Does Flatbed Pay That Much More Then Dry Van?

I've got about 5 years exp now driving truck, hauling grain, sugar beats outta fields for farmers, side dump for road construction (1st day solo 2nd day on job I tipped truck on its side what n experience lol) belly dumping gravel for county roads. Only took 2 years to decide non of that seasonal stuff was for me. Got into containers actually loved that but the vid did a number on that been pulling reffer n dry van for almost a year. Decided this is the year I'm gonna take a leap n get into bein a owner operator signing the papers on a 2022 Pete 579 Packard mx13 12spd auto (gonna be first experience with auto wondering how much I'm gonna miss shifting) I'm signed on to forgive for an outfit called superego 90% of the load but keep going back and forth with dry van or flatbed. Everything you read tells ya a lil bit diff story. I'm after the money. I wanna run, get to see the states.

I've got about 5 years exp now driving truck, hauling grain, sugar beats outta fields for farmers, side dump for road construction (1st day solo 2nd day on job I tipped truck on its side what n experience lol) belly dumping gravel for county roads. Only took 2 years to decide non of that seasonal stuff was for me. Got into containers actually loved that but the vid did a number on that been pulling reffer n dry van for almost a year. Decided this is the year I'm gonna take a leap n get into bein a owner operator signing the papers on a 2022 Pete 579 Packard mx13 12spd auto (gonna be first experience with auto wondering how much I'm gonna miss shifting) I'm signed on to forgive for an outfit called superego 90% of the load but keep going back and forth with dry van or flatbed. Everything you read tells ya a lil bit diff story. I'm after the money. I wanna run, get to see the states.

Wish you the best; welcome to our forum!

We have a few O/O's on here; PJ comes to mind. He pulls tanks with his EPIC PeterHood..... look up some of his posts! Don't really see a question that you are needing answered here, so . . . best wishes!

ps: Flatbed & Dry Van CAN pay seemingly similar. OS/OD/OW/HH .... otoh .. is where the specialized flatbed money is. It may take you a few years to get up in there. Look at posts by Robert B. (The Dragon), Bird One, and... there's a LOT!

Et Al: Flatbed Variety. *Thanks, Rob T.!*

~ Anne ~

Hi Jacob

Right now the market is red hot so everything is paying well. Flatbed does pay better than van, but it's more weather sensitive and more work.

I would caution you on a 90% of load. Typically it should be around 80/20 so if it's that high there's usually some kind of fee or something additional on each settlement.

Congrats on getting a truck and we'll see you out here.

So many questions to ask right now but I’ll limit it to a few. Why not stay in hopper bottoms? There are quite a few companies where you can haul a lot more than just grain and sugar beets and make a solid living. The other question is, have you been paying any attention to what’s going on with the economy? We’re quickly heading into a recession, inflation is going up and soon, federal interest rates will too. It’s gonna get ugly and not exactly the best time to be tying yourself to a truck. At 90%, I’m curious as to what you’re not getting in regards to fuel surcharge, detention pay and any other monies involved. Fuel surcharge is currently at 46% which is exceptional because you should have all your fuel paid and actually make a few extra bucks on each load.