Looking For Honest Opinions

Of here goes it. I'll be finishing up school the first week of May. I've done my research and truly want to drive flatbed. I have my concerns and I'll lay them out to you. I am a big guy about 330 pounds. With that said I'm not sloppy im built like a nfl lineman. I was a police officer for about 15 years and was always this size. I also have a fear of heights. I concerned that flatbed and I may not be a match made in heaven. I like the fact that it will force me to get off of me butt and do some physical labor getting me the exercise I truly could use. However I'm worried that with my size I may actually be a little too out of shape and too big for this position. With this in mind please know that I have 5 racers of land and maintain it on my own I do my share of physical labor but with being a big guy who mind you is fairly agile I'm doubting myself. So With all of that said I am asking.g you to be brutally honest with your thought of my ability from what I've told you.

My honest answer? Take a look at the average trucker, they're usually big guys. 300lb is the norm. I don't think you'll have a problem. Sure, it might be a disadvantage at times but it shouldn't prevent you from getting the job done.

I've never seen or heard of a trucker climbing on top of his freight so don't think you'll have to climb mountains every load.

If you can pass that physical you'll be fine. But remember, just because you're choosing the more physical side of tricking doesn't mean you shouldn't follow through with a clean diet.

You'll be just fine, go after it I say!

Ok so here it is, the brutal truth.

You can do anything you set your mind to. I've seen some pretty big guys doing flatbed and one thing I've seem is that they spend a few extra bucks getting a ladder rated for their weight. As to your fear of heights, you'll have to learn to get past that, at most you're talking around 15' but again, I know you can handle it.

As far as potential companies go, as long as you can fulfill their requirements in orientation and training they're going to give you a shot and if the weight is the only issue, drive dry van for a year. Take that time to get yourself in the shape you want to be and then attack the situation.

Again, the only thing stopping you is you.

Andre, just to add to what's been said, I recommend you look into a company that does more than just flatbed. That'll give you a Plan B and won't force you to switch companies if it doesn't work out.

Don't worry about it. I've seen guys that looked elderly tarping right beside me. I see a lot of over weight flatbedders. You will have to climb on some loads but it's not bad. A lot of loads are not tall and there are no tarp loads as well. Also many shippers have tarping stations and help lay the tarps out for fear of a trucker hurting themselves on the property. Plus it's roughly 1-2 hours of work then the physical part is over, sometimes for days your under the same load it's no more physical work till you get to the receiver.

Sir when I started this job in October I weighed 335 myself I have put myself on a diet and not having downtime as much I used to I have already lost 60 lbs it makes the job a little harder yes but not impossible.

You can do it easily. Just be safe, tie off your ladder if your going to use one... youll be on the bed a lot more than you think. getting down and climbing back up may be safer than trying to scoot around it... just think safety first and you'll be fine. its not like your going to have to jog 5 miles a day... you shouldn't have to jog at all, at least while working you shouldn't be jogging or running (for safety purposes). get a ladder that will hold your weight and tie it off when you use it, a quick clove hitch takes two seconds. don't try fighting with the chain binder, dont try to bind it while up on the truck if you dont have to you might fall off dont break your leg when releasing the chain binder... those are the things you want to watch out for. your stamina for mowing the lawn in the summer time at your weight should be pretty close to equivalent to the stmina youll need to tarp and chain...