Can You Make More Money With a Flatbed vs. Dry Van?

If you’re looking to start a trucking business and become an owner-operator, which is a great way to earn an income, you might be wondering which type of vehicle might make you more money. While there are many different kinds of freight-transporting vehicles, we’ll focus on whether you can make more money with a flatbed or a dry van. Flatbeds and dry vans do differ in some aspects, such as load capacity and cargo they can carry, so it’s important to know what kind of cargo you’ll be transporting and to where. With this in mind, let’s discuss making money with a flatbed vs. dry van.

Earning an Income

Truck driving is becoming a popular career choice due to flexible scheduling, the ability to travel, and the high demand for drivers. However, different products need different modes of transportation. For example, food products and medication need to be transported in reefer trailers, which are built to maintain a specific temperature to maintain the refrigerated products. Larger products like sheds and huge equipment often require the use of low flatbeds. Because of this, different trailer types have different earning potentials based on the kind of cargo they carry. So, let’s see if a flatbed vs. dry van makes more money.

Flatbed vs. Dry Van: Earning Potential

Plainly put, flatbed drivers usually earn more money than dry van drivers. In the flatbed vs. dry van earning potential debate, flatbed drivers earn more money because more work is involved in driving a flatbed and transporting cargo via a flatbed. There are pros and cons to operating flatbeds as well as dry vans, but nevertheless, flatbed drivers do make more money.

Flatbeds

Flatbed driving typically needs more experience securing and managing each load. This is why flatbed drivers are paid more than dry van drivers. Flatbed drivers need to make sure that a load is secure throughout its journeys, and flatbeds can be more difficult to drive and maintain.

Dry Vans

On the other hand, while dry van drivers typically make less money, driving dry vans is easier, depending on the size of the van. Managing the loads is also easier, especially since dry vans contain their cargo, compared to the openness of the flatbed. A good thing in the flatbed vs. dry van debate is that both types of vehicles are available in a range of different dimensions, so you can choose which vehicle is right for you without worrying about differing capacities.

When you’re considering earning an income through trucking, knowing which kind of vehicle you’re interested in helps with finding a vehicle to purchase. Next, let’s go into how and where you can find a dry van or flatbed for sale.

Finding a Dry Van Trailer for Sale Near Me

Finding a dry van to purchase can be as easy as searching “dry van trailer for sale near me.” Under the results for “dry van trailer for sale near me,” local commercial vehicle dealerships should be listed in the results, especially if you have location services enabled for your browser or search engine. As you read through the results of your “dry van trailer for sale near me” search, you can look through dealership reviews and vehicle selections so you can find the right dry van or van trailer for you. As you narrow down possible dealerships, you can call them or visit them in person to ask about specific vehicles and details.

Finding a Flatbed Truck for Sale

The process of finding a flatbed truck for sale is very similar, if not the same, as the process of finding a dry van trailer online. You can start by searching online for “flatbed truck for sale,” and read through the results to see which dealerships are near you that have flatbed trucks readily available. You can also search for flatbed trailers for sale if you’re looking for just the trailer component. As you look for a flatbed truck for sale, be sure to visit a dealership to see what their inventory includes and find out any more details about vehicles you’re interested in. This also might entail you determining the flatbed trailer dimension that is right for your typical cargo load size. 

Determining Flatbed Trailer Dimension

In your search for a flatbed, you’ll want to determine the flatbed trailer dimension that will be ideal for your purposes. Flatbed trailer dimensions can widely vary, as different sizes are better suited for different cargo loads. Different types of flatbeds have different carrying capacities and dimensions, so knowing what kind of cargo you’ll want to transport can help you narrow down the search for a flatbed. When you visit a dealership, you can ask the team if they recommend any specific trailer for your business needs so you can get the right vehicle. An oversized trailer can cost you extra money in gas and upkeep. An oversized trailer can also cost you time and effort as well since you’ll have to manage the extra space and secure your cargo in a flatbed that doesn’t fit it. 

Of course, if you get a trailer or truck that’s too small, your cargo might not fit and can limit what cargo you can transport. Earning an income by driving a flatbed or dry van is a great way to earn money. Truck drivers are in high demand. When you’re deciding on a flatbed or dry van, it’s important to know that there are pros and cons for each type of vehicle and that you should choose the vehicle that will meet your business needs. With the online resources available, you can easily find a flatbed and dry van to drive as soon as possible. Knowing what kind of cargo you intend to transport and knowing which vehicle dimensions you’re looking for will also help you narrow down your search.