Not everyone who can drive a car will be able to work as a long-haul trucker. Ground transportation requires experience that can only be attained through years of driving.
But within the trucking industry itself, one mode of transportation stands out as particularly challenging: flatbed trucking. For drivers willing to take risks, flatbed trucking can be a good career choice. Flatbed drivers are some of the most in-demand drivers in the trucking industry. They are constantly being hired by trucking companies across the country and HMD Trucking is no exception.
Let’s try to weigh the pros and cons of flatbed trucking and draw conclusions about the profession.
Pro: Flatbed trucking brings physical benefits
As medical professionals have cautioned, leading an inactive lifestyle can cause numerous health complications. For flatbed truck drivers, this can be notably significant as they spend significant amounts of time on the road. Once it is time to unload, strength isn’t the only attribute needed. Agility and equilibrium are essential for success. On the plus side, their hard labor will be rewarded with improved physical health, extended life span and heightened overall well-being. Even though being a flatbed truck driver entails many physical challenges, it doesn’t need to come at the expense of your health.
Con: Flatbed trucking involves dangers
Flatbed trucks present a certain level of danger in comparison to box trailers due to the lack of a protective and secure environment to secure the cargo. It is the duty of the driver to tie down and fully secure the load utilizing the appropriate materials and tools. Unsecured cargo can easily fall off and cause catastrophic accidents if measures are not taken to protectively bind it in place. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to use the necessary tools and materials to adequately secure the load when loading a flatbed truck.
Pro: higher risk, higher reward
Flatbed trucking is no small task; it requires a significant level of physical and mental diligence. However, for those who go the extra mile to ensure successful movements of cargo, the reward is abundantly worthwhile. In fact, according to those in the know, flatbed truckers often earn over $13,000 annually more than their counterparts. This is largely due to the heightened demand high-end customers have for safeguarded transportation of their valuables, which companies often pay top-dollar to have accomplished.
Con: No room for error
Hauling cargo is always a risky affair, no matter what type of truck you use. Refrigerated vehicles transporting ice cream could be in grave danger if their cooling systems malfunction, while trailers can be too fragile for certain cargoes. However, flatbeds require a higher level of caution than all other trucks due to their lack of walls and roofs. If a single strap is not carefully fastened correctly, a stray object can easily come loose and damage property – or worse, cause a fatal accident. Any flatbed truck driver must be extremely vigilant while on the job, and never overlook the important task of securing the loads with tarps, ratchet straps, and transport chains. It takes a special kind of person to handle the pressures of this profession and be successful in it.
Pro: Ability to have more free time
Flatbed cargo trips don’t need to stretch across the whole country, with many journeys limited to within a particular region. This means that businesses requiring such transportation usually operate on weekdays, and hence flatbed drivers are provided with more respite over weekends to spend quality time with loved ones. Being mainly confined to remote and industrial areas, flatbed drivers also have the advantage of avoiding a significant amount of traffic, and completing their trips in fairly quick succession. Allowing them to gain more miles in a shorter period of time.
Con: Drivers need to be more attentive when hauling
As drivers, it’s essential for us to be extra vigilant, not only when we’re loading cargo but also when it comes to the parking of our vehicle. When transporting dry freight, it is not viable to have the Option of fencing in our trailers or even installing locks to safeguard the cargo. Hence, we have to be extra aware of where we park it to have a rest, so as to avoid any unwanted scenarios.
Pro: Working on a flatbed is better mentally stimulating
If you love a good challenge and want to keep your brain sharp and focused, then flatbed trucking might be just the thing for you. With every cargo needing to be secured to the truck in a unique way, you’ll need to be sure that all the components fit together like a jigsaw puzzle to ensure the cargo is properly secured. Tarps, straps, E-track and a whole host of other securing items are all available from Mytee Products to make sure you have all the appropriate trucking supplies to get the job done safely while offering mental stimulation to keep you on top of your game – sharp, focused and feeling accomplished.
Con: More regulations and control
As a flatbed driver, it is incredibly important to be as aware and mindful of all necessary safety requirements as possible in order to avoid any potentially disastrous situations. Law enforcement officers have the right to conduct spot checks and even detain you while on the job, which may be disconcerting, but the primary purpose of such measures is to protect the general public by enforcing prescribed safety regulations. To help prevent any unnecessary problems with authorities while on the road, it is recommended to practice extra caution and take the necessary steps to be prepared. This includes verifying that all relevant safety equipment is in good condition and making sure to abide by all of the prescribed rules.
Conclusion
It should be noted that flatbed trucking is hard work. Flatbed truck drivers must have a good understanding of how cargo should be secured to ensure the safety of the product during transportation. There is a decent amount of pay for this job. After we’ve looked at the pros and cons of flatbed trucking in detail, you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to take on such a call.