Van of Flat Bed

[KusKus78]

I am currently going with Us Xpress in Oct 08 and now having second thoughts. I was not so big on straping or tarping, by going with TMC. Is tarping and staping that big of a deal vs. van.

Please let me know your views.

Thanks, KusKus

[JLKKLJ777]

Flatbedding is a labor intensive sector of trucking. You will have to secure EVERY load with chains or straps possibly brace and level uneven freight with blocks and wedges of wood. Then there is putting up side kits and tarping in all the elements.

Flatbed drivers tend to be more physically active and hence are in better shape in general, but they also have a higher probability of being injured on the job due to slips, falls, pulled muscles, straps, bungees, chains, and cheater bars that may break and slash the driver causing everything from minor cuts to broken bones. Not to mention the "magic carpet ride" (when a driver is attempting to tarp a load in heavy winds and gets knocked off the load).

Flatbed drivers do tend to make slightly more due to the accessorial pay but they do work for it. Another benefit is never having a "driver unload." The stuff shipped on flatbeds is normally too heavy to be handled by hand and so fork lifts or cranes will be used. Another major plus is NO GROCERY WAREHOUSES.

Now in the case of van drivers they usually will hire a lumper service to load or unload a trailer (in the event of a driver unload or load facility). The only securement usually required will be some load locks or straps after the trailer is loaded. Other than that the only thing a van driver will normally do is open and close the doors. The rest of his time will be spent driving or waiting for his appointment time at a customer. Dry vans do go to grocery warehouses as well but not nearly as much as reefer drivers will.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

In addition to JLKKLJ777:

Flatbed drivers (or the lovable term Skateboarders) get to climb to secure their loads as well with such materials like Wood, Construction Equipment, and other wonderful pulls and a lot of Drivers have Ladders for such adventures. Ladders take the thrill away yet ADD SAFETY.
AS stated above, Tarping in windy conditions of wrapping/unwrapping loads is all the more fun and enjoyable and one need be akin to a Hiker or Explorer in seeking such experiences for one will definitively gain knowledges WE in the Dry Van community have not.
Curtain Side Trailers are a wee bit better than a standard Flatbed but then this is MY opinion.
Covered Wagons are simply Flatbeds with Aluminum and Wood "sides" with Aluminum Arced Arms for the Tarp to rest upon. One still needs to secure the load before covering because the sides are really for looks only.
Flatbeds have hauled Haz/Mat loads.

Dry Vans haul Haz/Mat, Dry/Bulk Food, wal-mart crud, other D. C. stuff, Driver assist load/unload as well as D-n-H.

I've pulled Flatbeds and Covered Wagons and regularly Dry Vans and I PREFER Dry Vans.
I have pulled reefers and these are not for me.

HAVE FUN, BE WELL, BE SAFE!!

[truckdriver59923]

as a retired trucker , I spent many years fighting tarps in all types of weather, 60mph wind , snow, rain , it didn't matter what the weather , the load had to be tarped!
Be smart drive a dry van or refer. load , close the doors and go!!!

[1-800-big truck]

Flat bed isn't all that bad, just takes some (lots ) of practice and a routine. Not all loads need tarped, haven't pulled mine now for 3 weeks, and am loaded for tomorrow without one either ,it all dependes on the comodity.When I 1st started ,I hated it ,now it's not all that bad , pick up at one spot, deliver at 1 spot,most times,. There are days though that are just like the above posts. The odd ball specialty loads take a lot longer trying to figure out where to put everything, how to secure it all, and then tarp ,but with a lot of cursing under your breath, you get the job done and say I done it and it's even better when you arrive with no rips in your tarps, you feel that youv'e done a good job. What I guess I'm also saying is that every driver will have there likes and dislikes ect. I like flatbedding, you just have to find yours. good luck and sake driving

[onionbuster]

Originally Posted by 1-800-big truck

Flat bed isn't all that bad, just takes some (lots ) of practice and a routine. Not all loads need tarped, haven't pulled mine now for 3 weeks, and am loaded for tomorrow without one either ,it all dependes on the comodity.When I 1st started ,I hated it ,now it's not all that bad , pick up at one spot, deliver at 1 spot,most times,. There are days though that are just like the above posts. The odd ball specialty loads take a lot longer trying to figure out where to put everything, how to secure it all, and then tarp ,but with a lot of cursing under your breath, you get the job done and say I done it and it's even better when you arrive with no rips in your tarps, you feel that youv'e done a good job. What I guess I'm also saying is that every driver will have there likes and dislikes ect. I like flatbedding, you just have to find yours. good luck and sake driving

That right driver flatbedding is just in somebody's blood. I hate bumping docks every time I load or unload, I haven't bumped a dock in over twelve years. (I lied I worked for a grocery outlet for a week about two years ago). When I get done with a load that is a challenge I can be proud of it. It's not just the same old thing every day.