check the load boards to get a sense of the rates to compare against dry van. The lanes will be different, so search based on expected flatbed lanes. Your dispatcher can help you with that.

As I understand it Landstar has a graduated system that allows you to work up to larger oversize loads, if you care to get into that end of things.

Eventually you will want to buy your own trailer and it will be good to have experience with flats, step decks, etc. to see what you prefer. Once you have your own trailer you can arrange the side boxes and dunnage rack the way you want, instead of cramming everything into the headache rack and tractor side boxes. It will make you more efficient.

By the way, I think you must have meant you were on pace for $65K net on an annual basis. $65K gross for a year would be starvation wages.

 

It is another level of skill. I'd go for it.