No exp, should I start with box trucks?

Straight trucks/box trucks are usally CDL B, therefore if and when you wanna drive tractor trailer, box truck experience won't do anything for you. It might give you an idea on how bump a dock, but as far as TT companies are concerned you have no experience and you will be required to complete training and obtain a CDL A.

 

If your goal is 18 wheelers, then jump right in. Don't waste time in box trucks.
Same with tankers, don't waste time with reefers, vans, etc. if you want a tanker career. Go right in to tankers out of CDL school.

 

agreed. do what you want to do, be it dry box,reefer,tanker,flat,RGN,step,etc. go for what your love is

 

I also agree if you have a fancy and a company will put you in the seat go for it, whatever you choose takes time to learn and once you get it you got it flatbed is more load securement but tractor trailer 18 wheel is what it is and can only be learned from the drivers seat.

 

Do companies allow drivers to switch between fleets?
For example, If I were to go train for my cdl and drive for prime (what i plan to do), would I have the choice to switch fleets if I feel that tankers, flat, reefs, etc aren't my thing?

 

Well you said class so I assume your at truck driving school so it's to late, go drive class A.

The only reason to drive class B is to get someone else to pay for your class A.

 

Some do some don't, don't know much about prime other then I wouldn't work for them.

If your not oposed to relocating and you really want to work for a mega carrier schnieder tank division isn't the worst option.

 

Never heard of a company not allowing a driver to switch fleets. Sometimes they have a time requirement such as 6 months or so in one fleet before being allowed to switch.

Wil-Trans and Earl Henderson Trucking are connected to Prime. They both pull Prime trailers and haul Prime freight.
Wil-Trans uses full sized trucks and Prime uses lightweights in their reefer division.
Someone posted Henderson pulls reefers, tanks, flatbeds for Prime. The only difference is the mudflaps will show which company is pulling the trailers.
Henderson has a guaranteed minimum weekly pay, so in slow times you can budget because you know the very least your paycheck will be.
Check out all 3 companies, then make a decision. All 3 have their own CDL training.

 

Generally I tell folks to stay away from mega carriers but if you want to drive tanks it can be hard to get experienced. So if you do go with a big carrier go tanks or doubles, so you can get out with a skill set that pays.