Pros vs. Cons. Refer,flatbed,van,tanker

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by spokman, Jul 24, 2006.

  1. spokman

    spokman Bobtail Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    I am very interested in getting into trucking. Have spoken with some recruiters, etc. However, the idea of unloading a 53' van with a hand dolly does not appeal to me (marginal back problems, currently out of shape). What are the pros and cons to the following:

    1) Dry van
    2) Refer
    3) Flatbed
    4) Tanker

    Your input would be greatly appreciated.
     
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  3. Duckie

    Duckie Light Load Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    Most companies hire lumpers to unload reefers and dry vans with the option of you doing it for little pay. I myself am a flatbedder, it is very hot in summer and very cold in the winter. Sometimes can be very hard ### work, sometimes not. I like flatbedding b/c it keeps me working not just driving all the time. I have a bad back and much to my dismay the doc has told me I cant flatbed anymore and I am currently looking to move to a reefer company. I cant offer to much info on the box or reefer seeing as I havent done much of eithier. I can tell you this if you dont want to ever touch frieght and just sit in the truck during loading and unloading get into food grade tanking.
     
  4. spokman

    spokman Bobtail Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    Yeah, that's why I was thinking tanker. We have a company here that hires for tankers but you have to go into their flatbed fleet for 6 months first. I wouldn't mind using a pallet jack, but to hand unload an entire van would stink. Tarping is really the only loading/unloading job with flatbed, isn't it?
     
  5. Duckie

    Duckie Light Load Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
    Alabama
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    I wish, tarping can be a pain. But to me securement is the most work. I like tarping, most people complain about it. Just prepare for the weather, drink lots of water and carry plenty of spare clothes. You will get nastier than you have ever been pulling a flatbed. I have always been a flatbedder I have expermented with other and always come back to my love of the flatbed.
     
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  6. spokman

    spokman Bobtail Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    Doesn't sound like it is all that fun. But if you drive van or refer there is uaually lumpers? What if there isn't. Do you have to "hand" unload everything with a hand dolly? The idea of unloading a dry van in Arizona/Texas during the summer sounds like it would really stink!
     
  7. Duckie

    Duckie Light Load Member

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    I promise you this for every 100 loads you get a lumper to do you might unload one yourself. It is very rare you have to unload your own trailor. Some consignees unload the freight w/o having to pay lumpers. Dont worry about it, I promise you if you go to van or reefer you probably wont ever touch frieght. I pulled reefer for 1 year and unloaded 1 trailor by choice, I got tired of waiting on the drag ### lumper.
     
  8. spokman

    spokman Bobtail Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    Sounds like refer is it. Why do you like to flatbed so much????
     
  9. Duckie

    Duckie Light Load Member

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    Well let break it to you like this Reefer run coast to coast always having to go go go b/c you more than likely have food products that might spoil, then get where you are going and have two rejected pallets, now you got to get rid of those and tie up half a day. Go to CA with a reefer, multiple picks we are talking hours buddy. Flatbed - Unload at butcrack of dawn, reload by noon, take a shower drive for 7-8 hours go to bed. It is the good life. I sleep every night, I have time to play around and I dont worry about my load spoinling or being rejected.
     
  10. spokman

    spokman Bobtail Member

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    Jul 21, 2006
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    Good point. What about tanker though? Know anyone who hauls tanker?
     
  11. Duckie

    Duckie Light Load Member

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    Tanker can be sweet if you want to be lazy. Food grade tanking is fatboys paradise. You dont do anything but drive, I have a close friend who pulls for prime's tanker division, the shippers load him and then bring the paperwork to him in his truck, he then drives to the cosignee they hook up his hoses and unload him then you guessed bring the paperwork to him in his truck. Sometimes you have to hook up your own hoses but that is still easy. Tanker is not a bad deal as long as it is food grade.The boom boom wagons, tankers hauling fuel or what not I couldnt tell you, I know I see them hauling ### down the road a lot so that leads me to suspect they are always in a hurry.
     
    Magnum1 Thanks this.
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