Pipe and Steel hauler
My husband drives a flatbed truck and trailer
here in Phoenix Arizona. I've had the chance to watch him in action and you would be AMAZED how difficult this job can really be. They load the trailers with help from machines at the original jobsite, Once one pipe is loaded they have to position wood blocks behind the pipe so the pipe does not roll then same thing on the front side of the next pipe to come this is repeated over and over again until the trailer is full. Then you have to strap or chain (which ever the case may be) the load down with one strap per every 10 feet. When it comes to unloading they have specialty designed trailers that make it somewhat easier to roll these HUGE cement pipes off the trailer, It has forks at the end. What you do is remove your load straps or chains which ever the case may be, remove your wood blocking and PUSH! once the pipe hits the forks on the back of the trailer the hydralics kick in and lower the pipe to the ground at this point you have to push the pipe to where it belongs or if the pipe is moving to quickly you have to grab a board and position it inbetween the pipe that is already on the ground so the newly off loaded pipe does not hit and cause the pipes to break. There are also times the pipes get hung up on the trailer when this happens you have to push the pipes off by yourself. Dont forget this is in Phoenix Arizona where temp are known to hit 120 degrees in the summer. With hauling steel you have to get your load on the trailer just right then throw your chains across the steel and make sure you get it on the first try or you have to throw these 50+ pounds of chain all over again not to mention when the chains are coming back down you have to dodge these heavy chains, With steel you have the mess of steel oil, rust, metal shavings. Once your load is tied or chained down you have to climb up on top of the trailer and load (making sure you have good footing so as not to fall) to double check that your load is loaded right, tied down correctly ect. Any truck driver will admit that flatbed is the hardest job there is. At any time you are having to either strap, chain or tarp your load down which can be quite draining on your energy. We think you should choose this dirty job because not only is it dirty but it hard and by the end of the day YOU STINK! I should know I have to smell my husband after he has been out working in 118 degree heat all day.

I signed up just to suggest this very job. Driving a tractor trailer is difficult and dirty at it's best, but driving a flatbed, and especially steel, is VERY dirty. Truck driving is also a necessity for everyone - everything we wear, eat and use every day came to us on a truck.