Concerned About Physical Requirements.

Hello! I'm thinking of becoming a trucker, but I'm concerned that I might not be physically strong enough. I'm in decent shape and plan to exercise more anyway, but I don't have much upper body strength. Is that a big problem? Dry van doesn't require much lifting right?

Hello! I'm thinking of becoming a trucker, but I'm concerned that I might not be physically strong enough. I'm in decent shape and plan to exercise more anyway, but I don't have much upper body strength. Is that a big problem? Dry van doesn't require much lifting right?

Not really unless ur joining flatbed division. Flatbed req agility test coz tarps are heavy.. You should be fine.

Flatie's right, you won't have much of a problem in dry van. Can you lift a gallon of liquid? Then you'll be fine. The most intensive things you'll be doing on a regular basis in van are both "pulling" actions and don't require so much upper body strength as they do good grip and stance. These would be opening the hood of the truck and pulling back the tandem release lever. Opening the hood can be a chore, especially if you're short and/or your truck doesn't have a place on the bumper to stand and get leverage. You can get a small stepstool if it proves to be a pain.

It depends on which employer you go with. My employer made me go through a physical fitness test with resistance to see how much upper and lower body strength I have. I don't work out and I passed so you should be fine.. Good Luck!

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

Quick question. Why can you not handle tarps? The weight, size, folding, etc?

I ask because I am preparing for school at the same time trying to decide a division and I'm a shorty! I'm even shorter than you.... lol

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

If you don't mind what company are you in? I like flatbedding too but my journey with Mav failed due to limitation of class long story..

I'm interested to check the company and see.

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

Quick question. Why can you not handle tarps? The weight, size, folding, etc?

I ask because I am preparing for school at the same time trying to decide a division and I'm a shorty! I'm even shorter than you.... lol

Because tarp are very heavy i think 120lbs up! Theres no other way I can lift a tarp over my shoulder thats got more weight than my body.. I can lift it all the way to the table using body techniques but not all the way to shoulder and climb to the ladder!

It depends with the company though.. Some company will let just let you lift 60lbs not 120 etc.

I understand that. Now I am curious though since lil lightning can't handle them and she is a flatbedder how do they accommodate her. I am curious if the company accommodated her or if the company she is with is specifically preloaded and she just hooks and goes which I know some companies will do no touch freight. Also my max lift is about 70 right now so chances are I could not lift a tarp either lol

I'm 5'3" and maybe weigh less than 100 pounds. I'm a flatbedder. My only limitation is tarps. I physically can not handle them. I'm just not big enough. Flatbedding IS physically drmanding and requires strength (and clever use of leverage). But trucking in general? Many people with poor upper body strength are truck drivers and there are gadgets and tools designed to take strain off the driver. Keep looking in to it! Good luck!

Quick question. Why can you not handle tarps? The weight, size, folding, etc?

I ask because I am preparing for school at the same time trying to decide a division and I'm a shorty! I'm even shorter than you.... lol

Because tarp are very heavy i think 120lbs up! Theres no other way I can lift a tarp over my shoulder thats got more weight than my body.. I can lift it all the way to the table using body techniques but not all the way to shoulder and climb to the ladder!

It depends with the company though.. Some company will let just let you lift 60lbs not 120 etc.

Why on earth would anyone consider being a Flatbedder if you cannot handle it? Is it the extra money or what?! As far as I see, the money isn't worth getting hurt over! If you are lifting something so heavy that you cannot handle it, you don't belong doing it at all... No one is going to help you with it, and if it is windy and cold, you are going to struggle even more... Go with a Van and make it a bit easier on yourself.. Just my two cents!