Flatbed

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Travis05Lock, Jun 23, 2021.

  1. Travis05Lock

    Travis05Lock Bobtail Member

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    I am thinking about doing flatbed. And I'm thinking about going with TMC. But I'm wondering about how high do you go when you are securing or tarping your load? And does a company like TMC teach you on safety tips and steps on doing stuff like that?
     
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  3. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Tmc will do the trick if you want to learn flatbedding "by the book"

    It wont teach you much of the situational weird stuff, but coming out of there if you cant size up almost any non specialized load and secure and haul it, you werent paying attention

    Also, youll learn to tarp, and have plenty of practice, dont worry about that :p

    (Usual max height is 13'6" tarping say hay or insulation. Theres a lot of right ways to do it and as many wrong ways, but many are situational and dependent on the individual)
     
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  4. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Plenty of skate boarders here to give you info. Just wait a bit.
     
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  5. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    TMC must have a special class on just securing a tarp. Honestly, most of the TMC's I see have the tightest tarps when I pass them (most, not all)...there are a lot of so-called flatbedders at non-mega companies that could learn a thing or two from them about what a bungie cord is, and how to use the right number of them to secure a tarp so that it isn't waving like a flag going down the road.
     
  6. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    They do, every load in their securement training bay is required to be tarped as well.

    Large coil
    Slinkies
    Cold rolled rod
    Plywood
    Couple others i dont remember

    Then out with a trainer for 4 or 5 weeks as well and they try and make sure you get at least one or two of their most common loads on the road during that time as well.

    Load didnt NEED a tarp, but i didnt like how the small buckets were only plastic wrapped. (Probably one of the only loads ive strapped over my tarps in 7 years (excluding insulation and hay)

    20210615_130755.jpg 20210615_142522.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2021
  7. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Is it true a lot of places don’t want you on top of the load while tarping or securing ?

    Asking for a friend…..
     
  8. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Nope, they prefer it, even want you to drive by wire from up there so you can see low bridges :p
     
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  9. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Yes tmc will show u how to flatbed safely. They do a lot of things that are really not needed but is the extra safe way to do it. Like throwing cross straps on the front of a shingle load ... But it is good to learn how to do stuff safely. Tarping a high load is always sketchy no mattet how many times u do it.. The main thing is u want to eliminate how much time u spend up on top of the load , to as little as possible.... Take it from someone that has fallin off the deck twice .
     
  10. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    TMC will also teach you to run at 62-63MPH until a truck tries to pass you at 65, and then speed up when they are next to you to block them.
     
  11. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    @Travis05Lock ...We'll move this thread to the flatbed section. You've had some good advice so far but I'm sure other guys will add to it.
     
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