Having Trouble Deciding What To Haul
Topic 5270 | Page 2
I would recommend you to do one step at a time.
Get your CDL , complete your training, get experience
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Last winter was a killer! There was more than a few times I questioned my sanity.
All I was doing is blocking off the radiator so the wind would not cool the truck down to much. I spent 10 minutes out side and barely made it back inside my truck. Could only bang on the door to get my brother to open the door. They say this winter will be worse than the last. If that is true God help the crazy people driving flat beds. It's gonna suck for yall.
Refer..I hope you are a sound sleeper..some of those refers are loud and annoying and can cost you extra money that you may not want to spend.
Could someone please explain the "cost you extra money" part?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Last winter was a killer! There was more than a few times I questioned my sanity.
All I was doing is blocking off the radiator so the wind would not cool the truck down to much. I spent 10 minutes out side and barely made it back inside my truck. Could only bang on the door to get my brother to open the door. They say this winter will be worse than the last. If that is true God help the crazy people driving flat beds. It's gonna suck for yall.
Ok. the last sentence brings me to a subject that has been bothering me....when to start!! Due to circumstances I cannot start trucking till after October. That would mean (probably) 4-6 weeks of training, then go solo probably when deep winter kicks in. Upon request, would a company let a rookie team drive to get winter driving experience (even after initial training)? The thought of being alone as a rookie during deep winter isn't very appealing to me. Thoughts????
Flatbedding is awesome, I delivered steel coils in Houston TX a few days ago. It was pouring down rain and had to take my chains off without removing my tarps waiting for my turn to back into the building to get unloaded. Got a free shower with my clothes on! 
You can tell that Chris is a real flat-bedder because he thinks getting a free shower with your clothes on while working is a positive thing!
I love that flat-bed attitude Chris!
Flatbedding is awesome, I delivered steel coils in Houston TX a few days ago. It was pouring down rain and had to take my chains off without removing my tarps waiting for my turn to back into the building to get unloaded. Got a free shower with my clothes on!
The Marine in me loves to hear that attitude. It's liquid sunshine!
If you want to go flatbed, then do it. As Old School said, companies hire and train new people with no prior driving experience, all of the time. I had some part time dry van experience, but not really OTR , per se. That being said, that first 3-6 months is a killer on the ego and confidence. After that, it all gets better. As for the weather, it is what it is. I don't sweat, I just melt and have to really concentrate on hydration. The brutal cold of last winter (my first in flatbed) wasn't too bad except for my fingers on occasion. Either way, you can't hesitate to use your truck to cool off or warm up when under extreme conditions. Flatbed requires you adapt to the situation - probably more so than other areas.
Good luck and have fun, whatever route you go!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Choosing A Trucking Company Company Sponsored CDL Training Dealing With The Weather Dry van Flatbed Refrigerated Truck Driver Training
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Last winter was a killer! There was more than a few times I questioned my sanity.