New to flatbed!!

Welcome to the forum brar.
1. Not True
2.Depends on your age
3.Good Idea
4.Maverick from i read on here.
Goodluck and enjoy this website

 

Good luck with that!

 

Cut your aspiration in half and concentrate on your securement and tarping skills. Welcome to the world of open freight hauling. A bad day pulling a deck would still be far better than a good day slamming doors.

 

1. Ever since the "economy crash" every industry has seen drops. There is lots of different freight for flatbeds, not just steel beams and lumber. Flatbed freight is still out there and still moving well. Every side of trucking has hot and cold zones. Don't expect to stay in the hot lanes 24/7.

2. If your expecting 4,000 miles a week as a newbie, DONT! It's not unrealalistic to get miles in or around that #, but not as a new driver. You really have to have your books/paperwork down pat before you can "just run 4,000 miles a week".

3. You mentioned the big names who I know that train, however I'm sure there are plenty that I don't know of. Also, w/ the bigger companys in FB you'll notice a much smaller hiring area so that will depend on where you live. Alot of the larger names have dedicated accounts that the companies try to find drivers to accomodate, which will then work to your behalf on hometime. If your not wanting to be home but every 4-6 weeks, then finding a local terminal isn't a big factor, but again....FB companies usually have a smaller hiring radius.

You might want put a year or 2 in with a larger name then try to find a smaller outfit or o/o to run for. The money in fb is usually a little more then dry van, but again....alot of variables. Me personally I run for an o/o and we have a WONDERFUL company/broker. I'm happy with 2500 miles a week but usually average between 2800 and 3400, just all depends. I don't want this to sound ####y or influence you, but with those miles I gross VERY GOOD money. HOWEVER, there is alot of difference running for an o/o then w/ a large company. I basicaly run that truck like I own it and look out for the owner, thats my office if my office is broke and not making money, then NO ONE makes money.

There are lots of FB'rs on here that I'm sure will lend info for you, but you need to open your eyes a bit and see the realistic side of things. You will not be getting 4000 miles a week to start consistantly. Hell, you won't get those miles consistantly once you have expereience. If your NEEDING to make 4000 miles a week to pay all your bills, then I wouls suggest you find something else to invest that schooling money in. FB'n is good to great money, hard work, and mind knumbing at times, but so is trucking in general.

Good luck w/ the schooling. I know Melton is a large fb, but I don't think they train. The only LARGE names I can think of that train are Maverick, Prime, TMC.

 

Like previous posters noted , the 4,000 miles a week for a newbie are not realistic if going solo.

Lots of NON housing market freight for flatbeds , heck even WATERMELONS ( rack & tarp ) when there is a demand.

 

1. Maybe for cheap freight haulers. There's a lot more hauled by flatbed than just lumber, though. Many of your smaller outfits will only haul lumber out of desperation or simply to get somewhere where better freight can be found.

4000 miles a week... concur with what was stated above

2. The only major carrier that I've worked for was Swift. I worked for their flatbed division from 2002 (when I got out of the Army) until 2003 (when I was called up from the National Guard and deployed). My experience with them.. I would describe it as fair. For all the ills, woes, and trash talk about Swift, they did do good at keeping my wheels turning, plus it gave me experience with both regular flatbeds and stepdeck trailers, plus I could always haul a door slammer box if there absolutely was no flatbed freight available where I was. For insight on other companies, I suggest you check out the "trucking company DAC reports" section.

3. It would be a good indicator that they have consistent freight in that region, but it's not absolute necessity. I lived in Mississippi and ran out of Eden, North Carolina when I was with Swift, for example. But it might be helpful if you don't have a place where you can park the truck while you're home, and it also makes it easier to have service work done on your truck during your home time, so that you don't have to take down time while out on the road to get that done.

4. I'll leave this to the drivers who've worked for them. If I were going to apply with those three, Maverick would probably be the one I hoped for, based on reputation. However, I have no in-depth knowledge of any of those companies.

 

I would agree. If I was to look at a major name I myself would pick Maverick as well. I have talked to LOADS of drivers on the road and only a select few were negative, but seemed that way becuase they acted like trucking was 9-5 mon-fri.

I mentioned the lumber because of his question about the housing market. Most lumber,brick and some shingles are just piss poor rates. But then again we do a couple loads a week for a shingle plant in tx that pays $4.00 a mile and they only run a 250 mile radius. It's not full time work, but just to tie up a day, hell yeah I'll run it.
You'll like this........the best paying lumber I've ever put on my trailer was *cough*.......*coughing some more*, Crane Mats!!! No one would believe me if I said the price I got, but they were on their last usuable stretch going to SLT from Jackson,Ms. I couldn't fathom the rate they paid, but sure enough.......I wasn't lied to and since then I've been prayin for simple mat loads that paid like that, LOL. Sometimes you get lucky out herE!

 

Maverick rates won't matter. Pay is the same. Same goes for bouncing. You are paid the same loaded or empty. Empty helps your fuel bonus.