Watch This Before Becoming a Flatbed Driver (Flatbed VS Van, Pay Comparison, Work Load)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- What are some of the things you need to know before becoming a flatbed driver? Is it worth switching over from van to flatbed? Will you earn more money being a flatbed driver? Will you get more mileage? What equipment do you need? What about the workload and difficulty? What are some skills you need to have before becoming a flatbed driver?
In this video, our flatbed driver Brian breaks down the things you should expect if you become a flatbed driver. And he gives you a guide on some tips and tricks for beginner flatbed drivers.
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Soundtrack:
Sun Dog - Tiger Gang
Pop Filter - Alternate Endings
Hale - Away With It
When I first started flatbed I weighed 240lbs and I'm 5'7", within 3 months I had lost 40lbs and in six months, I weighed in at 170lbs and kept the weight off for 12yrs now. Good luck newbies.
So you lost weight from doing flatbed? Ima current cdl grad looking to do flatbed myself, any advice.?
@@tonym5508 Bring a sweat rag.
@@tonym5508 no soda or sweets. Eat healthy not fatty.
@@tonym5508 be careful and don't let companies rob you, do your seniority and then be an owner operator.
@@jorgeposadas1192 Owner operator is a mistake. Why would you lie like that?
I been trucking 12 years now and its all been flatbedding and i started with 0 experience. One big thing i want to add is that your driving has to change as well. Pulling a flatbed your load can kill you or others on the road so you have to stay defensive 24/7 on the road expecting the unexpected. Anyways, i love my flatbed job and i cant drive anything else if i cant strap or chain it. Im a owner op from day 1 and i will stay 1! Be safe my fellow drivers! Take pride in your work!
May I ask how you were able to be O/O from day one?
@@roberthart4160 maybe he got an upfront loan and bought a truck or he has alot of money saved from before
Lmao! Yeah, good points! Nobody wants to sleep with their load! If you have to dynamite your brakes, decent chance that's exactly what you'll be doing!
Thank you!
When I started flatbedding hauling heavy machinery and special freight I never looked back.
60 years old been doing flat bed for 10 years keeps me going and in good shape . Run 400 - 500 miles a day average 4 stops a day secure load and rescue load at each drop. Hard work in all weather conditions . Enjoy doing it very much
I thought the world rewards you for effectiveness and not hard work
Envy and respect you people when on the road.
What's the pay?
Great to hear this I'm 50 and looking to start Trucking... Any tips would be helpful 💪🏽👍🏽
@@hnaqvi719 His efficiency is a consequence of hard work when observing the world of Flatbed trucking.
Been pulling a skateboard for 32 years, trucking for 48 years. I love what I do, tarping is easy even for an old dog like me. This is easy work but it is work.
Fuck yeah! Flat bed all the way. Im lead heavy haul as well so fuck yeah to low boys. If your over weight you should stay with a dry van hehehe. Fat fucks with your flip flops!
@@jking4020 you got it, I'm 14" wide on this trip. I love it.
You be safe out here
I have been pulling flatbed for 22 years now, I love it. Every load is different, makes you think when strapping and chaining.
Amen to that lol
Helps you stay alert and active cause you gotta watch your load. Beautiful!
And let’s not forget how awesome tarping is !!!
I find it funny how you were talking to caution us, but the more I watched the more excited I got that I'm gonna be doing flatbed driving.
If you're lazy, don't do flatbed. I like it because I like the extra exercise.
💯👍
Not lazy but at 62 I can say getting weaker.
@@michaelchason7863 oh I get it, at 53 the years are starting to catch up with me too.
The body really starts to get weaker at 55,especially if you smoked for years.
It's not the years.
It's the mileage.
lol *knucks
I ran flatbed and stepdeck right out of CDL school. Securing the load can take hours, and in the weather as he says - especially if you’re tarping. But there is a lot of pride and distinction in the job, and it’s the only trucking I really want to do long term.
Pride and distinction. And you know This straight out of trucking school.
