I've been posting right and left on various forums asking where's the best place to earn during your first year if you're not afraid to work hard and be away from home.

Answer seems to be long haul flat bedding . . . TMC, Maverick etc.

Well, now I'm getting looks from my next door neighbor.
He flat bedded years ago. Says flat bedding will kill all but the young. It's a young man's game . . . hauling chains, climbing, jumping, all all the tarping and bungee cording in the wind and ice. LOL Makes it sounds pretty bad alright!

I'm over 50 and in generally OK shape. A little flabby with a beer gut but strong. I'm no pussy and will give it total effoprt but I'm no spring chicken anymore.

So what's the truth?

Is the physical part so hard and uncomfortable that it just makes common sense for older guys to look at other types of driving?

Don't want to let my greed overcome my common sense . . .

 

The short answer, and probably the most honest, is that the more work you are doing in (or on) the trailer, the more money you will earn. Any joe schmoe can bump a dock, but it takes someone with some work ethic to do all the things you describe.

Sorry to burst your bubble like that.

 

Hey frogman,

I'm 49 and in the middle of taking the necessary steps to getting back on the road after coming off in '92. Time for a change.

I loved flatbedding and still miss it to this day. I really enjoyed the physical aspect of it and never considered it really "hard" work, just...physical.

I've worked harder chasing grandkids around.

Now a Harley and a 21 year old blond would probably do me in, but flatbedding?....Naaaahhh!

 

Well to be physically qualified at TMC you need to demonstrate that you can do the following. (after passing the DOT physical)

1) Lift an 80 pound tarp from the floor to the deck of the trailer, almost 5 feet. For me that was just about shoulder level. Remember to lift with your knees. It is really quite easy if you do it properly. The tarp bundle will be about 40 inches high and 12 inches around when stood on end. Squat down and flip it up onto your shoulder and then stand up. Slide it forward onto the trailer and you are done. Don't think about it just do it.

2) Get yourself onto the trailer. We had to attempt to get on without climbing on the tires or ICC bumper. It really isn't that hard when you have a clear trailer and can jump up a little and roll onto the trailer. There were three people who couldn't quite do that and they have not been sent home, so I don't know how much that counts.

3) Lift that same 80 pound tarp again and set it on top of the steel coil. Handle it the same way to get up to shoulder level and then slide it up the rounded surface of the coil to get it to the top. Those of us shorter people did have to stretch out on tiptoe for the last inch or two, but you are only sliding the tarp, not lifting.

So it not very physically demanding to get hired. Now weather or not you really want to wrestle with tarps and straps and chains every day is up to you.

 

If you can pass Mavericks physical, then you can do the work. I have a very extensive blog on truck.net about what their physical is like. It is under the same user ID.

 

I'm 63 years old, weigh 145 soaking wet with my steel toed boots on and drive flatbed. The big part is being careful, planning how to keep that damn tarp from blowing away when it is windy, and keeping warm when it is cold are my two biggest problems.

Tom

 

Thanks for the honest replies folks.

I've seen the phsycal and agility tests described but I will check out your blog, sir.

And to you, 63-year old 145 lb soaking wet . . . total respect, sir. Hope I continue to be that spry!

 

goodluck

 

I'm 63 and have pulled a step deck or heavy hauler for close to 40 years. You will get a workout but it's good for ya Hardest for me anymore is a full lumber tarp load when it is over 100 in the shade and you are in the middle of a cement parking lot. Just leave the air in the cab and sleeper on Hi and take a nap when ya done.

 

The reason you get more flatbed responses, is because there are more flat bedders here. HHG is another good way to earn your first year, but as stated above, its kind of a young man's game.

There are exceptions though, as my dad is like 53 and can run circles around me and teal 95KW. :lol: So, agen is just a number felt in the heart :? :wink: