Everytime I mention switching to flatbed people act like I said something crazy! Tarping this and weather that… Is it really that bad?
Posted by Background_Hand5004@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 43 comments
pm_me_ur_demotape@reddit
It's physical and outdoors. Some people hate that.
I did it in Alaska and liked it, but if handling chains or frozen straps in the dark when it's -10° outside and climbing all over random equipment sounds bad to you, then yeah, stay away.
Often pays better than other types of trucking, but that always depends on a lot of variables.
CobraWasTaken@reddit
I wouldn't even say often. I would say sometimes it pays better. A lot of the flatbed companies seem like they pay more than dry van or reefer because their cpm is higher and you get tarp pay etc. but the reality is you may end up getting a lot less miles most weeks. The pay works out to about the same for less driving but more physical work. Some people like the physical work so good for them I guess.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
How many miles a week do you get doing dry van?
CobraWasTaken@reddit
I pull a reefer but I get 3300 a week running on recaps
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
You probably get more miles than me a year then. I get 2000 to 3000, depending on the week. I run my clock out though, I like my day and a half break now
LongjumpingCat6642@reddit
I’m flatbed with no intentions on going anywhere else, except MAYBE tankers. I need a job that isn’t just driving. I know LTL fits that bill but ehhhh, I’ll probably be open deck all the way
MrFahrenheit99@reddit
I switched from flatbed to tanker and boy I wish I did this a long time ago. Not because I didn’t like flatbed but because I DO like money.
LongjumpingCat6642@reddit
Oh, and if you go flatbed get all your endorsements. A couple of IBC totes and suddenly you’re a tanker. Some roofing glue and you’re hazmat. Doubles.
I know gypsum express trailers have pintles. And some local guys run b trains for coils
cohonan@reddit
Specifically three 330 gallon totes filled only to the “full” line puts you juuust under the 1,000 gallon threshold.
IndexFingerTypist@reddit
I enjoy it. Except when I'm hauling gypsum. I become a nervous wreck at the receivers when they look at it too long. Yeah the wind nibbles the corners a bit from the tarps moving... Sometimes a little moisture gets in and I lose my mind. Still haven't gotten a perfect gypsum tarp down.
disturbedrailroader@reddit
To give you a bit of piece of mind, most receivers order drywall expecting some of it to be waste. Usually it's the straps cutting into the first few sheets, but a little bit of moisture isn't a huge problem.
What I used to do was pull up the flaps on the ends of the load to make sure the plastic was laid out correctly before securing the tarp. Roll up the sides of the tarp to create a kind of gutter for the rain to move on instead of pockets where water sits in when the tarp is folded. Finally, make sure those bungees are tight to help control movement.
MostlyUseful@reddit
Personally, I love it. Yeah, you sweat balls in the summer. You can even sweat in the winter😉. I giggle when I hear people say it’s too much work. It’s a free gym membership to me. I’m old and female, and I’m doing it just fine. Remember, physical activity releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. It’s better to be happy than a miserable sourpuss. Bonus: I can open my own pickle jars.
External_Result_8560@reddit
Yesterday I dropped a 2 tarp load. I wasn’t able to roll up my tarps at the receiver because the wind was wild. Another driver attempted to help but still no use. Tarps are heavy as it is..but having to roll up the tarp irregularly and then lifting it onto the bed was a whole other beast
disturbedrailroader@reddit
I've had to do that often, unfortunately. Most of the time I was able to use my dunnage to get it somewhat close. There was a handful of times though where no amount of dunnage was going to help. One place allowed me to use their storage shed to fold and roll, but most told me to kick rocks. I made a note of those places and refused to go back.
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
I don’t mind the work and actually prefer the exercise. It’s just not being able to shower and have to ride in the funk.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
It's not that bad, all those people are just weak minded and physically can't hack it. It is what it is. We all have our roles in trucking 🤷
trucksarekewl@reddit
It just aint worth the money unless you're doing oversized or something similar
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
Not trying to be a dick, but you're just proving what I said. I was just stating facts with what I said. Tarping and securing a load with straps and chains literally isn't that bad and flatbed looks way better on your resume for even dry van companies.
