What's better for a new driver; Dry Van or Flatbed?

There's a lot to learn in your first year of Trucking, if I was you, I'd start off pulling Dry van. Flat bed trailers are a lot more work (tarps are heavy and you'll be tarping in show and freezing rain) Good luck, be tough and hang in there.

 

I'm 11 months ahead of you and chose the flatbed route. I was hooked when my company offered me a new truck. I can't imagine pulling a dry van full time but I did pull one for a week. I get a lot of pride out of pulling a well secured load, enjoy talking to the other flatbedders and my customers are awesome. If you look and listen - you will learn something new almost everyday. I roll out sunday night or early Monday and can make it home thursday night with a local unload and load on friday. I will have run 125,000 miles by my yearend and have enjoyed most of it. You do get dirty flatbedding and I seldom miss a night without a shower. Between sweat and dirty tarps or crawling over a load- I need a shower, even if I have to buy it. I feel better,sleep better and I never go home grungy-especially if I'm arriving later in the evening. I think I eat better than many OTR drivers as I prepare three or four frozen meals and sandwiches before I leave. I lost 25 lbs the first few months but I was able to find it again!! I am in better shape than I have been for years and I attribute it to flatbedding. What ever you choose- good luck!

 

I think it is usually best to start with vans, get some experience and then move over to flats, if that is your goal. But, TMC and Maverick are a couple of flat bed carriers that will train inexperienced drivers. If you are a fast learner then you might do well starting with flats. For most drivers it is easier to learn one thing at a time. Just as you don't learn how to safely drive an 18 wheeler over night, neither will you learn how to properly secure an open deck load over night.

 

WOMEN!!

 

Yeah, It's the one that makes tha money, so right now its her.

 

This is what I needed to hear. If you ever get thorough Cleveland, Oh drop a line. I think I will do this, bcuz, longer I sit. the more of the trainng I lose. Thanks kwloo, thanks a lot for this post.

 

Update: Just applied to TransAm and talked to Maverick. Maverick said because I had no verifiable job history for the last year and half, could get me into the program. Waiting to hear from every one else.

 

Dry van/reefer if you want to stay clean and flatbed if you want to smell your balls through your clothes.