Owner Op Flatbed vs Carhaul

Hello BruceWayne911.Sorry i cant say a word about carhauling.After yrs of hauling a bull wagon-i started flatbedding.Loved it.Took a break from trucking,upon my return,i hauled dry van.Got bored w/that-realized how much i missed flatbed.Not knocking what anyone pulls(we all make this country operate)this is just my input.
I find flatbed a challenge.Sometimes you haul some unique pieces of equiptment.Gotta use your head on securement.It's not for everyone.It's alot of exercise,your on n off the trailer,stopping every couple hundred miles n checking your chains/straps.Watching your load.Flatbedding-im the lumper-i have to be out there to do whats needed for the particular load,i have to be out there to undo everything i did for the unload.
If i had to tarp-i have to untarp n wrap it up.I have to carry wood,nails,edge protectors,etc.I have to have sideboxes n lumber racks.Headache rack,chains,binders,straps.
And i have to remember to lock it all up.You can spend 5 grand on equiptment before you pull a load.
Ive always found dec-jan-feb a general flatbed slowdown.32 yrs in the business-i can afford to shut down in the winter as the good(decent)pay that i make in 9 months-covers the year.
I like not waiting to be unloaded/loaded.I like not bumping docks.Usually,in flatbed,they are waiting for you.Youre usually in n out.All different areas to-farms,drill rigs,mountain tops,ports-you name it.
Very diversified aspect of trucking.I find it fun-which keeps me from being bored.
Since your young in your cdl career-after your done just opening your doors n slamming docks-do give flatbed a try for a year or two.
Like i said-it's not for everyone-but its healthy(workout).Keep 4 seasons of clothes in the truck.
Good luck n congrats on working your way thru your 1st year.

 

Well said Scottyboy...

 

I cannot speak to being a flat bed driver full time. The only flat bed experience I have is when I worked for crane companies for 6 years. I was an operator and when we weren't in the crane we were drivers mostly hauling counter weights. Seems as though Scottyboy pretty much covered the flat bed part. I am a car hauler though...got back into it after taking a fall off a crane and being out of work for nearly 2 years. I work as a company car hauler out of MD. Same as flat bed we are out in all the weather! Hot, cold, rain, sleet and snow the cars gotta go. It isn't for everyone. But if you have patience and know you're not going to make top money right off the bat you might be alright. After getting your load you need to inspect every vehicle for damage. Then figure out your stops and what is going to fit where on the truck to limit reloading (time is money). Learning to load and unload without tearing up your freight is one of the biggest challenges! Roof a car or have to many damages is the quickest way to get back to bumping docks!! Once you're loaded it's off to the dealership. And then unload. The thing I like most about hauling cars is there is no waiting on a door or a dock worker to decide when you are going to load or unload. They get 'EM when I get them there! It's a great living but like everything else it has it's own challenges and rewards!

 

Oh yeah a few things I forgot...it's not like driving a regular truck.. anyone who has followed a car carrier down the road can attest to. Sometimes it's like driving doubles with the heavy trailer in the back! They wiggle alot and now that most are strap trucks they bounce a bunch!! When you have 10 vehicles bouncing in different directions it gets a lil hairy sometimes! Just pay attention and stay off the phone and most will be alright!

 

Oh I forgot to mention the low tree limbs and bridges!!! Trying to make loads fit and be 13'6"ish is tough sometimes. Sorry I could go on and on! I love what I do and will recommend it to anyone looking to better their financial situation. Just want to be as honest as I can be. When it's 65° and sunny out who wants to be stuck indoors....right?

 

Since your question was prefaced with "owner op" I will reference that part. I was a flatbed owner op in my early 20's and learned quite a bit with a used truck and trailer. There is still good money in certain segments of flatbed, but not every segment, however this is often true with many types of business not just trucking.

I became a company carhauler at 45 and carhaul owner op at 50 and I hope I never do any other form of trucking again. It's one of the hardest jobs I have ever had, it does get much easier when you know what you are doing and the schedule is awesome. No appointment times or waiting to load or unload and the money is usually what you want it to be within reason. $5,000-$6,000 a week gross, depends on how hard you work. The net will depend on how you run your business and how much you borrow for a rig. $3,000-$4,000 net a week is doable. A paid for rig is the best plan, but many carhaul owner ops pay $4,000-$6,000 a month for a rig. The "new car hauling" industry weekly average gross per rig is $6,000-$6,500, but $8,000 a week is doable in certain situations. My company pays 85% of gross and 100% of fuel surcharge.

I can tell you that you do not want to be an owner op carhauler until you have worked for several years hauling cars as a company driver. You can make $80,000-$120,000 a year as a company carhauler. In carhaul when you learn things it usually means you have torn something up. $1,000 here $2,5000 there ads up. When you are an owner op, you pay the first $5,000 in damages per incident before your insurance kicks in. There are buy down programs for the deductible, but you will pay for it. You will need a rig that new will cost almost $300,000. In order to lease on with a major carrier you will need a rig no older than 10 years. A 10 year old car carrier could be shot or in desperate need of a total refurb depending on how it was maintained, so you will need somewhere between $150,000-$300,000 for a used or new rig.

It is a great job, but it isn't for everyone. See if you can make it as a company driver and if you like it save some money and buy your own rig in a few years. Less than half of the people hired to haul cars make it thru the training and get out on their own and last a year. Good luck!