Flatbed Owner-Operator Jobs

Flatbed owner-operator jobs are business opportunities for independent truck owners who haul open-deck freight using their own or leased qualifying equipment. Flatbed freight can include machinery, steel, construction materials, vehicles, and other loads that may not fit efficiently inside an enclosed trailer.

Unlike a company driver, an owner-operator runs their own trucking business and is responsible for decisions involving equipment, operating expenses, scheduling, and freight. Owner-operators who lease their equipment to Landstar operate as independent contractors.

Qualified owner-operators can review available freight and decide which loads fit their operation under the non-forced dispatch model. Explore Flatbed Available Loads or review the Owner-Operator Requirements to see what may be required.

Many carriers lease on flatbed owner-operators. When comparing them, look at how you’re paid (percentage of revenue or per mile), whether you can choose your own loads, trailer options, freight volume of your lanes, and what support you get. 

Landstar uses a percentage-pay, non-forced dispatch model, so you review available freight and decide on what to haul. See how owner-operator pay works or compare driving opportunities. 

Flatbed trucking pay varies by the load, lane, mileage, freight, equipment requirements, market conditions, and any additional work needed to transport the shipment. Loads involving tarping, specialized securement, multiple stops, oversized freight, or specialized equipment can have different compensation than more straightforward flatbed freight.

For an owner-operator, it is important to separate load revenue from take-home business income. A higher-paying load may also involve additional miles, deadhead, fuel, equipment, time, or operating expenses.

Qualified owner-operators can review available freight information before deciding whether a load fits their business. Learn more on the Flatbed Available Loads page and review the broader Owner-Operator Pay and Earnings guide for compensation and settlement information. To see what a rate means for your truck, calculate your cost per mile.

Flatbed owner-operator earnings vary based on the freight hauled, rates, loaded miles, deadhead, equipment, operating costs, and how the owner-operator runs the business. There is no single income figure that applies to every flatbed owner-operator.

Gross revenue is only part of the picture. Fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, trailer costs, securement equipment, tarps, tolls, permits, taxes, and other expenses affect what remains as business income.

Review the Owner-Operator Pay and Earnings guide for compensation and settlement information. You can also see how freight details are evaluated on the Flatbed Available Loads page.

Flatbed experience requirements depend on the current qualification standards and the type of freight or equipment involved. Flatbed work can require skills that aren’t typically part of dry van operations, including load securement, tarping, weight distribution, and working with open-deck freight.

Do not assume that a training option automatically replaces an experience requirement. Review the current Owner-Operator Requirements and contact Secrest Direct if you need help determining what experience must be confirmed before applying.

Becoming a flatbed owner-operator starts with having the required commercial driving qualifications, appropriate experience, and qualifying tractor and equipment for the type of flatbed freight you plan to haul. You also need to understand load securement, equipment requirements, operating costs, and the business responsibilities that come with being an independent owner-operator.

Qualification may include review of your CDL, driving and safety history, experience, tractor specifications, insurance, and other current requirements. Flatbed experience and equipment requirements can vary, so do not assume one path applies to every applicant.

Start by reviewing the Owner-Operator Requirements and Flatbed Lease Options. When you’re ready to continue, see the Owner-Operator Application Process.

A flatbed owner-operator transports open-deck freight while also managing the responsibilities of an independent trucking business. The driving work can include inspecting freight, securing loads with the appropriate chains, straps, binders, edge protection or other equipment, tarping when required, monitoring the load during transit, and safely delivering it to the customer.

The business side matters too. Owner-operators evaluate freight, routes, rates, deadhead, fuel, maintenance, equipment costs, and scheduling when deciding which loads make sense for their operation.

See examples of freight and load information on the Flatbed Available Loads page, or learn how freight can be searched using the Owner-Operator Load Board.

You need a qualifying tractor that passes a Level One DOT inspection and works with an ELD, plus the securement equipment your freight requires: straps, chains, binders, edge protection, and tarps. The exact gear depends on what you haul. 

Before buying anything, request an equipment review so Secrest Direct can help you confirm what applies. Also see tie-down inspection tips. 

Not necessarily. Trailer arrangements vary, and owner-operators without a trailer may be able to use a Landstar trailer. Owning your own trailer can change your compensation and your costs, so compare both. 

Review flatbed lease options and how pay works. 

Yes. The path is open to small fleet owners as well as single-truck owner-operators. Each tractor and driver must meet current requirements. Tell us how many trucks you run in the information request form, and Secrest Direct can explain current fleet details.