first tike solo load experience

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by petey387, Sep 1, 2014.

  1. petey387

    petey387 Light Load Member

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    Aug 13, 2012
    Houston TX
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    What was your first solo flatbed load and the experience, how do you guys get over the jitters of first time solo and is there a brotherhood in flatbeding ?
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    My first flatbed load was heavy machinery from a closed factory in Nashville going to a refurbishment place in North Carolina near Walterboro. I didn't sweat it, just used common sense on the curves & mountains. Next load was to California; same thing, didn't sweat the program; secured the load and took off.
     
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  4. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    Middle Tennessee
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    Not counting all the junk I hauled around in my early 20s for construction and trash outfits, my first load of coils I hit a deer. Not nervous, just extry careful. Yeah I wasn't gonna swerve or brake hard with them on the deck. Tough nuggies Bambi!
     
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  5. Nic99

    Nic99 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 17, 2014
    North Carolina
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    "and is there a brotherhood in flatbeding ?" - petey387


    For what I've been reading here on the TTR there certainly seems to be.

    I am hopeful knowing it's the equipment I plan to pursue.

    Good luck and Godspeed.
     
  6. Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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    Columbus, OH
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    Crated glass going from Tulsa, OK to Laredo, TX. Was easy to load and secure since the shipper built the wooden a-frames right on the deck then loaded the crates straight on that. Tarping on the other hand... lawdy that took me two hours or so. Was an interesting trip at the other end as well. :p
     
  7. DrFlush

    DrFlush Road Train Member

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    Mar 22, 2011
    Upstate NY
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    Ceiling tiles, stacked all the way to 13'6". Top heavy load and ya gotta be careful tightening the straps or your will crush the tiles. I was pretty nervous I will admit.
     
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  8. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Aug 24, 2011
    Tampa, Fl
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    I started back in the 80's doing straight truck with a 20' bed and then taking a flatbed tow truck home for the night being on call. Same company, did towing and hauled equipment. So switching from a straight truck to trailer, it wasnt really that different for me.

    The biggest challenge for me was my first time pulling a trailer. Back when I started for $8 or $10 you answered 25 questions and they would give pretty much anyone a Class A Chauffeurs license. Both my straight trucks were Internationals with 5 spds and split rears. Unless I was starting on a hill, I always kept it in high.

    I never complained and always did what was asked of me. The owner looked after me like a son. They had a load set up on a 45' tri axle lowboy with an old Mack pulling it. The driver got a DUI the night before so the owner grabbed me and gave me a 5 minute dissertation on how to shift the Spicer 21 spd. Told me to take it easy and by the time I get back I should have it figured out. He was right,.. all except for downshifting. This was the old dial setup with 3 settings that you twisted on a dial. Took me another 2 weeks before I finally mastered down shifting. Then 2 weeks later I got put in an even older truck with a twin stick 18 spd. Talk about rowing gears. It had the old wedge style brakes too boot.

    So you guys really have it made today compared to how things were not too long ago. They pretty much threw you in over your head back then. Sink or swim,.. your choice.

    Hurst
     
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  9. Cetane+

    Cetane+ Road Train Member

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    Sep 29, 2013
    Albany, NY
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    Im still paddlin brother!

    The more paranoid you are, the better you will pay attention.
     
  10. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    Sep 4, 2012
    NOLA
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    First load was a trailer loaded front to back with granite grave markers and headstones. Took hours to secure because of all of the different sized pieces and the devil may care way it was loaded. Was 100% sure stuff would fall off. Delivered to 11 different cemeteries. Seriously tight backing. To top it off it was the first time I had ever driven a long nose Pete and a 53' spread axle trailer. I lost an antenna to some trees that jumped out of nowhere and attacked me.
     
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  11. dirtyrabbit

    dirtyrabbit Medium Load Member

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    Jun 19, 2011
    KS
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    Fence Product outta Wichita to Denver. Zero problems except I had no idea how to do a log book. It was all fun till the gal in the office pulled me in a couple weeks later.

    As for the brotherhood, it's what you make of it! YOu get out and help others it will come around back to you. I will always help the guy in front of me, and then if he hangs around I'll tell him to hit the road. The guy behind always get the shaft, but that's just me. And I've been the last guy many times too! That's just how I look at it. Now you sit in the truck while others are working in front of you others will notice and leave you to your own self.

    Good Luck Driver!
     
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