Flatbed Variety

Wow it seems that if I quit posting photos you all quit flatbedding..... LOL

Here is another load just before the snow....

The guy I was driving for really screwed up the contract. A truck was leased on to him and he did not pay him even after he had been paid by the shipper.

It's an long story but here goes....

The Mack I was driving was down for 1.5 weeks being fixed. I ran one load and only made it halfway back before the truck derated. After another 1.5 weeks I finally convinced the boss to rent the truck in the photos. I had driven it before. I ran 3 loads and was back to Cheyenne heading for the fourth when I was told by the shipper that we were getting no more loads because of his failure to pay that truck.

Now I am 700 miles from home and immediately out of work so I pulled in and filled the tanks and headed home before the fuel cards got shut off. I immediately called the shipper and talked to the man in charge and got permission to put the truck on direct with them. But, the guy that does the paperwork has been on vacation so I have yet to get ahold of him.

I get home and pull the truck into the shop and we immediately begin to drain the oil because it is due. While there with the owner of the truck I told him that if he ever decided to sell the truck I get first dibs. He called me the next day and I am now in the process of purchasing the truck. I am just waiting on the insurance (due tuesday) so I can activate the authority.

I know, I know, this site is not about becoming an owner operator. Just letting you know what is happening. I am now 6 weeks and only 3 loads to show for it. Luckily I have been putting things away for rainy days. By cutting my living expenses to the bone, I will have the truck paid for by the end of the 10 months left hauling on this contract. Kind of a unique situation where I have the freight before I have the truck.

Always better to have the freight before the truck than the other way around, Pat! I hope you make good money on the deal.

I haven't been posting pictures because I haven't been pulling any loads. The week of Thanksgiving I had emergency open heart surgery. Frankly, there are a lot of things that are more fun to do. The best way to avoid it? Watch your diet, stop smoking, get some exercise, and avoid being born into a family in which everyone dies from heart disease. The recovery is going well though.

For this particular surgery, the federal regs require at least three months of recovery and passing some specific physical tests before becoming medically eligible again, so it will be late February at the earliest before I can drive again. At this point, I'm not sure if I will go back to driving or do something else. I know a flatbedder who went through this and has been back at it for well over a year, so it's definitely do-able.

Some of you other flatbedders need to post some pics, please. I'm a little bored over here listening to my brother talking about hauling cattle feed every day.

Thanks Bud....

I forgot to add a photo of my co driver/navigator/PITA.... LOL Stretching after a long run....

No load until Monday but here's my new ride and company. I'll finally be able to add some fun and cool photos to the thread.

No load until Monday but here's my new ride and company. I'll finally be able to add some fun and cool photos to the thread.

My favorite Pete...and stacks. What could be better? Best of luck Robert!

Pat...haven't kept up with this. Best of luck with this. If anyone can make a go at the O/O game you can. Can't speak for the rest but I sure as he** am rooting for you!

I know, I know, this site is not about becoming an owner operator. Just letting you know what is happening. I am now 6 weeks and only 3 loads to show for it. Luckily I have been putting things away for rainy days. By cutting my living expenses to the bone, I will have the truck paid for by the end of the 10 months left hauling on this contract. Kind of a unique situation where I have the freight before I have the truck.

I think I would be willing to listen to what a guy that doesn't tarp over a guy forced to tarp had to say about being an owner.

Yes this site isn't about owner operators and I don't have any intentions of going down that road but I think your daily check lists of what you had to do to make it work for you would be, I want to say entertainment but at the same time I don't want to sound like an xxx.

I'm pretty sure you have everything well taken care of.

No load until Monday but here's my new ride and company. I'll finally be able to add some fun and cool photos to the thread.

That's awesome, Robert! Nice truck! I hear good things about ATS. Are you going to be doing heavy haul for them?

Eventually yes. They have a tiered system in which you work your way up in regards to loads along with additional training and testing. I was talking with a driver at the terminal today who has been with them going on 20 years. He told me to just be patient and in around 18 months, with hard work and experience, I could work my way up to the 13 axle trailers pulling up to 300,000 + loads.

One goal is to make a run up to Alaska. That would be a bucket list moment lol. Not during the winter though, I don't like the cold that much.