Not New driver, but new flat bed driver

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Im4thgen021410, Oct 3, 2013.

  1. Im4thgen021410

    Im4thgen021410 Bobtail Member

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    Hello, I have a question to the flatbed drivers. I am about to start at F and S on monday. I started thinking about what I would need to bring. Thinking back to my otr time, and the approaching winter. With a whole new aspect of now securing your own euipment my list of needs I am sure are different. What are things that I need to bring with me exclusive to flat bedding. I thought of a few extra pairs of gloves ( not just one or two ). Good Solid rain gear and good boots. What else. Thanks
     
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  3. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Hoodie sweatshirt (keeps the wind off your neck). It's lighter and allows you to move better than a coat
    A pair of insulated gloves. And a regular pair of gloves.
    A toboggan. If you're gong to lose body heat, you're going to lose it through your head.
    insulated boots. Odds are you will be standing in snow and ice. Regular boots will wrk for a while but if you are outside for an extended period of time, they will fail you. And it's difficult to drive if you can't feel your feet anymore.
    A heavy work coat, for when it's extremely cold outside
    A small crowbar, and a big hammer.

    And when you get issued your truck, go to Home Depot and get a ladder. Used to be a time where most flatbedders were injured by snap binders. Now, most of them are injured by falling off the load.

    Luck in battle.
     
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  4. Im4thgen021410

    Im4thgen021410 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you sir, I glad hoodies are recommended, I own about 30. and what size latter would you say? 15ft?
     
  5. jxu417

    jxu417 Road Train Member

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    no! a 4' or 6' ladder MAX. You wouldn't be able to stow a 15' ladder anywhere. And no (normal) flatbed load is going to be that tall or you'd be too tall.
     
  6. Im4thgen021410

    Im4thgen021410 Bobtail Member

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    Sry the 1 was not supposed to be there.
     
  7. BrenYoda883

    BrenYoda883 Road Train Member

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    I took coveralls with me.. you can and will get dirty.. so, I had some coveralls I would wear to keep myself, clothes and inside of the truck as possible, also always carried baby wipes for a quick clean up...
     
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  8. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    There are ladders that are much smaller and easier to stow that will extent out over 10'. Harbor Freight has one that is probably no more than 4' when retracted. I am sure that some of the home improvement stores also have similar ladders. Steel toe boots are mandatory. I would also recommend you have a lighter weight jacket, such as a wind breaker. Sometimes, you don't really need much to keep warm when you are working with chains, straps and tarps. I keep Windex in the truck and a couple of rolls of paper towels. It helps to clean up after tarping until you can find a shower. A couple of other things you may want to pick up is a hard hat and safety glasses. Some carriers may furnish these, but many shippers and receivers require them. Some will give or lend you the safety glasses. Make sure you have long pants, such as jeans. Long sleeve shirts are also required by many shippers who use flats.
     
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  9. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Get one of those Little Giant type folding ladders. You can get a decent knock off for a little over $100. You will want one that is tall enough to get up on a 13'6" load.

    I would never be without one again.
     
  10. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Carefull with the ladder usage. A tall load won't be over about 8' from the deck of the trailer, depending on deck height. I don't recommend climbing your ladder from the pavement to the top of the load. I always placed my ladder on the catwalk, bracing the feet, then you aren't climbing more than 8' (approximately) to get to the top of your load. Be careful also about tying down and tarping by yourself, for instance, outside the gate of the shipper at 6pm when they close. There were many times I prayed I didn't fall off the top, because no one would find me until next morning when they opened. Use any facility the shipper has to access your load to tarp.
     
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  11. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    If you use ratchet type binders, a small oil can (that doesn't leak) for those sticky or rusty ratchets.

    A few HD garbage bags for when your straps are all iced over. Put them in the bag and put the bag in the dog house (or preferably in front of the passenger seat) and hopefully they will be thawed out before you get to your next pickup. If you plan ahead, and you normally stow your bungies bundled up under the trailer frame as some do, and you know you're going to be traveling on ice-covered roads to your next tarped pickup, you may take them out from under the trailer, and store them in the bag or in a side box until things warm up. Bungies work better kept semi warm before using, rather then frozen at 5 degrees F

    A 3 foot piece of 1.5 inch pipe
     
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