Why drive flatbed

This reputation is justly given based on the heavy and odd shaped loads that drivers are required to secure and haul for their customers. Along with the difficulties of flatbed trucking come rewards and the skills it requires are in constant demand. Here 3 reasons why driving a flatbed truck is rewarding. Your typical flatbed load pays more per mile when compared to many other types of trucking.

This is because the challenging nature of the work allows flatbed carriers to charge more for their services. If you are working for a good carrier or transport company, some of this cost increase should flow into your pockets.

There are up-charges for additional work, such as tarping, which can add up to a significant income difference compared to dry van and temperature controlled loads. Due to the increased difficulty level of driving flatbed loads, the number of good, qualified drivers are limited.

This translates into more jobs, higher wages as mentioned above and the ability to be more strategic about the loads you are picking up. Although the categories of cargo are the same, loads are rarely the same. Flatbed truck drivers enjoy hauling items of all shapes and sizes — usually making each trip memorable.

Naturally, the variety of flatbed loads combined with securing and tarping cargo lends itself to a heightened sense of safety. Pre-and post-inspections become vital to ensuring the freight, the truck, the driver, and the public are safe from potentially dangerous situations.

For the most part, driving flatbed means the driver can be responsible for covering and securing cargo. Loading and unloading are typically busy times for drivers. So, for truckers who like to stay active between delivery times, flatbed trucking is a perfect fit. Because of the active work of flatbed trucking and how much weather plays a factor in loads, many shippers and carriers pay surcharges for an activity like tarping. Many factors can play into annual take-home pay for flatbed drivers, like experience, length of haul, and how much a carrier pays per mile.

Many carriers, like Knight Transportation, offer dedicated routes resulting in the added benefit of not having to secure and tarp cargo during loading and unloading. So, for truckers who like to stay active between delivery times, flatbed trucking is a perfect fit.

Because of the active work of flatbed trucking and how much weather plays a factor in loads, many shippers and carriers pay surcharges for an activity like tarping. Many factors can play into annual take-home pay for flatbed drivers, like experience, length of haul, and how much a carrier pays per mile. Many carriers, like Knight Transportation, offer dedicated routes resulting in the added benefit of not having to secure and tarp cargo during loading and unloading.

Imagine receiving all the advantages of flatbed trucking without the extra time moving around cargo. Transporting odd-sized and shaped freight can prepare flatbed truck drivers for opportunities with oversized loads, hazmat cargo, and tanker truck endorsements.

Typically, truck drivers with hazmat and tanker endorsements are among the highest-paid level of truckers. Now is a perfect time to become a flatbed truck driver.

Interested in driving for Knight Transportation? View Trucking Jobs.