Any tips for starting flatbed
I see that 13 flip flop wearing, foot on the dash, door swingers weren't big fans of your video... Enuf said. This was the most informative video I have seen on the realities of flatbed driving. You'll also notice that skateboarders spend less time on the cb and ya don't hear us screaming/cussing other drivers out like a bunch of little girls. We leave that to the drivers who need to feel like they're burnt out from swinging doors and setting tandems. Yep, I said it. Here's a tip to add to his great video...different types of carriers/loads pay differently - If flat bed company or O/O drivers really wanna take it up a notch and don't mind even harder work than what they'll experience with hauling slinky's, lumber, pipe, tractors, etc., find a glass company and learn how to set up, secure, breakdown and drive (You have to be very aware that you can't just drive, turn, pass, back, etc like you got a load of lumber...it's a whole different monster). The turnover rate in glass is very high, but the pay is the highest of all flat bed trucking, other than oversize. If you need to get in shape or stay in shape, glass is your ticket. Some companies have crews hired to do everything and the driver just drops and hooks... I don't recommend that. The bigger money is in doing the set up, drive and breakdown. There are only about 1/2 dozen glass companies in USA and Canada. You'll go through 2 to 3 weeks of training just on set up, securing, tarping and breaking down the load, than you'll be sent out with a trainer for a few weeks on the road... Yes it's that serious. But you won't find better pay in flatbed. A lot of miles too... Not uncommon to get 3000+ miles OTR all 48 and Canada in a week on top of the manual labor he mentioned in the video. And when a glass load isn't avail, you'll be assigned lumber, pipe, etc... So you'll get to experience it all which will look good on your "resume." There's a comaraderie amongst flat bedders that door swingers would never understand...If you wanna know what being a truck driver is all about vs holding a wheel, then Team Flatbed is for you. Lastly, go to Tractor supply and get some rust covered overalls because you'll be working with chains a lot and rust stains on your jogging pants looks kinda tacky. And save your flip flops for the shower boys n girls 🤪
Thank you!
Flatbed don't keep in shape work out and exercising keep you in shape wave better than doing flatbed I did flatbed for a few years nothing exciting about it I do Refrigerator now and I'm a O/O make Damn good $ and work out and exercise and my truck with my weights keep trucking and be safe..
That's just the best comment ever. I just started flatbed and I do love it! I hated sitting around at warehouses burning my time up.
Been pulling flatbed for 4 year's now ...and yes when you start is hard but you get the hang of it!!
I’m learning about dispatching/brokering after retiring from nursing. I’ve been researching the flat bed industry. Your video was the first to watch. I honestly had no idea what you guys were going through out there. I am officially setting my nursing pride aside, and i give you fellas major props for keeping this country moving. Thank you so much for all you’re doing out there. You are appreciated!!!!
At 85 years this coming June, been around big trucks for 66 years. Hauled gas and light oils and lumber the first 7 years. Could not run interstate in them days until 25 years of age , and I got on running for International Transport out Rochester mn . Best co in the business, in 1964 we ran double, real White freightliners 335 Cummins 4x4 , flat bedding. I learn something every day, and nearly NO appointments!!!
Last Thursday I loaded boat docks in mcgregor mn for Sicamous BC. Probably get lumber back in a conastoga tr.
More physical work is the main reason why I’m switching from dry van to Flatbed. Thanks for the info
Very good information. I am a flatbed driver and yes, we deal with all of the things you mentioned. I will say that despite all of the hard work and very interesting places we have to pick up and deliver to, I love it. For me, it is very rewarding because the physical work keeps me in good health, the customers are generally more friendly, and I do get to haul some very interesting products. One thing that you didn't mention that people needs to think about before switching to flatbed is that flatbeds are targets for DOT. The reason we are targets is that they see our freight and they can tell before they even pull you over if you have the freight secured properly or if there is a problem with your freight.
