Are you looking to transport oversized loads over long distances? Then you should consider flatbed trucking. It is widely known among truckers that flatbed trucking is one of the most lucrative forms of haulage. But why does flatbed trucking command such high rates? Flatbed trucking is a transport service used for wide-bodied or oversized cargo. It is perfect for transporting heavy-duty items and things with odd shapes that won’t fit into a container. If you are considering a career in the trucking industry, consider flatbed trucking as it pays more than many others. The most important consideration for most truckers is the money. Why not go for the highest paying trucking job? An average OTR flatbed truck driver earns .42 cents per mile compared to .34 cents per mile for dry van drivers.
So why does flatbed trucking pay more? The three main factors are 1) average distance driven per load and 2) speed/ease of loading and unloading and 3) dangers involved. Flatbed trucking fleets average more miles per load per truck than dry vans, and it is also faster to load and unload flatbeds and many flatbed loads are more dangerous, heavier, and pose more risks. This means companies can charge more per load which puts more money in the drivers pocket.
Are you considering pulling a flatbed trailer as a trucker? You are in luck. Flatbed trucking is one of the highest paying sectors of the trucking industry, but it can also be the most demanding. Unlike regular trucking, flatbed truckers earn far more than their peers who pull dry vans. They also spend more time on their feet as they are involved in the loading and unloading of freight. However, flatbed trucking is also dangerous for a lot of reasons. Not only are you dealing with humongous cargoes frightful in their own right, but the chances of accidents are also higher because flatbeds carry their cargo openly. Flatbeds do not have compartments in which they store their cargo. Everything is hauled in the open. Unlike dry vans that transport palatalized freight, flatbeds carry a variety of cargo including aluminum extrusions, steel coils, cable reels, heavy machinery, pipes, I-beams, military vehicles, and more. If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding job in the trucking business, flatbed trucking may be the perfect fit for you.
What Is Flatbed Trucking?
So what is flatbed trucking? Flatbed trucking is trucking where you transport oversized or wide-bodied items on open trailers. This kind of trucking is used to haul cargo which is too heavy or too large to fit into dry vans. As a flatbed trucker, you will haul everything from steel coils, heavy machinery, mobile homes, military hardware, automobiles, and even helicopters and small airplanes. A flatbed truck moves anything which cannot be transported in an enclosed trailer.
Flatbed trailers are constructed from aluminum frames with wooden floors though some also have metallic flooring. They are 53’ long and 102’ wide with open sides but some flatbed trucking fleet provide side rack kits or fixed canvas tarps as walls on their flatbed trucks. Most flatbed trucks don’t need walls because their freight is often disproportionate. You only need protective cover if your cargo may be damaged by the elements in transit. For that, tarps will come in handy.
What You Need to Become a Flatbed Trucker
All truck drivers require a minimum of high school certificate and a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). You also need to have a knack for driving heavy-duty vehicles and mechanical skills to get yourself out of tight fixes. However, you need specific skills peculiar to the flatbed trucking niche. These include:
Loading
While most freight that go on a flatbed require cranes or forklifts for loading, you may still need to help sometimes. Because flatbed trucking comes with a lot of danger, regulators require strict adherence to loading rules. That means you have to be involved in the loading process to make sure your freight is loaded and balanced properly. Despite the strict laws, the good thing is that loading and unloading freight on flatbeds takes a short amount of time. These cuts down the time flatbed truckers spend at the dock, increasing mileage and pay.
Load Securement
Since flatbeds transport their cargo on an open platform, it is vital to secure the items firmly and safely to prevent losing the load in transit and forestall disaster. As a flatbed trucker, learn how to fasten your cargo as fast as possible. The most common securement devices are 4″ nylon straps and steel chain, but there are many other types of devices for specific freights.
The Department of Transportation determines the securement device used for loads and it is strict with the regulations. Nylon straps that have winches are used to secure the loads tightly. While nylon is easy to use and more flexible, they have a 5000 pound working load limit and suffer from abrasion at the point where they contact the freight. However, padding can help reduce the level of abrasion.
