Flat Bed Freight

guest · Jun 17, 2005

Does anyone have any info on Flat Bed Expedited Freight?

I have spoken to 3 - 4 drivers that are doing extremely well hauling this type of freight. I am talking to a Company in Michigan and have a face to face meeting with them on Monday (June 20).

Any info anyone has or suggestions will be appreciated.

Also, which way would be the best. Buying a tractor, streaching it and putting a flat bed on it or, converting a current expediter from a 24' box to a flat bed.

Thanks

x06col · Jun 17, 2005

justdoit: Give me a call at 812 663-6834

BigBusBob · Jun 21, 2005

I'm intersted, who on here hauls flatbed freight for any expediter co.'s? Let us know, this is interesting.

BigBusBob · Jun 25, 2005

Lets get this flat-bed freight topic fired up, what happened?
I guess it's not as big and as popular as I thought.
I imagine that expediting on a flatbed could/would be good to some degree though, you could maybe strap down the occasional Lexus or small piece of heavy equipment. The parts from CAT could be layed on a 22' flatbed. 22' flatbed with a "storage" box of about 6 foot, for that occassional 2 pallet move needing protection from the elements. I could see that, with a roll-up door, then you wouldn't have to worry about swinging doors against the sleeper. You could use that area for your tarps and load securement stuff.
We know your out there flatbedders... lets hear your stories of not having to back up. Smile!

Loose_Cannon47 · Jun 25, 2005

Sounds like a niche market to me...there must be someone making money there...maybe like hot-shotting in a straight truck?..someone mentioned doing oil patch work...and I've seen a few flatbed TT's flying expedite logos as well...let's hear some more...

Loose

Broompilot · Jun 25, 2005

I have only seen one, it had the curtans that rolled up to the front and than came back if it needed to be covered. Some trucks have the barn doors on the rear and it has to be rolled out like a Van.

Truck was a ten wheeler I believe it was a Pete or Intl. Grand Rapids Mich.

Go where the demand is unless you have a long term contract in rushing steel or wood products. The majority of the $ is in Van Bodies rushing a couple of pallets. I admire people for being creative but you get to far outside of the industry without a contract your most likely gona get hurt.

Do a better job than the next guy and chances are you will be busier.

Loose_Cannon47 · Jun 25, 2005

Yea, I'm not real sure what those folks haul...the expedite TT's that I've seen were all empty...I think the interest would be in what's being hauled, from/to where, and what's the demand for it...I've seen those soft-side boxes on straights and TT's (cool, no tarping)...good deal if you need to side load/unload, if the load is too long to pick up (endwise) with a forklift, no overhead crane, etc....we had some long conveyor sections delivered to our dock that way...came off over the side with the forklift...we could not have unloaded them otherwise...I'll ask around, see what I can scare up on the flatbed freight...

Loose

Drluvv · Jun 25, 2005

I remember seeing a flat bed expediter truck once in Michigan. It was a curtain side straight truck. I always wondered how busy those drivers were and how much money could be made hauling expedited flat bed loads.

davekc · Jun 25, 2005

Numerous trucks and operators down along I10. Especially around Houston. They run alot from LA to TX.
As mentioned, most of this is petroleum industry related.
Very competitive but profitable if one can obtain their own accounts.

Davekc

Loose_Cannon47 · Jun 25, 2005

Well, that would make sense...seems like most of that oil patch stuff wouldn't likely be coming off at a loading dock...and it's pretty much weatherproof, so no issues with being on an open FB...I guess it would help to know someone in the (oil) industry to see what's available...of course, we might have a hot-shotter or two here with something to suggest...

Loose

fastman_1 · Jun 26, 2005

I Know of a Company in Bedford Heights Ohio called one way express that does expedited Flatbed work.And also uses Cargo Vans. Thats all I Know I never spoke to any one from there.

Owner/Operator since 1979
Expediter since 1997
B Unit
Somedays are Diamonds and Somedays are Stones

x06col · Jun 26, 2005

We have been using curtainside equipment on heavy straight trucks for a couple years now. Frankly, it is the best of both worlds van/flat. We specialize in difficult, space limited moves. Not for most cowboys that don't like to work. As was typed in an earlier reply, you gotta be better than the others, be extreemly flexable, resourceful, and a problem solver. Anyone want to talk about it, my number is still on this thread.