Agree 100% I'm a driver/rigger and I love what I do. From landoll trailer, to double drop, step deck, or regular flat. Tarp, chain, strap. Getter done 💪🏽
Been flatbed for a good while video very good but my least fav is when it’s 20 below and tarps are froze makes for a wonderful day keep on trucking the dark side
Pretty good advice overall, only one thing ya kinda missed and that is someone opening this video is doing it because they are new to flatbedding so I've gotta say that you really should be prepared as far as your load securement equipment i/e quantities of load weight ratings and things of that sort are covered as per DOT regs. I was stopped by an officer that just drove next to me and counted the straps on my load. I had all the straps on it that were in my truck but that wasn't sufficient but he gave me a break and followed me to a lil truckstop to buy and install the correct amount on the load. Could have turned out a lot different if he hadn't been a nice guy!
Thanks for this video. My flatbed experience starts on Tuesday, pretty excited Life is an adventure n safe travels everyone
How is it going so far?
Also for the van drivers don't forget to bring steel toed boots or some type of boat they don't allow flip-flops in most of the steel warehouses you go to
Those ladies who wear flip flops would cry.
I'm about to be put with a trainer. How'd it go for you?
wow, Thank you very much！it's really useful for a newbie who wanna jump into this field. I just gained the commercial driver license last week. I was fencing on dry van and flat deck for my further job a while. fortunately, a well-known flat deck trucking company just hired me. They would offer me a complete training program for one month. So I am a flat deck driver now. It's my honor to hit on road with these seniors in this industry. drive safe, god speed！
Where do U work how is it
You are nothing but the VERY BEST at giving information concerning flatbed. Thank you so much and bless you always. You gave sooooo much information in just few minutes! WOW!
He is correct on all topics, but flatbed was not physically challenging for me because I was a carpenter / concrete finisher for 20 years before hand, if you were a couch potato, then flatbed will be a lot of work for you....
Carpenters dont.have frozen 150 # tarps , 13.6 high.with 40 mph wind !
@@caclark7600 Lol. I wish carpenters had it that easy. Try hanging 100 lbs sheets of denseglass in high winds while hanging off the edge of a highrise building. All while wearing 50 lbs. tool belt plus a fall arrest harness. All day 8-12 hours non stop, not just for an hour then drive off. Flatbedding is tough, i know that. But If you've been doing industrial construction for 20+ years, flatbedding is kind of light in comparison.
So right.I didn't think it was hard. DID IT 20 YRS.Tarp pay was cheap,and never no detention pay,or layover.Tanker pays all that
@@imyourhuckleberry4547 yeah I’m a 20yr righand/formwork carpenter. I’m getting into trucking as I make the Downslide to retirement. I think they’ve gone a little overboard on the definition and emphasis of the “work” in trucking, it’s pretty easy stuff.
And the forklift drivers says: and the young man jumps off the bed and I asked: how old are you? He said 41, I said: I'm 51, guy couldn't beleive it.
You forgot to mention throwing straps on windy days in the cold or dealing with frozen tarps, ice on the trailer deck etc. Etc
Urgh I hate wind... gives me the shiz throw the strap and it lands right along side you cause the wind got it half way over... 😂
Yes sir indeed
Dunnage froze to the trailer, getting popped by a bungee, getting suplexed by a 120lb tarp on a windy day.
Ted that was the best lol I've had n a while great information I've been there before
Good video and good advice I’ve been a flatbedder for 3 yrs now Out of Montana and proper clothing is a must!! Keep the videos coming and thank you
This was a very informative video and you were very detailed. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
After 15 years of dry vans and reefer, I switched to flatbed with a curtainside. Mostly I did aluminum coils out of Kingston going to Laredo. Loved it. Another thing to consider is the amount of thinking and figuring involved - placement of load, how many straps, blocking... As to the pay, at the time van drivers were making roughly 45 cpm. I was paid 70 cpm AND had a dedicated trailer.
This was awesome I'm a flatbed driver owner operator/own authority love what I do weather can be a challenge but worth it great video brother
Any advice on how to get started into o/operator with authority?!
@@aaronanderson3027 money
@@rubenjr.6099 I've got money. what next?
I run flatbed for a steel company now after working as an EMT on an ambulance for 10 years. I love it, I don't dread coming into work, and I enjoy the challenge.
Me too! But I run for myself.