Chain is used for securing metal products such as steel pipes and heavy machinery. Unlike nylon, chains have a working load limit of 12,000, allowing them to secure far heavier freight.
Tarping
You also need to know how to tarp although not all freight require tarps. If you are hauling freight that requires protection against the elements, you need to have a tarp system, and know how to secure it properly. Taping can be dangerous in windy conditions as the wind can blow you away with the tarp, causing potentially severe injuries. Poorly secured tarp poses a lot of danger to you and other road users, making it essential to secure it properly like your freight.
Advantages of Flatbed Trucking
Are you planning to become a flatbed trucker? You can earn good pay from this industry and also enjoy quality work-life balance. The following are benefits of flatbed trucking.
Higher Remuneration
Flatbed trucking pays higher than other trucking jobs but this depends on the package of individual trucking companies. However, most companies pay well because the job is more demanding than others. Industry statistics show flatbed truckers earn upwards of $65,000 per year, over $10,000 more than dry van truckers.
Low Competition
There is a serious shortage of experienced drivers in the trucking industry. This has forced trucking companies to offer mouth-watering compensation to encourage drivers to work for them. Flatbed drivers are even in a higher demand because their job is more complex. So you won’t have to worry about work if you become a flatbed trucker.
Work-Life Balance
Time off is a contentious issue among truckers and their employers. However, flatbed drivers get more home time than others. This is because they load and unload their freight faster and the demanding nature of the job requires adequate rest. Imagine transporting the fuselage of an Apache helicopter to an Air Force Base at the other end of the country. You have one drop-off point and loading and unloading takes a few minutes.
Drawbacks of Flatbed Trucking
Flatbed trucking might pay more than other haulage jobs, but it also comes with some drawbacks including:
Highly Dangerous
Handling large, oversized and overweight freight can be a dangerous activity. From the loading, hauling, and unloading, every aspect of flatbed trucking requires careful execution to prevent life-altering accidents. As a flatbed trucker, think of the safety of your freight, your equipment and other road users. A 50-ton freight rolling off your trailer can cause untold havoc to other drivers and public property.
Stringent Regulations
Flatbed trucks are subject to stricter laws and regulations because of the dangers associated with them. Drivers must adhere to the DoT’s cargo securement rules to ensure their freight does not lose balance, loosen or fall off in transit.
What Pays the Most in Trucking?
Do you enjoy driving long distances alone? The trucking business might be a perfect fit for you. However, it is important to know the best trucking jobs since you want the highest compensation for your efforts. Here is a list of the top paying trucking jobs.
Tanker Hauler: Fuel tanker truckers make up to $70,000 per year. As a tanker driver, you will move liquid cargo such as water, gasoline, vegetable oil, liquid soap among others. However, you require additional training and certification to qualify, but it will be worth it.
Hazmat Driver: Hazardous material drivers with a year of experience make a minimum of $1,000 as per RoadMaster.com. You also need extra certification but there is unlimited potential in this niche.
Ice Road Trucker: According to AOL Jobs, some ice road truckers make up to $250,000 in two icy-season months. Ice road truckers haul their freight over pure ice, making it one of the most dangerous trucking jobs out there. However, the risk is well compensated.
Oversized Load Hauler: Oversized load haulers transport everything from heavy machinery, construction materials and more. You can make up to $90,000 per year transporting oversized cargo.
Transport Driver: Transport truckers haul specialty vehicles, luxury cars, and junked vehicles. Average pay in this category is about $53,000 per year.
Flatbed Trucking Tips
Flatbed trucking is dangerous, so you need to know safety and trucking tips to stay on top of your game.
Flatbed Safety Trips
Make sure your freight is properly secured before moving, use the appropriate securement device for your load, be careful while tarping. Mind the wind and use a tarping station if available. Travel with safety equipment such as a hard hat, safety glasses and vest at all times. Many consignee locations won’t allow you handle the load without proper safety precautions.
