Trucking - Flatbed vs Reefer vs Dry Van - Which is better??

[@thehovermatic1243]

Flatbed is where it’s at. A friend of mine from cdl school last year and I have been comparing settlements and pay and with the waiting I can run more flatbed loads every week than he can run reefer loads. I’m getting 3,000-3,600miles every week consistently and a 34 hr reset every Sunday. It’s not that flatbed is easier, it’s work, usually about 60-90 minutes at each location. Enough to work up a sweat for sure but the sleep deprivation with reefer is more like torture.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Definitely can get more loads

[@Solitude633]

I did not like the reefer division. It's too hectic for me. I'd rather do dry van

[@williamfriar6295]

May take 4-5 hours on getting my reefer loaded, but then I run 2,500 miles before I have to open the doors again. Bumping the dock once a week has its advantages. Every load/unload cycle has its own set of headaches: finding shipper/receiver, actual loading/unloading process, scaling new load, dealing with customers (10% of them are crazy), paperwork, etc, etc. When I can load in Washington or Idaho, then deliver in Georgia or Florida five days later, you’re not going to convince me that bumping a dock three or four times a week is the way to go. It’s the total dock/customer time for the week that counts, not how long you spent at one customer. And the majority of trucking aggravation is incurred at the point of pickup or delivery. Reduce the number of these events and you reduce the aggravation.

[@williamfriar6295]

I get paid by the mile, not by the dock.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Yeah my last company had me running longer hauls and if you can get it to pay good (mine didn't) I'll run less loads and get more miles per load any day.

[@derekweddle5667]

I haul hazmat…automotive paint to all the factories in the Midwest and south. The money is damn good and I’m pullin about 2500-3000 miles a week and I’m home weekends and 1-2 nights during the week.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Gotta love money and hometime

[@hptrucklines5367]

Great video Kev I like reefer more than dry van because of the thing you pointed out loads are always available. I may eventually stop doing van and go back reefer

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Yeah if I was being honest I liked flatbed more but due to the fact I like to drive more than work reefer is where I would go

[@kengreskamp]

Thank you for your new direction and content sharing your experience in trucking.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

No problem. I've had so many of these videos planned just never got around to shooting them

[@JoelLifestyle]

Hi there Kevin I have a question so I just got my CDL permit. I’m bout to get into school. I was accepted, but they wouldn’t tell me how much they’re going to pay me per mile until I decide what I want to do flatbed or dry van or refrigerated I know the basic when it comes over refrigerated and dry because I was a helper for a company that delivered food for Chick-fil-A but now the I’m taking the journey as a driver also a father of five I do want the one that pays more but also the one that let me be home more often lmk what u think I leave for school on sep15

[@ridingwithkev5560]

@JoelLifestyle in my opinion flatbed pays more and because they tend to have shorter runs you can get home easily. Just as long as you are prepared for the physical labor part.

[@vincentwhittington9408]

Great video! Once you get those endorsements you can come to the best division. #TankerGang lol

[@ridingwithkev5560]

I didn't even mention tanker 😳. Oops

[@raymondespinosa4558]

"Lard ass disease"😂😂

[@412hwc]

flatbed all day my guy!

[@ridingwithkev5560]

It was definitely fun and never the same thing

[@leagueofotters2774]

So with flatbed is it possible to have a relatively regular sleep pattern?

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Yes. Flatbed customers "tend" to be 7-3 type customers. So typically no crazy delivery hours like van and reefer

[@chaffelhaye9259]

like the video.... God bless you too

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Thank you

[@Dachamp2001]

Heavy haul is where it's at!! Lowboys all day long

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Jealous of those guys

[@Dachamp2001]

@@ridingwithkev5560 Facts lol even though you got to run flat or step 1st for at least a yr

[@Solitude633]

Ice Road trucking is where it's at

[@michaelboyle9512]

I'm solar powered 🤣. I don't know how van drivers don't lose their sanity cooped up in the truck all day every day. Securing and tarping is the exercise I need to release tension.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Absolutely

[@Solitude633]

I'm a van driver & I'm going insane but I love it 😵🚚

[@Alfonzo0887]

I was about to say, a new lane?? Solar powered??? LOL much respect to you and other skateboarders! I am not built to be tarping in the hot heat and dead of winter! LOL

[@HeathensTruckingLLC]

Work smart not hard #reefergang

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Definitely

[@thehovermatic1243]

Please explain what is smart about sitting around all day waiting to get loaded while the reefer is burning 3 gallons an hour?

[@HeathensTruckingLLC]

@@thehovermatic1243 don’t know who you run for but I hardly ever sit, plus my reefer turns off when doors open so ain’t burning nothing

[@HeathensTruckingLLC]

@@thehovermatic1243 what reefer you have that’s burning 3 gallons an hour???? Might want to get that checked 😂

[@ridingwithkev5560]

@@thehovermatic1243 well to be fair reefers are not that bad on fuel and most loads only take 3-4 hours to load some less, the big places can definitely stretch it out. If you work for a reputable company a lot of guys count on detention because you get paid to sleep or eat 😂. It's is definitely an easier route

[@wanabetruckerdave3776]

You forgot tanker! 😒... Good vid BTW.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

I did but to be fair I have never done it so was speaking toy experience 😂

[@BobDiot]

Sup Kev. FLATBED FOR LIFE lol

[@ridingwithkev5560]

Love and hate

[@BobDiot]

@@ridingwithkev5560 I love it. Plus I have a Conestoga so no real tarping

[@ibrahimcehajic]

I'm done with trucking im done with the use and abuse and theft of time and money.

[@ridingwithkev5560]

It's getting bad at a lot of places

[@Solitude633]

Which division were you under if I may ask?