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A different perspective

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Toolmaker96, Apr 3, 2021.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Apr 3, 2021 #1
    Toolmaker96

    Toolmaker96 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 9, 2018
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    Hey guys, I have been lurking on your sight for a couple of years.
    Not a truck driver, but rather the owner of a small Tool & Die shop in Northern Nevada.

    While we are a small company, our tooling can way in excess of 20k. As a result we are dealing with flatbeds on a fairly regular basis.

    I have to say I appreciate almost without fail the professionalism shown by flatbedders who come in and out of our facility.

    Anyway, as the owner of a business who is moving his own product via flatbed I thought I might be able to offer some insight from a different perspective.
    For instance, I am almost positive that my conversation with the broker, is quite different than yours.
     
    Toolmaker96, Apr 3, 2021
    Toolmaker96, Apr 3, 2021
    #1
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  3. Apr 3, 2021 #2
    Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    Eastern Iowa
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    Thank you, well said. There isn't much room for sloppiness when pulling a flatbed. We still have some knuckleheads out there, just check out the flatbed hall of shame.
    The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

    When you put your product on a flatbed, it gets put on display for all to see when it goes down the road. But it's also the driver's work (his load securement) that gets put on display, so the good drivers will always keep that in mind on every load.
     
    Kyle G., Apr 3, 2021
    Kyle G., Apr 3, 2021
    #2
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  4. Apr 3, 2021 #3
    Toolmaker96

    Toolmaker96 Bobtail Member

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    Ohh we have had a few knuckleheads thru over the years.
    My favorite is the one that shows up to load a tool that is worth what a 3 bedroom house is. Shows up with torn tarps, proceeds to tarp like we are actually going to let them leave when u. An see steel thru the holes in the tarp.

    My favorite one fairly recently, Broker sends a hot shot to pickup a 17,000 lbs mood that only takes 5-6ft or deck space.
    Told us he was sure he wanted us to load him. #### near buckled the trailer before we even had full weight on the deck.
    Needless to say, we had to find a different truck
     
    Toolmaker96, Apr 3, 2021
    Toolmaker96, Apr 3, 2021
    #3
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  5. Apr 3, 2021 #4
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
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    I love hauling tooling. Normally people are waiting for you on each end. I have one customer that uses me and then cries, and I don't hear from them for a year. Then call in a pinch. I have offered to handle all of it for them. They cry because they call at 6pm and need it moved over night. Telling me another co. does it for half price. Said company has had 3 tools fall off of trailers. No English speaking drivers with straps only. One the state patrol had to chase down. He didn't know he lost a 33k tool in the middle of a 6 lane interstate. No one was hurt. Fell off drivers side thru a conestoga.


    I'm too expensive.
     
    jamespmack, Apr 3, 2021
    jamespmack, Apr 3, 2021
    #4
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  7. Apr 5, 2021 #5
    Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    Just south of the north 40
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    One of the reasons I don’t do that type of work anymore is the word “Broker” and companies that are not willing to pay for quality transportation.
     
    Espressolane, Apr 5, 2021
    Espressolane, Apr 5, 2021
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  8. Apr 5, 2021 #6
    Toolmaker96

    Toolmaker96 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 9, 2018
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    Problem is trying to get connected with owner ops & or companies that specialize in flatbed, high value freight. I have a couple owner ops contact info, but without fail they are on the other side of the country when we have a move.

    As for dealing direct with flatbed companies, half the time they just want to farm it out, rather than put it on one of their trucks.

    So as a result, yes we wind up moving through brokers more than I would like.
    Believe me, I would like nothing more than to cut out the middle man & be able to give that additional $ to a professional operation running good equipment.
     
    Toolmaker96, Apr 5, 2021
    Toolmaker96, Apr 5, 2021
    #6
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  9. Apr 5, 2021 #7
    Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    Nov 21, 2009
    Just south of the north 40
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    Here is something to consider. Your company usually has a schedule for each stage of the fabrication. It is a known date range for when it needs to transport.
    So the question is, when are you contacting the people to set up transportation?
     
    Espressolane, Apr 5, 2021
    Espressolane, Apr 5, 2021
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  10. Apr 5, 2021 #8
    Toolmaker96

    Toolmaker96 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 9, 2018
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    We generally start looking 3-5 days in advance, just putting out feelers as to availability. However, we normally do not commit until everything is crated & ready to go
     
    Toolmaker96, Apr 5, 2021
    Toolmaker96, Apr 5, 2021
    #8
    singlescrewshaker, OLDSKOOLERnWV and cke Thank this.
  11. Apr 5, 2021 #9
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

    19,148
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    Mar 25, 2014
    OH
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    Send it exclusive in contract to said trucking company. That it is not allowed to be transported on any other equipment other than contracted company. Failure to do so will null and void payment agreement. Shippers and brokers tell carriers this all the time. Dont allow them to broker it. This would be your best protection in a insurance claim too.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
    jamespmack, Apr 5, 2021
    jamespmack, Apr 5, 2021
    #9
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  12. Apr 5, 2021 #10
    PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

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    We do it all the time with some customers who are very particular as to who hauls their freight. We have some that even ask for specific drivers, because they know their freight will be taken care of.
     
    PoleCrusher, Apr 5, 2021
    PoleCrusher, Apr 5, 2021
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