Location:
Raeford , NC
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
Young Gun On The Web
Been around trucking my whole life and finally made a change in my career and decided to come on board. Driving for 4 years now. Started driving dry van local in a day cab and changed over to flat bed for OTR trucking and love it and all the challenges. -Father -husband -veteran -trucker -27 y/o
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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I love a good challenge that's what I'm looking for I don't complain about loads and how theyou are or where they are going and I by all means never turn down any loads I will take any and everything that u can put on my deck I don't care and I will deliver safely and on time my Dm loves me
I have done a reasonable amount of heavy haul and oversize; not all on the same load, but up to 20 ft wide, 20 ft high, 160 ft long and 160,000 lbs. I have operated multi-axle, multi-trailer combinations, operated winch, bed and crane trucks in oilfield hauling, hauled all kinds of constuction equipment, cranes, buildings, etc. One thing that seems to separate those that both enjoy and excel at heavy haul is both the ability and desire to solve challenges/problems and not get flusteered when things go sideways. Not knocking anyone, but if your desire is to simply have your travel agent tell you where and when, then heavy haul probably wouldn't be to your liking. If you get really bothered when a plan doesn't work, then you should look to something else.
IMHO, it takes a person who not only takes pride in their driving, but in all aspects of the job... especially planning. You have to have a reasonably high skill level, attention to detail, patience, confidence, ability to "think outside the box", etc. In many respects the most visual part of the job--securement and driving--is the easiest... it's just mechanics. This becomes even more apparent as you get up into super-load territory. Don't get me wrong, securement and driving are absolutely critical, but there is a WHOLE LOT more to the job.
I would look at a company like Mammoet (and their competitors). They are a world-class, professional organization. Sure they do a lot of flashy stuff, but behind the scenes they're like an army of ants. Sometimes there are hundreds of "ordinary" loads that go into crane or super-load moves. The opportunity for advancement and personal and professional satisfaction is very good and you can make a lot of money if you stick with it. I don't have any experience with ATS, although I am aware of them.
Rig moving companies are another good way to get a wide variety of challenging experience in a high-pressure environment. Typically you start out as a swamper and move up from there.
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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I have ran local heavy haul before so my skills I do not question or my judgement safety is always number one also ats I cannot work with ATS they do not hire in NC where I reside it will have to be JGR or Bulldog hi way express which are both primary heavy haul company's that hire for my location JGR is more the one I'm leaning with and I haul oversize with the company I work for now so alot about permits and laws I already understand appreciate everything yall are bringing up tho it's good stuff to consider I'm just torn cause iam already an established driver with the company iam with I just don't wanna go to another and waste all the work I've put in but I'm boerd with the same freight every time
Bud nailed it regarding speed and it all varies from state to state really. Every permit load is different which does make it fun in its own right and it has its hassles too but you have to play by the rules. At ATS, even with your previous experience, you'll have to work your way up to that division and it takes 2-3 years on average. They have a Tier system and training that goes along with each one which is nice because they won't just throw you to the wolves. I just like knowing that I can advance as far as I want and have the extra opportunities available. You have to be flexible when it comes to heavy haul and very flexible on the blade crews because they essentially get assigned to a project which might last a couple weeks or it might last 6 months and home time won't be as consistent if that's something important to you.
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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none of those things bother me I'm old school stuck in a young man's body I guess u can say the laws were put into effect to keep u safe and others the only one that bothers me is 50 mph but it's in place for a reason
I'm a dry van driver at Swift, but here's my idea of what "heavy haul" might be like: Max speed 50mph or less, pulling into every weigh station in the US between New York and San Francisco, stopping early so you can get two parking spaces for your Wide Load. You can talk with your pilot driver, though.
If that doesn't excite you, stick with flatbed.
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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I'm in to trucking because when I was little boy my grandfather is a flatbed driver and Ive been riding since I was 4 years old till 17 so I guess u can say it got in my blood and stuck also I just hate sheet rock loads lumber and all that jazz I wanna haulet big stuff and new freight I guess u can say
Bored with freight? Try driving a bus. 😆 Just kidding. But seriously, what if you get bored with heavy hauling? See, I don't really care what I'm hauling. I drive dry van and have hauled John Deere tractors in there (a real tractor trailer), but...well, you can get bored with anything. I guess the real question is; what are you in this for? Then work toward that end.
Good luck!
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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I've been running flatbed for 2 years now from everything like building materials to steel coils cars tractors and everything else I'm getting boerd with the freight now and that's all my company hauls now I'm thinking about doing heavy haul to hopefully get to do new exciting things but that means I would have to switch company's to do so any advice or suggestions.
Posted: 7 years, 8 months ago
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Name three things you love about your company
Drive for boyd bros 3 years now 1.Family environment safety over everything. 2.home every weekend 3.great pay great miles great new equipment great lease purchase program
Posted: 7 years, 9 months ago
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I think you will be fine just don't be childish with ur learning curve and ask questions when u don't know and pay attention out there those longer loads will go to more experienced drivers they will not do that to u knowing u are inexperienced tarping is a task and if u don't find ur art to it will take u sum time at first which will eat up ur elog time but do not worry u will learn with time make sure u do not miss things and be safe but understand u are inexperienced and u will make mistakes but don't let it ruin a new career before it even starts and yes the best time to learnis in the winter because Ull see what the cold does to a tarp and ur body and yes u will lose weight I have lost 40lbs doing flatbed but eat healthy to stay away from truck stop food and u will have plenty of time for showers when u stop for tonight get u a rewards cards from each truck stop and swipe when u buy stuff from each place and when u fuel and u will earn free showers good luck to u hope to see u out there I live in nc as well and drive flatbed by the way best of luck to you tho.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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What are pros and cons of it cause I'm strongly considering doing it?
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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I'm already and otr flatbed driver I just wanted to brush up my knowledge thank you for ur responses
Posted: 7 years, 6 months ago
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What amenities do OTR trucks with large carriers have?
I'm an owner operator at Boyd they install directv and give u a small flat screen but I put my 32 inch on there instead for 15 a week payroll deduct they install for free we have apus on all trucks u buy your own inverter they install for free if your a company driver and some trucks have Sirius xm radio built in rand mcneilys