"Do not ever drive flatbed"

I started pulling boxes and bumping docks for a year and then went to flatbed and will never go back. For me, the monotony of doing the same "drop & hook", "bump this dock and that dock" just was boring IMO. When I got into flatbedding, it was night & day. I loved the fact that I was more active in loading, securing, tarping, etc. It kept me in shape and also worked my mind more as well. Sure, I heard the same as you but it's all in what you make of it. I for one will be a flatbed driver for life.

 

Some ppl don't mind the challenge of tarping in -20 weather with the wind blowing at 30 mph or bakeing in 115*f sun to strap and tarp. Some do. Or getting a face full of snow trying to get a frozen tarp off a load, some ppl do mind.

Some ppl don't want the challenge of backing into a dock ment for a small box truck, some do.

 

I used to pull boxes, went to flatbed and won't go back to anything else. I love to drive trucks and I love to flatbed.

I like securing loads and making sure they don't go anywhere, peace of mind

 

The first 5 years of driving truck was pulling van. Then, one day, for no reason at all, I applied to a flatbed company. They accepted me and I left the only trucking job I ever had for something that wasn't so easy. And I'll never go back to a van. I enjoy the challenge of securing different loads. Tarping sucks, but not near as much as bumping the same docks week after week.

I live a flatbed life and love it

 

The only reason I would hesitate to drive a flatbed is that the rates for tarping and securing loads seem low. Am I wrong about this? I have seen rates like 10 or 15 bucks. This seems too low.

 

The best 2 trucking jobs are flatbed & tanker. I know from experience; I've done van, reefer, flatbed, tanker. I will admit I had a couple of excellent reefer jobs though. Flatbedding is addictive and it's a great way to make a living. It's not hard at all; the shipper loads the trailer & the receiver unloads. Easy money.

 

i have done some flat and now i got a bad back and cant throw tarps and climb all over the load so if back gets better i might try and go tmc for my flat exp. is class b st. they just have slow trucks makes for a long ride i hate pulling box. just not sure if my back can keep up with me lol

 

Some companies pay pretty good. Melton Truck Lines pays $40.00 & the way I look at it, that's approximately 4 all-you-can-eat buffet meals.

 

Other than pulling a dump trailer and a bull wagon (short stint on each), flat and step deck is all I have ever pulled in 20 plus years. The only box I have ever pulled in my life was taking my road test for my CDL.