Super advice brother well said I've been a flatbed driver for 5 yrs now can't see myself doing anything else love what I do as a owner operator with own authority is great new experiences everyday best job ever had will do this until I can't drive anymore
I’m a new flatbed owner op can you link me w any work or brokers? Thanks
I’m in school now never been so motivated 💪🏽💪🏽
Have you graduated yet? Fill us in!
@jarheadStockton not yet in September I am
Well.... in Sept. I am gonna check in on ya!!! I hope to hear you aced it all and are running up and down the highways!!!!!
I just got my ACZ on the 9th of June
@@Atwater27Fan Im about to be apart of the flatbed division for Swift. Feeling a bit nervous
I'm ready 💪🏾
Thanks for sharing your views about the switch from van to open deck. I'm not a youngster...65... been pulling open deck, oversize and heavy for about 4 years and love it. As you said, being outside, being uncomfortable and getting dirty are all part of the deal. Either you enjoy the challenges and demands of this kind of trucking or you get out. I have pulled 250,000 lbs and over 200 feet long in cities in crazy traffic or as you stated, in the middle of nowhere. It's been a blast, has kept me sharp and frankly keep me fit. Wouldn't got back to a van unless forced to. For those of you not used to working hard and being uncomfortable this isn't the game for you. If you are the type that can deal with the work, the challenges and the weather, check out flatbed/open deck. It is worth it! Thanks again for the video...nice job
Age 66, retired nurse, no driving experience, and about to begin with Maverick. Your comment is a source of encouragement. Thanks.
really liked you vid. driving flatbed for 1.5 yrs now right out of driving school. self taught securement as you have noted, mostly on you tube lol. cannot overstate the physical aspect. 60 yr old retired army colonel in decent shape, but wow, the heat and cold can get the best of you, and geez, how many times can a guy climb up and jump off the trailer when tarping, strapping and bunge'ing? one of my buddies drives a powder train and bitches how hard it is getting in and out of his cab to throw a lever and dump. he'd die on an easy flatbed load lol
I swear I love you guys I'm glad I found this channel
Oh ya thanks man, this’s what i a call real info. Just got my AZ and im gathering this kind of priceless informations. Tnx a million.
Good run down of what to expect. I think the point of having to figure out how to load something you've never seen or done is VERY important. Many larger shippers load the same product day in day out and know how to load it, it's as you said the shipper that's shipping a pice of specialized equipment or some odd ball thing, he has no idea and you need to figure it out, where to place it how to secure it safelyand legally and probably tarp it. Also those big tarps say 8' drop weigh 90ish plus pounds you better be able to lift that over your head a few times because your going to be man handling those frequently. Flat bed work requires a lot more skills than a van plus the physical strength and stamina as you said.
Thanks for this video. Been a few year since I was a local flat bedder(moffitloader) attached. Excited to fly out to IL tomorrow to start my OTR flatbed Conestoga. My goal is to be running my own authority in acouple years. 😎
"when it's 40* and that's hot"
Me: (forgetting he's Canadian) it doesn't get hot till 105..
40° C is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yeah we still beat ya down here in aus... 40 phh iv emptied containers in that heat... then had to pull all the nails an such out the box... 👌
Anything over 70°F is hot to me, but I still get it done in 105°
I was so curious about that part
Thanks, Brian. Time well spent watching your presentation. While your message gives me some pause, I'm joining Maverick in a couple weeks at age 66. Retired from nursing, and I'm going to give flatbed a go. Hope you are well. All the best!
Flatbedding is fine if you can hop on/off trailer no problem go for it, most important thing is to have the proper tools for strapping, chaining, and tarping the load, you don't want to tarp incorrectly and be superman going down the road.
When I got out of CDL school I went straight to work for a flatbed outfit. I loved it and now I haul cars
great content, keep up the great job!
Only bad part about flatbed is I should of done it right out of high school. Everything before trucking seems like I wasted my time.
Sometimes you can't be hired cause of age and insurance companies not willing to cover you
So it depends on who's willing to risk it
Thank you!
