[charged]

I forgot the spread axle flatbed trailers are harder to back IMO.

[Malaki86]

I only did flatbed for the first few months I was driving. I didn't mind the chaining/strapping, but gawd - those tarps suck. And, yes, a spread axle is harder to back, mainly because the pivot point on the trailer axles change with every load.

[Mackman]

Originally Posted by charged

I have a relative, about 55, who started out recently. He got his CDL, bought a truck and flatbed a month ago. Of course with his own authority he can do anything he wants, like be home when he wants and haul what he wants.
Tarping is the worse part, but sometimes it doesn't need to be done. Strapping and chaining are not rocket science either.

Steve Booth???

[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by wsclinger

Wondering as with all my research my personal feeling is that Flats is the way to go, even just starting out at 51 years of age.

Personally, I think 51 is much too old to pull a skateboard. 8)

[charged]

I'm not sure who steve booth is.

[wsyrob]

Don't rule out tankers. Less physical work than flats but more than box. I think they suit the senior citizen driver. You have to go slow and easy.

[ct77]

Loved flatbedding but then again I was primarily in the SE but I cussed a storm everytime I had to pull frozen tarps off a load and or it was snowing when I went up north.

[PhuzzyGnu]

Originally Posted by ajritter04

Flatbeds, however, are different in the fact that the shipper usually wants the load on the truck and secured / covered properly as fast as they (and you) can get it. When you get to the receiver, they're happy to see you and will get that load off the truck ASAP. Very little waiting with a flatbed...at least compared to a reefer.

Um... Haven't ever done a lot of pipe, have you?

-p.

[Jumbo]

Originally Posted by terrylamar

Personally, I think 51 is much too old to pull a skateboard. 8)

It all depends on the frieght you haul. If you are hauling nothing but lumber and other junk then maybe. I have only tarped 1 load in the last three months and that was a whopping 18" high on the trailer. One 14'x14' tarp and I was on my way.

[ct77]

Originally Posted by PhuzzyGnu

Um... Haven't ever done a lot of pipe, have you?

-p.

On average he is right generally dont wait long. But the longest it took me to unload was with a load of pipe, I guess laying pipe takes longer...... :lol: :lol: :lol: