Flatbed Variety

So tell me Pat, is it exciting to have that kind of freedom, to choose your loads?

Would you recommend, having 2 years of experience before going out and being a owner operator?

You know, I cannot put a time frame for when someone is ready, or if they ever will be. My situation is kind of unique in that I have a contract for a years worth of work before I got the truck.

Everyone has a unique situation all their own. Personally I have 5 years now and as you can see from the photos, more variety of loads than most open deck drivers will ever see let alone haul. I have been 15 feet wide or 16 feet tall or 150 feet long or grossed 210k pounds depending on the load.

I could not in good conscience recommend that anyone do what I am doing or have done. I had the least amount of training of anyone on this site. By that I mean no securement training, five trips across Montana and here are the keys.

Probably doing things the hard way but if someone says you can't do something, stand back and watch.

Luck has some to do with it too. Being in the right place at the right time. My last employer is the one that opened this door for me because he screwed up. I then automatically stuck my foot in the door before it closed.

I don't look to take advantage of the mistakes of others but when your mistake puts me out of work I will throw you out with the bath water.

If I did not have the contract I would have never entertained the purchase of this truck.

Ok now I have a lot better understanding of time and ready or not. I would love to be able to haul bridge beams and a lot of things that you hauled on like those low boys and double decks and what not. I have always wanted to haul like bull dozers, Dump trucks, back hoes, excavators, cranes and all that neat stuff. You get to see a lot of neat things. Even belly dumps would be cool. I just don't know what company or companies do that kind of work. I want to get in with TMC but the recruiter that I keep talking to keeps not calling me back. I called him back earlier tonight and still haven't got a call back yet lol. I will be 23 this month so hopefully that will help me to get in as well as 2.7 and 2.0 years of NO ticket and NO accident. Absolutely none, and I intend to keep it that way. I have dreamed of doing things like you have, ever since I was 10 years old and there is no way I am giving up on it now. I am very close to getting my CDL!

First thing is to get some flatbed experience under your belt. As you drive around write down the names of companies you see doing what you want to do. Once you have your first year in it will be easier to move.

ATS is one company that has flatbeds, lowboys and hauls wind Mill blades.

Awesome thanks! I will make sure to do just that!

Ran into the second issue with the truck today. The air governor took a dump on I 25 in Wyoming at -9°. Could not build more than 30 pounds. Fiddled with it and got it to build air so I beat feet for Douglas. Bought the part and installed it in the parking lot. Good thing it had warmed up to -1°. Took about 20 minutes once I had the part but an hour on the shoulder.

First thing is to get some flatbed experience under your belt. As you drive around write down the names of companies you see doing what you want to do. Once you have your first year in it will be easier to move.

ATS is one company that has flatbeds, lowboys and hauls wind Mill blades.

I'm officially not a flatbed guy... but I feel like it with this load.

Yesterday I was dispatched to pick up a bunch of bathroom fixtures, no big deal. My DM is out sick for the last couple days so... I show up to the "warehouse" to deliver but find a construction site instead...

Do I get any flatbed experience points?

So after reading this incredibly long forum which is still going im still thinking bout heading to western express to run flatbed. Good or bad thing? Lol

So after reading this incredibly long forum which is still going im still thinking bout heading to western express to run flatbed. Good or bad thing? Lol

Hit the search bar and Old School Western Express.. read some of his posts and see if he thought it was a bad thing... From all accounts that I've read from him I think you'll be just fine.

Already dpne my research talkedntp several drivers and scoured the internet and talked to two different recruiters. But gotta get some affairs in order and off to nashville i go closer to where im from and out of pueblo colorado.

Already dpne my research talkedntp several drivers and scoured the internet and talked to two different recruiters. But gotta get some affairs in order and off to nashville i go closer to where im from and out of pueblo colorado.

Have you spoke with Maverick? They aren't to far from that area Arkansas I believe just off I40... pass them all the time.. Although location isn't really a big deal. I'm from VA and the company I drive for is outta TN.

I've thought about flatbedding and for me I would probably go with Maverick although I'm not sure who I was I hearing about for training to haul boats... that sounded kinda cool to. But they have top notch securement training. CT is on TT and works for them he would be a great person to ask if you were interested.