Flatbed Or Dry Van?
Topic 4423 | Page 1
I myself would almost say just go with van to start. Just until you get comfortable with the truck and all the ins and outs of the business. Then after a year or so if you still like it and feel ready for the physical challenge go for flat bed. Old school would be the gentleman to ask about flat bedding, but this is just my two cents. And welcome by the way!
Jimbo, welcome aboard!
I would probably agree with Heavy C as a general rule, but I started in flat-bed because I knew that was what I wanted to do. I enjoy the physical work, and it just breaks my day up with some physical and mental exertion, which is something I enjoy. If you like being outdoors, you will get to work in all kinds of weather doing flat-bed, and certain times of the year it can really be pleasant - and other times of the year it can be almost unbearable!
If your interested you can read through a little journal I put together of a trip with my daughter, where I tell about my work week as a flat-bedder. It just might give you the "itch" to want to give it a try.
Either one you go with is fine. You can get a good start in either. The easier route would be dry van or refer. I ain't gonna lie. I am bias towards dry van.
Not sure where you live but do you remember this past winter? Even a little bit? While it was not every where at - 53 degrees I know most of the Northern half of the country was below zero with 20 to 30 mph winds. Yes you still have to tarp up in that weather. Dry van is so much better. Less waiting times and a lot more drop and hook loads. We get to sit in our nice warm or cool trucks while flat bedders work their butts off and smell like old sweat socks by the end of the day. 
Might take some flack for that one..... Lol. But seriously no matter if your start in refer, flat bed or dry van after you add and subtract the pros and cons the pay is pretty much equal across the board.
All depends on what you want to get out of trucking. Trucking is so deserved that there is pretty much a company for everyone. What to get home more? There is a company for that. Want to have some physical exercise and smell like a monkey's hind end? There is a company for that. Want to run cost to coast and see more of the country? There is a company for that.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
GuyJax, you are on a roll tonight - you had me cracking up over this post! Especially liked this one:
Want to have some physical exercise and smell like a monkey's hind end? There is a company for that.
That's some great stuff to read as I close out my day - Hey what's that smell in my truck, if it gets any worse I may not be able to sleep in here.
He is in rare form, isn't he?
- Hey what's that smell in my truck, if it gets any worse I may not be able to sleep in here.
-Old School
...and you are the one thing that goes with you, wherever you go!
-mountain girl
...and you are the one thing that goes with you, wherever you go!Oh man is that ever true! I think there is a good many people who get into trucking thinking they are running away from their problems, only to find that no matter how hard they run they can't get away from one thing - we are the one thing that we can't escape.
Now, Mountain Girl - I know you were being comical and not necessarily philosophical, but I was feeling contemplative when I saw this and it made me both chuckle and think.
LOL. Ain't it da' truff. It's all good. I was kinda' referring to both or ...either. Double-entendre is one of my favorite parts of good ole healthy banter!
-mountain girl
He is in rare form, isn't he?
- Hey what's that smell in my truck, if it gets any worse I may not be able to sleep in here.
-Old School
...and you are the one thing that goes with you, wherever you go!
-mountain girl
I don't get to go with me when I leave. My handlers won't let I out of the room yet cause they miss placed my white football helmet. As if the windows are clean enough!
Your ".handlers." LOL. You are one talented guy to be able to drive with that straight jacket on, too.
-mountain girl
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Not in driving school yet..but most likely within the next few months.
I've been going back and forth between flatbed and dry van when it comes to type of carrier I'd go with. I've heard that the cons of flatbed are "wider open" delivery windows vs. set time at docks meaning less time sitting in one place not getting paid. And I know you work harder tarping and securing a load, but the pay for flatbed is also better according to what I read. (TMC percentage pay for example).
I'm 53 but in very good physical shape given my advanced age..lol.
So what are the thoughts out there on either/or as a good direction? Any comments appreciated. Even sarcastic ones.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.