Pros/Cons of flatbeds,reefers,dry box etc...

Something to think about if going flatbed(see attachment pic). BTW, Werner is not known as a good company (unless you want to bring home $500 week). Try Crete; or CFI. I started at Arrow (Tulsa, OK) flatbed company. I also got my CDL from a Tech School. Arrow has good flatbed training, my cousin is still there. Just not enough $$ for me, so I went lease op with Prime; now I own my own truck and work for an O/O only company. Keep researching and good luck.

 

Most companies will not hire you unless you have 6 months experience (no tickets/accidents). So who you pick to be the first, you need to stay 6 mos. Otherwise, you will have problems getting on a reputable company. Please, take a look elsewhere than Werner.

 

Pros of pulling a reefer:
* You can get some really good coast to coast miles, especially with produce coming from CA
* Reefers can haul almost anything: refrigerated and dry goods
* With a generic trailer and company name, no one knows just exactly what you may be hauling in that box
* Many reefers are air-ride; those can be a joy to pull

Cons of pulling a reefer:
* The refrigerator unit can be very noisy behind your cab and may make other drivers that you park next to very upset! (FWIW, when I pulled a reefer, the unit just stayed on rather than cycle on and off; I had no problems sleeping in front of one)
* When the unit goes out and your strawberries start to grow those pesky whiskers! Supermarkets don't like to see that!
* You might have to wait at some distributors quite a while to get unloaded
* Axling out a heavy load
* Sweeping out the floor can be a real bear

Pros of pulling a flatbed:
* No hand unload!
*There might not be a lot of backing; I see a lot of places where a flatbed just pulls in and they can unload him right where he is.
* You might have some oversize loads that can be a lot of fun (or a headache...)
* Potential for very little hazmat, although I've seen a few

Cons of pulling a flatbed:
* Getting in tight spaces
* Oversize loads
* Strap and tarp that load! Especially with McElroy Truck Lines (Must Tarp Load)
* Do you really want to go WAYYYY up there?
* High, strong winds might carry you and your tarp off!
* Folding those tarps in winter weather

Pros of pulling a dry van:
* I get to do a fair amount of drop and hook
* No whiskers on my strawberries! I don't deal with that in a dry van
* Smooth, level wooden floors usually makes sweeping out a breeze
* No tarping and strapping like with flatbeds; close the doors and seal it
* No extra weight you'll have with a reefer cabinet and fuel tank underneath
* With a generic trailer and company name, no one knows just exactly what you may be hauling in that box
* Some dry vans are air-ride; those can be a joy to pull. My company has definitely been heading this way, based on my recommendation


Cons of pulling a dry van:
* You might have to sit a while in a dock waiting to get loaded or unloaded
* You might have a fair amount of hazmat to haul, depends on your company
* Axling a heavy load with a 53' trailer
* Wooden walls may be rejected at some shippers due to the product they ship; I have one customer like that
* Warped doors on old ragged-out trailers are a pain in the rear


Pros of pulling a tanker:
* No hand unload; just hook up a hose and let 'er flow!
* No need to slide tandems in axling out

Cons of pulling a tanker:
* LOTS of hazmat
* Potential is huge for a rollover
* Unloading usually takes much longer than loading
* Dirty hoses exposed to the weather
* Potential for leaks that can result in big fines


Some of these ideas based on what I have experienced, although I have no experience pulling a flatbed. I am experienced with dry van, reefer, and tanker. Forgive please if I'm a bit prejudiced, but I love pulling a dry van. However, I do have reefer experience and that can be a good experience too, depending on your commodity.

Follow what other drivers have to say about their various experiences based on the type of trailer they pull, ask other drivers out there why they pull what they pull and then make your decision.

All the best to you as you complete school and come out here into the wonderful world of professional driving!

 

Arrow (company driver) paid me $10 to tarp/untarp. I considered that an insult. Prime paid $50-$75. I made $5000 last year just in tarping fees. Something to consider.

 

I would read about what Werner is doing to recent graduates like making them wait 5-6 weeks for a truck.

Arrow will hire you right out of school if I was you that is what I would do. I pull flats and there is nothing else I'd rather do. It's allways different, gives you a challenge, and you aren't bumping docks all the time.

 

Check with Con way! been doing some looking there myself. They are a very financialy strong carrier. There drivers are still making good miles. They hire grads also! If you dont mind being out ten days they are a good company!


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