Choosing The Right Type Of Trucking

Well I have found a couple companies that have caught my interest because from the research I have done have good home time options. One company paper transport hauls dry van and tmc is flatbed. So while I am still looking here is my question in the future ,far future I would like to own a truck actually a couple of trucks now I know thats not what tt talks about and that is understood. But my question is would running a flatbed or van give me a better understanding and better set up for the future? Also would one give me a more stable outlook for local as this is my short term goal and maybe after awhile become permanent if I find that everything else is not what I crack it up to be. Paper transport has already said I could Go local after 18 months I'm just wondering if that limits me?

Hi Matt I'm no trucker just a lurker but I would suggest hooking up with a company with multiple types of trucking and switching when possible from say dry van to flatbed and maybe even some reefer and you decide probably would take you a little over three year's but by then you would know what you need to know and have the experience needed to succeed at any and all

Thank you for the thought.I wonder if companies would frown upon switching within the company?

Call some companies and inquire about it.

Thank you for the thought.I wonder if companies would frown upon switching within the company?

At Swift, in my first year, I switched through otr , shuttle, and dedicated (all dry van operations) with no problems. I think of you stay on your dispatcher's good side, and talk with them before you jump, you'll be good.

I drive for Werner and we have flatbed and dry van. You can switch between them but you would need to talk to driver relations to see what their requirements are to do that. I don't know as I only wanted dry van. Good luck on whatever you choose.

Thanks I was looking at Werner a little also I see they have different home times available but they seem to be a bit tougher to find info on.

would running a flatbed or van give me a better understanding and better setup for the future?

There isn't any particular type of freight that's going to help you prepare better than the others for ownership in this business. You're going to want to start getting some business books on the industry and doing a bunch of research into what that entails.

And let me say this - do not make any decisions in the first year based on the assumption that you're going to own or lease your own truck someday. You may, you may not. But getting through that first year is one heck of a challenge for everyone so make sure you pick a company that suits you well for a minimum of one year and remain a company driver there for that time. Learn all you can and keep that safety record clean. Down the line if you want to try buying or leasing a truck then you'll have that solid foundation under your belt.