What's your experience with Flatbed, Reefer and Dry Trailer

Flatbed, Refer, Van? - There is nothing wrong with doing any of them. It all depends on the company and how they want to screw you out of hard work for no pay. Now. they all want to pay you CPM with van comparable to reefer or flatbed a cent or two more. It that cent worth it? Generally no.

Flatbed is great if you love to work, and I do love to work. However, a lot of these flatbed companies like to pay $20 for tarping and strapping. No thanks, avoid those cheapskate companies like the plague they are. If they pay good and pay for your time tarping and strapping, flatbed can be a good racket with lots of day work.

Reefer is just the opposite. Almost always nite driving and early morning unloading. The runs tend to be shorter too. Mostly overnight runs with several hours of unloading detention that the reefer company will refuse to pay the driver. Sure they will promise paid detention from the recruiter or in orientation, but it will be rarely paid. On top of that you will get to waste more of your time with unpaid refer washouts, fueling, and repair.

That leaves van. While van has all the problems of flatbed and refer. They are much less. How much less? So much that the cent or two more companies pay for refer or flat, is actually a pay cut.

Now, what I say mainly applies to the mega-crap carries that hire newbies. It is entirely possible to get a good gig with flatbed or reefer. Just don't expect it to be your first job out of school.

 

With a good Van carrier you can earn the same if not more as Flatbed or Reefer without all the extra BS involved.

 

Dry van.... Pass them
Refer.... Pass them
Flatbed.... Pull them
Bull Rack.... Wave as they go by

 

Here some real advice from a veteran driver.

It simple!
If you are a lazy couch potatoe type of person. Then dry box/reefer is for you. The driver doesn't do anything other then drive and the other basic driver duties.

If you are an energetic person who thinks more about playing football, building things and other strenous activities. Then flatbed/car haulers are going be a better fit.

Find the right area of trucking where you will fit in the best. Is about knowing who you are. And how you are.

Many people don't consider this. And jump into apart of trucking where they don't fit. The bad thing is: it's hard after a number of years to go from dry van to flatbed as an example. Good reason. Driving experience only isn't enough for flat bed and many other parts of trucking. It only good for dry van/reefer companies mostly.

And some advice. Many who respond to these posts. Are not drivers at all.

 

Flatbed truly is the trucking master race. Those door slammers will never know the satisfaction of successfully securing and tarping a load in the sweltering heat, freezing cold, gusting wind and downpour rain. Aside from that, what is not to love about it? We do it with straps and chains..

 

You forgot about the cables and bungee cords.

I don't agree with the master race comment. My dad was a bedbugger all his life and he could put a trailer just about anywhere. I have seen flatbedders that would have trouble turning around in a 40 acre paved lot.

 

You forgot about putting up the side kit. Or having to tarp or in tarp in all weather conditions. I grew-up on them. Never will forget the time dad woke me up to help pick-up the bags of sand that fell off the back of the load. I think I was 10 at the time. Spent every summer with pop on the road growing up.

 

I started in refrigerated for 2 months, did dry van for another month or so, then started pulling flatbeds for about 4 years. Now I'm back to refrigerated for the last 9 months or so. I prefer flatbeds but this job was to good to pass up. I'm dedicated, home every weekend from Thursday to Sunday and occasionally through the week, and I'm paid on salary with weekly bonuses that are actually attainable. There's a lot I hate about refrigerated especially the 3am deliveries, but for the hometime and money I make its worth it. As far as flatbed goes, you either love it or hate it. It's a little more work but I always found myself to be much more satisfied at the end of the day. Loading and unloading you've got to be there completely paying attention. And you need to take load securement very serious, people can die if you don't.

 

Flatbed the forklift or crane operator asks YOU how you want the freight placed on your deck. You supervise and give hand signals. Sometimes you have to wrassle a piece into place.

Dry or reefer you usually have no touch freight, sitting in the cab while they do their thing. If you are doing a drop and hook and picking up a sealed trailer there's no telling how it's loaded. Can't remember how many times I opened the doors to a sealed container to see a mess (and be CAREFUL opening the doors). Load locks not properly installed and laying on the floor, no straps, pallets falling over, etc.

 

Yup! Agree with you there.... I'm honestly tired of reefer and warehouses. I am ready for a change in life...