@@ArtyTheBasedGod lumber yard’s will hire you with those non cdl trucks. I almost got a job there, but went into forklift until I was old enough to get a cdl. I’ve only did flatbed and end dumps. Im actually going back to flatbed on august 20th…
Really good video man... Thanks for your advice & wisdom....
In my area, flatbed loads outnumber van loads 10 to 1. Very informative video. Thanks.
Really good video lol i just switch from a refer to flat deck starting this Monday , needed some action.
so i cant wait to enjoy all that hard work that come with a flat deck job,this is for me the best way to stay in shape 😁😁
Great advice! Thanks for sharing!
I started out flat bedding with a super B and step deck. now I run a 9 wide lowbed. Very physical work. The attention to one’s gear is so important. I broke down last winter outside Whitehorse and it was -36C.
Wow, out in No Mans land. Been thru there twice. It's a lonely place. Bess you for your efforts. Motor gently.
Where is Whitehorse
@@shawntaehenderson8129 northern Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you. God sent. Was debating. I'm 62 with 5 years experience. I can't hardly breathe in the cold after a short period. Wanted to get the exercise and the extra money but I now see I need to stick with the van .
I like flatbed because of all the stuff you described. The song "I'm a sucker for pain" comes to mind. It can be brutal and there are no easy days, and that's what I like about it. If your coming from van get ready to do a little work.
As a flatbed driver you don’t load at night.
Most of the time you load and head to the truck stop in time to get a parking space.
I love flatbed.
The people you deal with are more friendly. When you get to the receiver you usually don’t wait to get unloaded. The physical part is good exercise.
I’d rather get up early and start driving in the dark before the roads get full.
You didn’t say much about the plus side. I like having more control of my schedule and being able to see the road behind my truck better.
When I get unloaded it’s usually out in the middle of a parking lot or a construction site or a railroad yard.
I get to tell them how to load me. I pull a 48’ split axle so they can load me 40k on the rear of my trailer.
I love it. I love being outdoors.
I will go for next week thanks 🙏
Great content 👍🏾
Thank You so much. Great info
Good video, very informative. I pull a flatbed often, whether a flat, step, drop, or a low boy. Never had to tarp. Would hate to have to learn it. I don't have to worry about any weather damage. I like the extra involvment of the open trailers. You have to think and figure out how to make it ride well. It can be heavy. If the trailer and truck are squatting down under the load, I know I have to watch everything even closer. Some of our trailers are wider than 8.5 ft. Watch that too.
Another thing about gloves is protection from stuff other than outside temperature. Grabbing something sharp, oily, hot, etc.... is hard on the hands. If you hurt your hands it's even harder to work, your grip might slip, then they're hurt even more. Gloves are cheaper than hurt hands.
love this guy, great tips
This is so informative. Thank you so much 🙏🏼
Miss doing flatbed. Only thing I liked about tarping was at the end of the day I always got the best sleep that night. Working on getting my truck setup for flatbed and should be back at it in a few weeks
Been a roll back tow trucker for about 4 years. I go to train for CR England next month. Hoping this will be a smooth transition
You forgot tarps on a windy day, frozen straps, and the mud holes that we go into.
I love this guy too!!
Thank you for your great advice,knowledge, experience n insight. Much appreciated I’m getting ready to start flatbed driving with system Transport next week. I’m 59 & have never tried it.
I wanna do flatbed for these reasons, cause you get to drive and stay active and in descent shape. Loading, climbing, strapping and tarping in the 100 degree heat or the 20 degree cold or way lower as you described makes me appreciate that a/c and heater in that truck. I grew up working dump trucks, flatbeds, and equipment and think I'd love the combo multitasking of flatbed as opposed to sitting in a seat all day.
Dont refeers sit for hours with out getting paid and do several multiple stops for on load. Tarping sounds better. Although the extremely cold weather needs some special adaptation and chips to munch on.
Amazing video thanks for the heads up 👍👍👍
it’s helping thanks for your time
Thank you for the video. It was very informative.
