Why would anyone want to pull flatbed trailers?

Yeah, that's the down side, working in the elements, but it does require a bit more thinking, the stuff can't fall off. Besides, van/reefer no day at the beach. Tipped over freight, "oh yeah, that all goes on small wood", or, "I don't know why you're here, we don't need your freight", gets mighty old.

 

Van Trucker



Flatbed trucker




Is there more of a better reason?

 

Funny thing is, they're the same person! This is actually a before and after shot.

 

It's typically the driver's responsibility with van too. It's just easier to get away with shirking that responsibility with a van because the DOT can't see your securement methods from inside the scalehouse.

As far as why, the #1 reason I hear is better revenue, #2 is probably status among truckers, there's a perception of extra prestige or at least extra money, and number 3 is probably more exercise. Getting paid to work out is a strong argument, but for me, one drawback is less weekend freight, which kinda evens out the revenue angle.

Another major bonus for flat is you need that securement experience for at least a year or two in order to be able to level up to oversize, which can be way better paying than the rest.

 

Did flat out of the gate.
My priority rationale was
3. Excercise
1. Revenue (though that was icing on the cake tbh, didnt know that ahead of time)
2. Bragging rights on oversize, most people can drive a car, far less an 18 wheeler, far fewer even of those can do oversize

Also, i dont actually enjoy driving, van and reefer seemed like the only way to increase the paycheck was more miles, flatbed, year one i had a night that was 5 x85 mile round trip loads that made ME as a % paid company driver 1000$

 

With an empty van you look like you are loaded all the time.

With an empty refer just leave it running and no one would be the wiser.

With a loaded van you are generally hauling boring everyday stuff.

With a loaded flat you always have interesting stuff to look at.

With an empty flat you can have a bar-b-que tailgate party stripper stage.

 

Got that #### right.

 

Because some people want to do more than the bare minimum to exist in life. There’s a reason most mega companies start people out with a box. It’s the easiest. It requires the least amount of thought and participation from the driver.

 

Because this takes alot more skill than pulling a van around slamming doors




Also you typically get paid better and it's alot more interesting and challenging than a box on wheels

 

I’ve delivered flatbed freight to some of the most beautiful places in this country. I’ve parked overnight at some job sites that are nicer than a 5 star hotel view in the city.

Box freight is always some square wear house with a million doors that all look the same.
It is easier to keep your truck clean pulling a box though.

 

Not always. Depends on the carrier and their contracts. One time I bumped a dock that I swear was built for horse drawn carriage. And I've bumped quite a few that weren't much newer than that. But then again, I have a soft spot for old industrial rust belt type scenery. Worn red bricks and teetering wood frames, weeds growing up thru the cracks, that sort of thing. The place I'm at right now has four docks, with a river flowing thru the woods behind it.