pros and cons of covered wagons vs. flatbed
 

Curious as a driver what the advantaged/disadvantages are for each. As I apply to several companies (one being Maverick) I am curious. I am in good physical shape for any tarping etc..., so thats not an issue. I live in the Chicago area and a newbie with a CDL.

Covered Wagons/Flatbed
 

Can be the same wagon. Some flatbed companies have the trailers configured to carry the tarp, stakes, panels, and bows to set up a "covered wagon". A CW can be faster to load/unload depending on the skill of the driver. Not the same as a curtainside. BOL

Depends on what you are hauling. Covered wagons are mainly designed for steel coils. Its alot faster than tarping a coil on a flatbed, especially if you are hauling more than one at a time. But as a steelhauler you may end up with a load of beams, bars, rod, pipe, skids, or anything else that fits inside your wagon. These loads will make you wish you had a flatbed because you have to take down the side panels and there may not be alot of room to work when your trying to put it back together. Maverick has a steel division (covered wagons) with a yard in Gary. I would think it would be perfect for you living in Chicago. Mostly steel coils, run closer to home (800 mi radius), and no problem getting good hometime every weekend. My cousin is in this division. If you want more variety, (lumber, building products, steel, or anything else) and a wider running area then go flatbed.

Re: Covered Wagons/Flatbed
 

Your right Sealord but its not something you want to do very often. I've done it and its alot of work. The tarp is 50 feet long and all the ropes have to be retied and adjusted. I'd rather wait for another load than take down my sidekit! :lol:

But I dont work there anymore anyway.

Now are you asking about a covered wagon or a connestoga trailer? Alot of guys call a connestoga a covered wagon. Just asking so we can compare apples to apples.

Ditto on you being in a good area for Maverick's covered wagon division. You should get plenty of hometime, but you'll rarely leave the I-80, I-90 & I-70 areas. Of course the major downside, to the Maverick flatbedders you'll be known as a "sidekit sissy"...

Some shippers require a covered wagon. There is less likelihood of weather damage from a ripped tarp. Some shippers load from the rear and unload from the side. If you primarily haul steel and need to do a lot of tarping, a covered wagon will save you a quite a bit of time. It will save time tarping and you can also keep all your chains and ratchets inside the wagon which also saves time and protects your equipment from the elements. Most people who pull a covered wagon prefer to keep the kit up. It can take a couple of hours or longer to break down and secure it. It isn't something you want to do on a regular basis. When I pulled a covered wagon it was rare that I broke it down. I stayed pretty busy keeping it up. One other advantage to having a covered wagon is that you are not as likely to slip and fall off the trailer in bad weather. If you want to pull an over sized load it will be necessary to break the kit down. I know of some who prefer tarping to using a side kit or covered wagon.

is it really a pain in the a** to tarp/tiedown?
 

is it a real pain in the a** to tarp and tie down on a flat bed? I know it depends on the load but typically how long can it take?

LOL...sidekit sissy....it just sunk in...do the other drivers really raz/harass you? Why? arnt you still doing the same basic flatbed work like tying down/chaining like they are?

Yeah well you must've been saying it under your breath cause I never heard it! And if I did I'd kick your *&^$^^#!@ERT*^%^UJUTR%&IUI and then _(*^#$^^%$#@$%&^%%^&* you stup*& &^%$*()(&^$@%^%$!

FYI I'm an ex Ultra Force Transformer. Never heard of us have you? Thats because it takes a triple top secret clearance and the public doesnt know about us. We can be a Navy Seal, Army Ranger, Special Forces or wear any color beret you got! AND I know kungfu!

Ten?

:lol: :lol: :lol: