• Home
    • The Blog
  • Become a Truck Driver
    • Thinking of Becoming a Truck Driver?
    • Getting a CDL License
    • Truck Driving Jobs Guide
    • Trucking Company Guide
    • Trucker Life
  • CDL Training
    • Paid CDL Training
    • CDL Schools
    • Professional Driving Skills + Knowledge
  • Owner Operator
  • Just Trucks
  • Book a Consultation Now!

Smart Trucking

The Smart Trucking Survival Guide for the Trucker

What You Need to Know About Flatbed Trucking Jobs

October 25, 2019 By Catherine MacMillan

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is.
3shares
  • 3

Flatbed truck driving jobs are a little different than other lines of trucking.

They’re a little more demanding and can be more hazardous.

But on the other hand, these jobs usually pay more than average trucking jobs.

Many truckers feel that the risk is worth the reward. And if you’re a skilled and experienced driver, this may be just the challenge you’ve been looking for.

Peterbilt truck pulling a load of lumber on a flatbed trailer

What is Flatbed Trucking?

Flatbed trucking is a type of trucking where you will haul over-sized or wide-load items. You might be transporting building supplies, like lumber, steel coils, shingles, and pipe.

Or you could be hauling military vehicles, machinery, or even mobile homes. Basically, anything that can’t be hauled in an enclosed trailer because of its size or shape.

It’s pretty common to see multiple trailer combinations in Canada and some states in the U.S., such as Michigan.

Flatbed trailers are 53’ long x 102” wide. They’re built with strong aluminum frames and have wooden floors. The most common flatbeds have flat decks, but some have drop decks.

They obviously are not enclosed with walls, but you can buy side rack kits, or walls with fixed canvas tarps.

You can also buy curtain side trailer covers and curtain side self-supporting tarp systems. These roll forward or backwards on the trailer to easily cover your freight.

Skills Required for Flatbed Trucking

Because you’re dealing with different types of freight with flatbed trucking, you’ll need a few particular skills you may have never thought of.

  • Loading. Most of the time, your large freight will be loaded with forklifts or cranes, which won’t require much effort for you. But depending on the type of freight it is, you may be required to help. And even if you’re not, the regulations and laws are so strict, that you’ll want to always make sure your freight is balanced correctly over the axles and loaded properly.
  • Load securement. Securing your load is a skill you’ll have to acquire quickly. And believe me, it is a skill! The regulations are strict on the types of tie downs you use and how many. And the Department of Transportation is very thorough about checking how well your load is secured. (More on these regulations later.)
  • Tarping. Tarping is another technique that requires some learned skill. Not all loads require tarps, but the ones that do must be covered a certain way. That’s where some of those canvas kits and tarp systems come in handy. Any covers you use have to be secured just as well as the freight. Imagine losing a giant tarp that lands on a vehicle behind you. It can be just as dangerous as losing cargo.

Related > 5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking

Benefits of Flatbed Trucking

Flatbed truck drivers are in this line of the business for several reasons. Some of them strictly do it for the pay for a short period of time. But others prefer it to other trucking niches once they’ve gotten used to it.

  • Pay

In this field, you’ll likely make more money over the span of your career than you would in other trucking jobs. But that’s not to say they ALL pay better. This obviously depends largely on the companies you sign with. But overall, because of the demand of the job, you’ll get better compensation.

Flatbed trucking jobs are another top-paying trucking field, about right in line with reefer trucking. On average, you’re likely to make about $10-$15,000 more per year than other drivers, bringing in anywhere from $65,000 and up.

Related > The Truck Driver Salary Reference Guide 

  • Job Demand

The trucking industry overall is suffering from a massive shortage, making it a high-demand skill. But it’s especially true with flatbed trucking. Because you’ll be able to haul such a wide variety of freight, this job will always be in demand. You can haul all sorts of things that won’t fit in enclosed trailers.

  • Time Off

I mentioned earlier that you’d likely be spending more time at home as a flatbed driver. But it’s not just because of the physically-demanding nature. It’s also because the loading process usually takes less time.

Think about it — if you’re hauling two huge Army Hummers, how much time will it take to unload? And you’re probably only stopping at one location. On the other hand, with other types of trucking, you may be unloading 35 pallets at several different locations.

OVERSIZED LOAD OF PIPE ON A FLATBED TRAILER BEHIND A BIG RIG TRUCK

Disadvantages of Flatbed Trucking

As you probably know, when a niche in any job pays higher than others, there’s usually a reason. In this case, it’s a more demanding type of job in many ways.

  • Dangers

There are a few dangers that come with this type of trucking that don’t necessarily apply to others.

For one thing, if you’re handling large freight and not having it loaded with machinery, it can be dangerous to work with and load. You’ll also usually be the one climbing on top of the freight to make sure it’s secured properly.

This brings me to the next issue. If you fail to secure your freight correctly or if something goes wrong, you run the risk of some of it falling off during transport.

Depending on the type of freight it is, you could get seriously hurt and threaten the safety of other drivers on the road.

  • Regulations

Because of these dangers, there are much stricter regulations and laws concerning flatbed trucks.

The United States Department of Transportation is the agency in the U.S. that’s responsible for publishing cargo securement rules.

And Canada adheres to most of the same rules with very little exception.

The entire purpose of the requirements is to make sure that your load is tied down without the risk of it loosening, becoming unstable, and falling off during transport.

This includes monitoring load limits, using the right tie downs, trailer sizes, and weight limits.

And ignorance of these rules will not get you off the hook with law enforcement officials, so it’s important to learn them well.

Related > The Deadly Dangers of a Truck Driving Job You Probably Didn’t Know Existed 

Flatbed Trucking Can Be a Great Career

It’s true flatbed trucking jobs are quite a bit more demanding than others.

But the salary and increased time off make it worth it for a lot of people. The good news is that flatbed skills are fairly easily learned and you’ll never have to worry about finding a job!

Related > The Best Trucking Companies to Work For  USA

Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue Peterbilt

More Articles You May Like

  • A Comprehensive Guide to The 18 Wheeler Truck
  • Truck Driver Tips For Handling High Risk Deliveries
  • Hot Shot Trucking – A Complete Guide
  • 9 High Paying Truck Driver Jobs You Should Know About

Filed Under: Truck Driving Jobs

Recent Articles

  • View of Highway from Big Rig Over Hood3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
    It's critical to protect your CDL. Some smart trucker tips to keep that CDL you've worked so hard for, clean and intact throughout your trucking career. […]
  • Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue PeterbiltDrive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
    In spite of the problems in the trucking industry, there are still a number of truckers who stay with their career, as they love to drive. Dave laments on why he's stayed with the job, in spite of the industry and its faults. […]
  • Convoy of Big RigsTop Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
    We have curated a list of the top trucking companies in Canada to Work for in 2021: best paying, best for new drivers, tanker outfits, long haul carriers. […]
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!
    Truck driver training schools don't teach ALL you need to know about driving a truck. We give 5 things you WON'T learn in CDL school + how to fix that! […]
  • 1981 International Transtar II BlueThe Old Big Rigs – What It Was Like To Drive Them
    A 42+ year trucker laments about driving old big rigs in the '70's and '80's: Transtar Cabover, R Model Mack, Western Star, Kenworth W900A, Cabover Freightliner […]
  • Experienced Veteran Truck Driver Smart Trucking Leaning on 379 Peterbilt5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking
    I have learned a lot from my 40 years as a professional driver. There are 5 things that every one considering a truck driving career and those who are new to the industry should know. […]

Search This Site

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Our Latest Articles

  • 3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
  • Drive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
  • Top Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!

Our Most Popular Articles

  • 7 Things You Need To Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver
  • What Professional Truck Drivers Do Differently Than the Rest
  • Winter Driving Tips For the Trucker | A Professional’s Safety Guide
  • 10 Truck Driving Safety Tips Every Professional Driver Should Follow
COPYRIGHT 2012-2020, SMART TRUCKING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PLEASE NOTE: This site contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product or service links on this site, we may receive commissions if you purchase something. Please note: we would not recommend any product/service we would not use ourselves. Learn more...

Home   |    Affiliates & Disclosures   |   Privacy   |    Advertising   |   Disclaimer   |   Contact   |   Who We Are   | Terms + Conditions   | Sponsorships
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.