Ive pulled "skatboards" & drop decks for many many many a year with alot of experiance under my belt . Its alot of hard work, can be dangerous at times, a very big responsibility, & can be very stressfull to boot, but because i done it for so long, to me it was just 2nd nature & never thought nothing of it. Ive pulled reefer & vans as well, but it was cake work compaired to flatbedding. Ive also done dump trucking, belly dumping (which i really loved), water & fuel tanking! Truck safe to all my fellow truckers & "Keep On Trucking!"
Very good advice! Thank you very much for such an informative video!
Thank you for watching!
Great Vid brother. Thank you.
Thank for this video been wanting to get into flatbed
Thank you Brian for your advise
Just got my A license last Friday. This video helped me a lot. I may be a flatbed driver. Most of that sounded like the way I am when I haul things for myself. Thanks for the great video. I look forward to more from ET Transport.
Man I’m finna get mines next week I passed my written already!! I’m excited
@@WOww-uy5qs Awesome bro! Drive safe out there!
Good info. Thank you.
You always have great advice buddy
Very very informative. Definitely appreciate with great thanks
To add to the "calling a friend to ask how to tie down something" moment:
Some companies (or fleet owners) have a database with pictures and/or even videos of how to secure things.
With those companies, even new drivers are just one call away from detailed instructions on securement of any type of cargo that company had delivered, ever.
That is good to know
Im watching this video to prepare my self to start a new chapter in my life i did dry van for 5 years and Monday i will start flat bed for the first time i was a litter skeptical about how to securing the loads but i been watching videos and preparing my self for the challenge trucking 4 life i love my job ❤
Good video.
Great info.
GOOD SYNOPSIS! I just hope that they REALLY!!!! REALLY!!!! Listen to what you've explained (VERY CONCISELY) - INTENTLY!!!!. You nailed it driver. 👍👍
Thank you for the video... very helpful 👌
Blessed to be from Florida, 40 degrees it’s cold for us lol, out here gets to 80 degrees and higher sometimes, Florida weather prepares you for the future it’s crazy it could be 30 degrees today and tomorrow it’s raining goes to 80 degrees at night it’s crazy! Good video thanks!
I like UR content.I feel like you just straight up tell it the way it is.🚚
Nothing but Respect
great info
Thank you. I had no idea.
Thank you 🙏 for the information
Did you just call me lazy as a dry box hauler? Lol.
Just kidding, but I honestly don't think flatbedders get paid enough in the company driver position.
Pay them 1.80 frfr. 20cents more ? 800 billion dollars out there and that’s it
Nope
Thank you for the great videos, fantastic content.
Thanks for watching!
I just learned a lot. Thank you
You are welcome!
Great video!!!
Awesome Video!!
great learning experience !
I always check out other flatbedders loads n pay attention to how they tarp n secure different loads.
I do the same thing !!!
New to your channel,excellent video!!👍
When you go from doing hard manual labor to driving a truck, doesn't matter what you drive. Physically, all of its easy.
Thanks for that info
Wow, what a great info. from this session, thank you.
I fully admire whoever can handle this type of work as his/her career for 20 to 25 years 🤔 ?
Weird loads like Pipe, Slippery steel, Buoy ball's, Other things that are hard to secure. You will need to learn how to deal with these. Physics lessons.
Good content, nice audio and video.
I'm a flatbed rookie/ apprentice. A lot of experienced drivers are very willing to share their knowledge. It's a lot more of a community or common respect among flatbedders that I wasn't expecting. I could be wrong. I'm still in my first year.
There’s a lot of us u can just ask questions and we answer or help u, Welcome to the flatbed gang
@@outlawmafia6645 thanks outlaw. If I cross your path you'll know when I say hi! Idk wtf I'm supposed to do here. Are you open to questions? I've gotten quite use to saying that. In other things, I'm starting to get a routine. My biggest concern is thinking I know what I'm doing instead of listening to someone with experience.
@@michaelboyle9512 I’m always open to questions, I still ask questions to old school guys, I don’t know everything but Ik a lot.
You're showing trucks from companies I've worked for.
And yes everything he has said is true.