| In part 1 of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job | | | | released by yourself. The tarps, straps, and chains get |
| Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked | | | | wet, icy, and very hard to handle in poor weather, not |
| about different factors and considerations which will | | | | to mention you're out there crawling around on the |
| affect your experience at any company you go to | | | | load trying to get everything situated. It can be quite |
| work for. | | | | dangerous. I've heard many, many stories of serious |
| In part 2, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part II: You | | | | injuries from guys falling off of trailers. |
| and "Your People" Are The Most Important Factor", | | | | Now there are some advantages to pulling a flatbed |
| we talked about surrounding yourself with the right | | | | also. Often times the tractor and the load you have |
| people, understanding factors that affect the freight | | | | are far shorter in height than your standard trucks, so |
| you'll be getting, and things you can do to put yourself | | | | it's much easier to fit under low bridges in the cities. |
| in the best position to succeed. | | | | Also, the lower profile helps the crosswinds go around |
| In part 3, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part III: How | | | | you a bit better on slick roads in the wintertime. And |
| Your Family and Lifestyle Will Affect Your Choice", we | | | | lastly, it's an interesting way to make a living. There's |
| considered your personality and lifestyle. Are you | | | | always a new challenge, a variety of different types |
| married? Do you have children? Do you love | | | | of loads to secure, and there's a bit of a camaraderie |
| adventure? How long would you like to be away from | | | | amongst the flatbed drivers. It's an interesting and |
| home? These questions all figure into the process of | | | | challenging form of truck driving, but I wouldn't |
| choosing the right truck driving job. | | | | recommend it to anyone who isn't the hardy type. |
| In part 4, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part IV: | | | | Liquid Tankers |
| Advantages of Large Trucking Companies", we of | | | | Now I pulled a food-grade tanker for a year one time |
| course talked about the advantages of working at a | | | | and I really enjoyed it. I never pulled a chemical tanker |
| large trucking company. | | | | and I was never too interested in doing so. I wasn't too |
| In part 5, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part V: | | | | big on the idea of being around a lot of hazardous |
| Comparing Large Trucking Companies To Small | | | | materials or pulling HAZMAT loads very often. |
| Ones", we compared working for companies of | | | | Food grade tankers are interesting though. There are |
| different sizes. | | | | no baffles in the tank, so there is nothing to keep the |
| In part 6, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part VI: Dry | | | | liquids from sloshing around. It takes a bit of time to |
| Van and Refrigerated Companies", we talked a little bit | | | | learn how to shift the truck because the liquid sloshing |
| about life on the road with a dry van or a refrigerated | | | | will thrust or slow down the truck enough that the shift |
| carrier. | | | | won't execute at the speed you're now going. You |
| Now, in part 7, we'll talk a little bit about driving for a | | | | have to "time" your shifts in order to get rolling. It's no |
| tanker or flatbed carrier. | | | | big deal - but it takes some practice. |
| You'll find that there isn't too much of a difference | | | | You also have to be extra careful on slick roads, in |
| between driving for a dry van carrier vs a refrigerated | | | | turns, and when braking. That liquid moves all over the |
| carrier, but pulling a tanker or a flatbed is a whole | | | | place and you have to always be aware of what it's |
| different thing altogether. There are some significant | | | | going to do before you try maneuvering the truck. You |
| differences between the lifestyles and the job duties | | | | don't get too many second chances if you try to make |
| of flatbed and tanker drivers. | | | | too aggressive of a move. |
| Flatbed | | | | Also, you have to get the tank washed out after |
| Pulling a flatbed is a unique way to make a living in | | | | almost every load. This can take a lot of extra time, |
| trucking, and if you ask anyone that does it they'll tell | | | | and mean a bunch of extra running around inbetween |
| you there's nothing easy about it. Well, most | | | | loads. But, at times it's a relief because a two hour nap |
| "flatbedders" are rather tough guys and now that I | | | | is just what the doctor ordered! |
| think about it, they might tell you there's nothing to it. | | | | Lastly, you do have to help unload the truck at times |
| And for them, it's probably mostly true. It has its | | | | by hooking up some hoses. Most liquid tankers also |
| moments for sure, but overall most people that make | | | | have hydraulic pumps on the back and at times you'll |
| their living this way enjoy the physical work, and enjoy | | | | have to run the pump to unload the tank. Again, it's not |
| the unique challenges that come along with it. | | | | a big deal, but it comes with the territory. |
| Some of the differences are obvious - you have to | | | | The advantages to pulling a liquid tanker are that the |
| use chains or straps to hold down your load, and often | | | | crosswinds flow around the tank nicely, you don't have |
| times you have to tarp the load to protect it from the | | | | to worry about getting your axle weights adjusted |
| elements. These jobs are often tedious at best, difficult | | | | because the liquid is self-balancing, and most of the |
| most of the time, and there are a number of rules and | | | | tractors and tanks are fairly short in height, so low |
| regulations that govern the methods used to secure | | | | bridges aren't as much of a concern. |
| your load. The DOT rules loosely specify the types of | | | | Most new drivers won't be dealing with companies |
| equipment you must use, along with some of the | | | | that haul bulk shipments in dry tankers, like flour, sugar, |
| techniques you must use to secure the load. And | | | | and sand, but there isn't too much of a difference in |
| believe me, the DOT is watching closely! | | | | the job and lifestyle from that of a liquid tanker. There |
| I used to be relieved anytime I pulled into a weigh | | | | are far more local jobs for dry bulk tankers though |
| station and there was a flatbed ahead of me. | | | | than there are over the road jobs. |
| Chances are, if the DOT is interested in checking | | | | So as you can see, there are some significant |
| somebody out, the flatbeds often times go first. I pulled | | | | differences in job duties and lifestyles if you're going to |
| dry van the vast majority of my years on the road, | | | | be pulling a tanker or a flatbed vs a dry van or a |
| and we were far less interesting to the DOT than the | | | | refrigerated trailer. |
| flatbeds, for obvious reasons. | | | | In the final part of our series we're going to talk about |
| The work of securing and releasing your load is quite | | | | one of the best ways to find out if a company you |
| physical, and often times quite difficult. The tarps, | | | | are considering driving for is one you might be happy |
| chains, and straps are quite heavy and often times | | | | with. |
| you are out in the weather getting the load secured or | | | | |