Roehl Flatbed

I decided to go for flats because as ducks said, you can always pull a van or curtain. My recruiter said something similar when I was first asked which way I want to go. She said when flat freight is slow you can pull something else so you will always have miles. If van freight slows then those guys sit waiting. I also figured to make myself as marketable as possible if I ever wanted to go elsewhere. I start RDTC on Monday and can't wait to get started. Hopefully flats will help me get these last few lbs off! Lol.

 

I know the plant you are talking about. Live about a 3 miles from it. Saw my first Roehl flatbedder headed their yesterday.

 

I called my recruiter today to get the ball rolling. The main reason I wanted flat bed, and you all stated it, was to have more options. Looks like I will have that now. Thanks for your input.

Hope to see you all on the road in about 4 weeks.

 

I'll be up that way tomorrow delivering in Minneapolis, usually get something back south out of Shakopee.

 

As somebody already said, shingles out of your area, pavers, pipe, lumber, Cat equipment, ceiling tile, chillers, industrial fans and farm equipment to name a few...Seems to be alot of steel loads too anymore.
The miles will vary depending on how long you want to be out and the area you are in. Chris normally leaves Sunday afternoon and comes back in on Friday afternoon/evening, but in the summer months he's out 3-4 weeks at a time depending on which daughter is riding along. Freight typically falls off in Nov and come back in March. His dispatched miles for Jan were 7630, Mar was 8989, May was 9261 and July was 10,699. Total dispatched miles so far this year as of the end of July were 62,424.

They are working on replacing the fleet..but there are days that depending on how heavy you are the truck wouldn't get out of it's own way if it had to.

I really can't answer that except to tell you what Chris told me one day...It's always a challenge.

 

And Chris would know because he has been doing flats at Roehl for quite a while. Tank you do live in an excellent area for flatbed, and should do fine. The twin cities are also the destination for alot of flatbed loads too. We used to live in a really good place over here in NW Pennsylvania, then most of the lumber mills have closed, so there is not as much work around here. I think you will do fine.

 

Yes we still have a drop yard in St. Paul Park.

 

and, we haul coils from Gary to Savage.. so it's also easy to get people back up there.

 

Good luck to you!! Flats are fun but just a word of advice... If you look at a load and think that you need another strap or chain, throw two!!! There is nothing worse than having a load you're uncomfortable with anyway start to slide on you!!!!