BigBusBob · Jul 7, 2005

There's a flatbed expediter photo on the photo gallery, I remembered seein' it, had to go search it down again... it's on page 7 of the class 7 truck gallery. Looks to be a Landstar rig.

rollingstock · Jul 8, 2005

I ran skates out of OK in 2000. I ran from TX/MEX border to MI/CAN border with many stops from IL (Chicago) and TX (Houston/Dallas). I must tell you that flat bed is work and you will need to masted load securement. It is very critical because the load can easily crash forward and crush the cab like an aluminum can (you can imagine what would happen to the occupant). Tarping in heat, cold, rain etc. is mandatory.

Good luck

Bob

kwexpress · Jul 8, 2005

KW Express
o/o till i die

I have found its alot less sitting around than the van expedite.
But then again not all the flat stuff needs to be expedite to be good paying freight.

there is alot of different types of freight besides automotive

I just do it as a hobby but I have ran guys who did this for a living and most can gross well over 4k in a week.

I get alot of my stuff off Landstar agents but you can even do ok
at flatbeds just off getload.com

MatsonAmerica out of MN. is a good broker to deal with very fast pay

united am cam always seems to have fair rates and post freight available daily for these types units

if anyone has an old fl-70 sitting around I have a 40' gooseneck thats a 33,000 gvw. its a little to heavy for my one ton but would be perfect for a fl-70 or 80 if I recall the empty weight of the trailer is around 7k

Anyway I have my own authority and would be willing to put up the insurance and supply trialer if someone wants to give it a try. I would pay 80% of gross my rates run around $1.85 to $2.00 per mile
paid within 3 days of receipt via com-check.

you can do this type freight from about anyplace in the country I even get desent rates out of florida

But as others have pointed out there is down sides to it also
some loads will require tarps and all have to be strapped or maybe chains and binders.

And the freight is there year round but I am not sure That I would want to do it in the wintertime. cause I dont like pulling them light weight trailers on icy roads.

Gary and Linda · Jul 10, 2005

Our company, Hot Shot Xpress, out of Calgary, AB does a lot of flat deck expedited. Probably 50% of our freight is deck freight. We use Class 8 trucks with a deck (basically a D unit--either single or tandem) fitted with a receiver hitch to haul a trailer if necessary. The trucks also have removable 5th wheels and can haul 53 ft step decks if required. One of our O/O has a one ton with a walk in sleeper and a 12 ft deck and receiver hitch to pull anything from a 15 ft to a 30 ft flat deck trailer. Also, as a bonus, on a back haul, he can load the deck with freight and hook up to a holiday/horse/cattle trailer trailer.

We don't have any China Tops (soft sided trailers). The simplicity just doesn't justify the expense--tarps are a whole lot cheaper (and a whole lot more work).

The rate is the same as we charge for van freight, and they are pretty busy. If you tarp the load VERY well, you can haul just about anything. We don't do much oil patch work (just too hard on equipment in the bush if you have rigged it out as a highway unit), but you just wouldn't believe how much rush deck freight there is out there. One real bonus is backhauls--there's always something out there you can put on a deck.

Myself, I quit hauling deck freight a couple of years ago, but our guys still hauling it are real happy.

terryandrene · Jul 10, 2005

FedEx Custom Critical had, or still has, at least one flat bed O/O in the Atlanta area who keeps it busy. I don't know if they are interested in any more of them but it never hurts to ask.

davekc · Jul 10, 2005

FedEx Custom Critical had, or still has, at least one flat bed O/O in the Atlanta area who keeps it busy. I don't know if they are interested in any more of them but it never hurts to ask.

You are correct. I think both FedEx and Panther have some flatbeds.
Not sure on Conway?

Davekc

x06col · Jul 10, 2005

Maybe, just maybe there are some of us "others" that do flatbed expedited freight. And, you are right it never hurts to ask. Flatbedding won't work for most, because, that's just exactly what it is - work. Way more work than most want.