It's a lifestyle for sure though, more so than dry van and I've done dry van. On the flip side, Dry van made me depressed with how mundane it was. You've gotta be built for Dry Van, we've all got our places we fit in 🤷
The-Shartist@reddit
"You've gotta be built for Dry Van"... I think you meant not built, at all.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
I meant mentally haha
trucksarekewl@reddit
I did flatbed for a few years. Not worth it
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
You've gotta enjoy it, it's not for everyone. Nothing wrong with it not being worth it for you, but for OP it could be the bees knees because he can handle the lifestyle 🤷
trucksarekewl@reddit
Gotta work smarter not harder. Why do all that shit when I can kick back and drive with no worries, and make more money. Pretty easy choice. But to each their own ya know
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
Guy I knew made $800k in a year as an owner op hauling for the DoD doing flatbed, but to each their own 🤷
trucksarekewl@reddit
Please see my original comment lol
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
Lol you do you my man
trucksarekewl@reddit
Yea thats the plan bro
Freightshaker000@reddit
I loved it, but it broke my body. Winters can be a real test with frozen straps, tarps, and just working in the cold, so I suggest starting in the summer and then hit winter at least knowing what you're doing.
Strapping and tarping comes down to efficiency; speed will come later.
Radiant_Swan187@reddit
You have some other issues going on if flatbedding is hard on your body man.
Freightshaker000@reddit
Too much jumping off the deck. Years of it have messed up my lower back.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
Yeah my knees feel it, I use the trailer tires to climb down now
Freightshaker000@reddit
All the old timers told me it would destroy my knees, but it killed my back instead. Either way, it was too easy to just jump down and I ignored the warning. Now, at 58, my body cashes the checks I wrote at 40.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
I ignored the warnings too until I felt the pain. Funny how history keeps repeating itself
FlatbedtruckingCA@reddit
When its 110° outside, raining, snowing, and you have to strap and tarp it sucks (AZ and CA) .. most of the time it isnt that bad but you do get a lot more exercise.. i do LTL linehaul now so i get alot more miles and it ends up being just about the same as if i was still doing flatbed tbh..
stjhnstv@reddit
I never pulled flatbed, I was a door swinger. But, I’ve dispatched and worked pretty closely with a good number of flatbedders and I have a ton of respect for what they do. It definitely is not for everybody and not everybody has what it takes. It’s also more mentally challenging than many expect, especially if you’re hauling a step deck. Each load can be a challenge to figure out how to secure. Lumber, steel, pipe, coils, vehicles, hodgepodge mix and match loads, it can get interesting and require some solid problem solving.
It’s a different kind of challenge from what I’ve seen. Some thrive on that and love it. Others hate it or just aren’t cut out for it. It can pay really well but don’t do it just for that. Sometimes can actually pays more. Whether or not it’s worth it, that’s something only you can decide for yourself. 20 years ago I probably would have enjoyed it. Pushing 50, I’ll help if needed but no way I’d want to do it full time.
rolisrntx@reddit
I’m probably crazy wanting to do flatbed at 60 yrs old but I want to try it.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
I've got a buddy that's 66 that still does it, but he's local and doesn't tarp, I should say refuses to tarp haha. I've trained guys in their 50's on how to tarp when I was an instructor and they were struggling with tarps but made it through and love flatbed
rolisrntx@reddit
I retire early from my current job in November. I have 5.5 months to get my fat butt in shape and have been working on it. Still healthy with no health issues. I just need to get some upper body strength back.
AsphaltPirate74@reddit
That'll help a lot. Typically flatbed companies make you do a physical where you carry chains, tarps and check your blood pressure. In my experience they make you lift the a single tarp onto the deck of a trailer which sits somewhere around 5 feet off the ground, I can't remember. Tarps on average weigh anywhere from 80-120lbs in perfect dry conditions, but with water, ice or snow, they get heavier. Hope this helps!
ibandazz@reddit
I would avoid if you can , I was helping someone tarp yesterday in Oklahoma, it was windy asf ,
StonedTrucker@reddit
Its not bad at all as long as you can throw the tarps and climb on the trailer. If you struggle with those things then i would imagine flatbed sucks
Ancient_Alien_@reddit
What’s your physical condition?
HappyRockD@reddit
It is real work that you don't get in most other trucking gigs. You will be dirty and cold/hot all the time. If you can deal with, or even enjoy, hard work and discomfort then it's not that bad. Oh yeah, and the DOT cops tend to pay more attention to you.