Flatbed is the segment where craft still matters. Load securement is your responsibility and your signature, tarping is real physical work, and the drivers who are good at it are paid accordingly.
It is not for everyone, and the carriers worth driving for know that. The ones we work with pay for tarps, pay for securement time, and train drivers coming from van rather than dropping them at a steel mill to figure it out.
What the work involves
You'll strap, chain and tarp loads in whatever weather the day brings. A steel coil, a bundle of lumber and a piece of machinery each secure differently, and getting it wrong is both a safety issue and a DOT violation. Expect to be on and off the deck several times a day.
The upside is variety and autonomy. Flatbed freight moves to mills, yards and job sites rather than distribution centres, and there's far less sitting at a dock waiting on a door.
Pay, tarp pay and accessorials
Flatbed rates per mile generally run above dry van. Just as important is the accessorial structure: tarp pay per load, securement or load-time pay, and stop pay. On a tarp-heavy account those extras are a meaningful share of the week, and carriers differ widely in whether they pay them at all.
When you compare two flatbed offers, compare the tarp pay and the load-time pay alongside the rate. That is where the real difference usually is.
Coming to flatbed from van
Plenty of carriers will take an experienced van driver into flatbed and train the securement side, usually a week or two with a trainer plus a securement course. If you're fit, don't mind weather, and want a raise without going to a specialised endorsement, it's one of the better moves available.
Tell us on the application if you're van-experienced and flatbed-curious — we'll point you at the carriers that actually train rather than the ones that require two years of open-deck history.
What you need to get started
- CDL-A
- Physically able to tarp, strap and chain loads
- Flatbed experience preferred; several carriers train from van
- DOT physical and medical card in date
- Own PPE and securement gear on some accounts
Get paid for the harder work.
Experienced on open deck, or coming from van and willing to learn? Either way, tell us and we'll match the right carrier.
Common questions
Do flatbed drivers earn more than dry van drivers?
Generally yes, both in the rate per mile and through accessorials like tarp pay and securement pay. The work is more physical and requires more skill, which is what the premium is for.
Can I switch from dry van to flatbed?
Yes. A number of carriers train experienced van drivers into open deck with a trainer and a securement course. It is one of the more common ways drivers raise their income without a new endorsement.
What is tarp pay?
An additional payment per load that requires tarping, on top of the mileage rate. Amounts vary by carrier, and some pay nothing at all — worth confirming before you accept a seat.
Do I need my own straps and chains?
Most carriers supply securement equipment, but some expect you to provide PPE and certain items. Ask specifically, since the cost adds up.