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OTR Flatbed or Dry Van LTL

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Farva, Feb 3, 2023.

  1. Feb 3, 2023 #1
    Farva

    Farva Light Load Member

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    Oct 23, 2018
    South Dakota
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    While I'm not new to driving, the options I'm presenting are new and hoping some experienced drivers will chime in.

    I have an opportunity to do Dry Van LTL out of SD to NE, CO, Rawlins, Pinedale, Jackson WY to Grantsville, UT for w/ a backhaul back to SD.

    or

    PODS OTR Flatbed

    Would you take OTR PODS and not home every weekend or LTL to the worst parts of Wyoming every week with strong chances of never making it home on the weekend during the winter months?
     
    Farva, Feb 3, 2023
    Farva, Feb 3, 2023
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  3. Feb 3, 2023 #2
    Vic Firth

    Vic Firth Road Train Member

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    I guess for the dry van, it depends on if you can afford to be sitting quite often during the winter waiting for the roads to open back up. Summer months would be better but from an annual income point of view maybe not such a good gig.
     
    Vic Firth, Feb 3, 2023
    Vic Firth, Feb 3, 2023
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  4. Feb 3, 2023 #3
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    It depends on what your home-time and income needs are. PODS should be pretty easy, unless you are going to homes for PU & delivery. If you are moving PODS from distribution center to distribution center it is the easiest form of flatbed possible.

    Is the LTL in a 53 ft trailer or doubles? LTL companies are not going to pressure you to drive in high-profile, low weight, high wind conditions. I drove in that area in 2020-2021 and liked it. It is windy often, but there is less traffic than most places. Depending on the weather, you will probably make more money with LTL but have less hassles with PODS. Pick your poison.
     
    tscottme, Feb 3, 2023
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  5. Feb 3, 2023 #4
    JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    If it's OTR pods for England, USA, Blackhawk, or Werener ( the main mega haulers) i wouldn't think twice about it, get on with the LTL offer.
     
    JonJon78, Feb 3, 2023
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  7. Feb 4, 2023 #5
    Farva

    Farva Light Load Member

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    Oct 23, 2018
    South Dakota
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    The dry van LTL opp. has guaranteed $1250/wk min, even if I'm stuck due to I-80 closure...I just have to dispatch and leave my domicile each week to get the min. That being said, every driver that has been covering this particular route has been stuck on I-80 each week this winter, and some have never been able to get north of Rawlins to get to Pinedale and Jackson...when 80 East opens, they just go back to SD and try again the following week.
     
    Farva, Feb 4, 2023
    Farva, Feb 4, 2023
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  8. Feb 4, 2023 #6
    Farva

    Farva Light Load Member

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    South Dakota
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    The PODS acct would be w/ Blackhawk and the complaint I'm hearing right now is how long their sitting between dispatches currently due to economic shifts.

    The LTL would be 53' (no doubles).
     
    Farva, Feb 4, 2023
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  9. Feb 4, 2023 #7
    Farva

    Farva Light Load Member

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    South Dakota
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    It would be with Blackhawk.
     
    Farva, Feb 4, 2023
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  10. Feb 7, 2023 #8
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Then I would pick the LTL with a guarantee weekly pay. The downside to driving out West is the weather. If you have a weekly guarantee drivers are actually getting then I would drive the LTL. There is no heroic effort required to overcome the weather. If you carry good clothes, some food and water, and DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST/CLOSE FOR CONDITIONS you have a pretty good gig.
     
    tscottme, Feb 7, 2023
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  11. Feb 10, 2023 #9
    Farva

    Farva Light Load Member

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    I'm currently the driver manager for this account, but in the process of trying to find/hire my replacement and going back into one of our trucks...so I'm familiar w/ the company/policies/management, etc.

    I'm in no rush to be home on weekends, will have my dog, and if I ever need time off I know it will be approved w/o question...with the exception of course with being stuck between Cheyenne and Rawlins at some point every week during the winter months.
     
    Farva, Feb 10, 2023
    Farva, Feb 10, 2023
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