I've got almost 3 years experience with tractor trailer. Done just about everything else. Pneumatic Trailer, Reefer, Dry Van, water Tanker. Up to as much as 105k pounds licensed, on a 26 wheeler.
Been working for a local company. Take his product out. Gets me runs to work my way back. 20 year old trucks. Constant problems. In reality, constant DOT violations i knew about. Lousy excuses from him all the time. Always rationalizing to blame it all on me. It got so bad. I went looking for something else.
I called an add for a driver. It out of my home (Rapid City SD). The guy is intelligent. Not from Rapid (bunch of meat heads). Has a few trucks that park here. This is pretty much on my own. Just get the truck to Wisconsin for work/maintenance. I can look at and he's hoping I start picking loads myself off the load boards. So it's much responsibility.
Just 4 days and two loads out to Wisconsin. Realistically easily take home $1K a week. I can do as much or little as I want. $1K a week is my personal minimum.
I'm not in very good shape right now. I'm very honest with interviewers. Too honest for the Mega's. If you know what I mean. The only thing he asked I test on is; To handle the ramps for the trailer. I met another driver at a truck stop here yesterday. Right there at the fuel island. We set the ramps up as bridges on the trailer. His next haul is some 50 foot pipe. It was no big deal handling the ramps.
I admitted to him. I have a 7 year old lower back injury. I found out. If I hold something heavy. The pain goes away. Feels actually soothing. Can only rationalize the injury loosened my lower spine. Where the pain comes from. The weight pushes it together. No more pain. Spent much of my life heavy.
He's more than willing to work with my lacks. No big deal if something takes me longer at first. I've done a ton to rehabilitate in the past. Almost died from diabetes 20 years ago. It was causing weight loss. No treatment. Either it stops. Or you die. It left me an absolute basket case. Did much exercise to rehabilitate.
So he knows I won't do that well at first. He's willing to work with me.
Anyways...in talking to him. Sounds great for me. I think I can rehabilitate completely with this job. OTR and reefer did not do me any good. The driver I tested with just asked: "circulation?" I said yes. I made it clear that it isn't the long drives. It's the constantly keeping going. The no time to take care of myself. No exercise. I even talked with one OTR reefer company. Told them ok if I can run recaps. Give me time to take care of myself daily. ... This job seems much better for me. I look forward to the exercise. The freedom. The responsibility.
I emailed the my app back to him after testing. Just waiting on the office now.
In talking with the driver who tested me. It was snowing. He said he grew up here in SD. Thinks he's gonna head to Arizona. Spend some time there this winter. I said; Yup... I can imagine myself telling him I wanna stay in Texas this winter. hehe
I'm just asking for suggestions. I've read the "Tips and Tricks of Flatbedding".
He also has a dry van on the lot here. I can take that. But the two loads we take from here. Can't get as much on a dry van. Won't pay as much. That is always an option. Can find better rates after in the country in dry van? Or more easily?
He said most his guys take days off each week. But when it gets tougher. They'll stay out to make the money. I agree with this. Get that money made.
Looks like I'm gonna be a tarp monkey....
Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by WesternPlains, Oct 25, 2020.
Page 1 of 2
-
Truckermania, rachi, BackwoodsGA and 5 others Thank this.
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
Doesn’t sound like much money for picking your own loads as well
Aamcotrans, D.Tibbitt and WesternPlains Thank this. -
Been wondering where you have been !! If u need help on something dont be afraid to ask or post on here . Somebody here has done it no matter what it is. Good luck on ur new adventure and welcome to the good side of truckin
Lumper Humper, Speed_Drums and WesternPlains Thank this. -
Am thinking about arranging a load to MT. Have something leaving me a couple days off. Then go Fishing! heheD.Tibbitt Thanks this. -
Just learn the securement regs as best you can. Dont be affraid to use more securement than necessary. It aint close the doors and roll.
In the winter you're gonna deal with frozen equipment, including the freight and deck of the trailer. Its dangerous. There are times where no matter what you do, that load is gonna suck to haul and will piss you off. In the summer you're gonna sweat, especially if you have to tarp anything. Take your time with everything, develop a routine of how you secure and unstrap. This will make you efficient. It'll also allow you to keep inventory of your equipment. Leaving stuff sitting on the trailer happens and it sucks.
Other than that, its pretty straight forward.blairandgretchen, D.Tibbitt, Wasted Thyme and 1 other person Thank this. -
And I can make more if I want.
I understand. Cost of living in Ca. is ludicrous. I was making 6 figures in 98, in Ca. -
D.Tibbitt Thanks this.
-
Sounds like your looking at step deck.
Have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.D.Tibbitt and WesternPlains Thank this. -
In my 40s I overdid my shoulders building an addition. Never broke anything, so I kept at it lol. Hung sheetrock on the cathedral ceiling, taped, mudded, omg by the time it was paint ready I was being visited nightly by a demon under the bed stabbing me in the shoulder with a sword....couldn't lift a box of tissues off the back seat. 5 years of physical therapy and then planet fitness to keep the rotator cuff flexible and not sore...but never felt like I got any strength back. Until flatbed. Only 3 times was I ready to give up or cry. 2 of those were tarping ##### slinkies....up and over, don't trip on the straps, up and over, don't trip... I decided to keep cash in the truck and bribe 20 year old drivers to help. Because f that at my age lol. But it's the best life for driving, imho. Adult driving hours, mental and physical activity, sleep because you're tired and eat because you are hungry, not from boredom and depression at abusive warehouses lol....
I was a desk jockey up to age 49, and I managed. I say 2 thumbs up...go for it.Truckermania, D.Tibbitt, cke and 3 others Thank this. -
D.Tibbitt Thanks this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 2