What Is The Best Kind Of Freight To Make The Most Earnings Off Of? What Endorsements Do I Need To Get?

Hi, I am really wanting to be a successful trucker in the future. I am 22 years old and am following in both the footsteps of my Dad and Uncle Bob as they were former truckers and I have fallen in love with semi's and the traveling life ever since. I have been studying engineering but found that because of where I work at, I can't afford to proceed with studying and although I still want to study it, I love traveling and earning a better pay and having a better life style than being broke every week and month. So when my eyes came across CDS a CDL school where I go to school for the engineering classes is, I decided that I would sign up and begin a new career and chapter in my life. I now have my CDL class A permit and continuing my CDL training which should be up in January just a month before I turn 23. That is some background for what I am going to ask now.

I am wondering what freight I should consider hauling to make good money and what endorsements do I need to have for the freight? My Uncle Bob said that flatbed and van was the most fun to haul but does that necessarily mean I will make good money hauling it? I know my Uncle Bob one time hauled a dump trailer with grain or corn to a farm, cause I rode in the truck with him when I was like 8 or 10.

Another Question besides the main one, is it worth becoming an owner operator after some experience on the road?

Thanks for all your input and knowledge on this matter. God bless!

I was hired for prime trucking as a refrigerated driver. They're hiring me on at .46 cents per mile and I think the only one better paying is either tanker or flatbed for them.

Wow thats amazing. I do like flatbed but tanker is short of intimidating depending on the kind of liquid you are hauling. . Do they do oversize loads? Thank you for your input there thats definitely got my attention.

First and foremost do not go in just to chase paper. Yes we all do this for money, I got into this for money, but remember the first year is all about learning. Rookies usually make less money, get lower miles, etc. So don't come in thinking you will make a lot off the bat. Also most of us are paid by the mile that it doesn't matter what we haul, however people who unload their trailer (i.e. Dollar store guys, as a side note this job isn't encouraged to noobies) make more because they are paid by the mile, for each stop they make to deliver, and each trailer they unload also flatbed drivers tend to get paid a bit more and alot of the flatbed companies can have you home every weekend. Flatbed can be hard work, which is why I avoided it mainly because I wanted to focus solely on driving and not being nervous if a load is secured. You hinted about oversize, so flatbed may be of interest if you want to do heavy haul in the future.

We do not talk a about owner operating on here anymore. If you are interested in it you can search about it in the search bar. There are a lot of old threads about it. A word of advice though is to learn how to run right and make mistakes on somebody else's dime before you do it on your own.

I recommend also to research as much as possible and to keep your expectations low. The first year is tough, which is why a lot quit. I am on 6th month solo and let me tell you, it is no cake walk. Good luck and do not hesitate to ask any questions.

No worries, Gladhand, it's good advice and worth the laugh!

Hey Victor. Most people start out in dry van , refrigerated, or flatbed. Almost no one starts out in a tanker.

Personally I always recommend people seriously consider dry van or refrigerated for a while before moving to flatbed simply because you already have so much to worry about when you're new to this career. Adding the additional workload and knowledge base needed for flatbed makes the start to your career that much more difficult and dangerous. But plenty of people do it and it turns out just fine. Just be aware of that.

If you go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide you'll find tons of great information on all sorts of topics, including how to choose your first company to work for. It talks about the different types of freight and what it's like hauling each one. It will help you decide which type you feel is best for you.

There is no "best type of freight to haul" though. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages but you can make equally good money with all of them. The money you make is really going to come down to how motivated you are, how safe and reliable you are, and how well you get along with the people within your own company. Once you've proven yourself to your company you can do great hauling any type of freight.

Something to keep in mind about those Cents Per Mile numbers. They are directly linked to the amount of work you do in that category of trucking.

Dry van is mostly hauling loaded trailers around. Drop one, hook to your next load. "Turn and burn." You're mostly driving.

Flatbed drivers have to get physical with their loads. Lugging tarps around, securing, and releasing the freight.

Reefers are notorious for the wait times (measured in hours) at shippers and receivers. "Detention pay" does not necessarily match CPM for highway driving.

Tankers need to be hooked up, usually with big hoses you'll have to wrestle. Plus possible hazmat considerations.

As Brett suggests, get your experience with a few years simply pulling boxes around before getting into the fancy stuff.

Ok I am hearing you all and taking your advice and applying it to my situation don't you worry. I have read a whole lot over the course of this day, about all the different freights and advantages and disadvantages. The advantages for working with big companies and small companies. How to go around looking for companies based on my values like whether or not home time is important or not, and what I should know about trucking and what it entails and to not listen to the cry babies who get on forums and try to scare people off from trucking just because they couldn't make it. A lot if not all of it came from Brett Aquila's articles and advice. So Brett THANKS! I know I am cut out for flat beds but I also want to know about Dump trailers? Is there money to be made there?

Thanks for the advice it really helps with my understanding of the trucking industry.

I have to agree with the others here. At the end of the day you can make a decent living hauling anything out there. Each have their own pros and cons. I started and am currently doing flatbed. I'm OK now but those 1st fw loads were nerve wrecking. Combined with inexperience of handling a big rig made for an interesting time. Anyway, do your research and keep an open mind. Get all your endorsements now and put them to use later.