6 ft 135 lbs. Flatbedding....

Just make sure you have a long-enough winch-bar to torque on the straps properly.

One of the guys who taught me a lot about driving (he, and I now, do heavy haul/ oversize) is not what you would consider a stout looking individual. He isn't whispy, but, he isn't bulky, either. The company at which he drives he handles most of the big moves, PC600 Komatsu's, 750 Hitachi's, 637 CAT scrapers, D10 and D11 CAT dozers, etc. He has to be able to drag around 1/2-inch 5/8s chains and bingers, large pieces of cribbing, etc.

The short answer is, no, being a tall, thinner guy doesn't mean you can't do flatbed work. You just have to be smart about how you apply yourself to the work. Don't work hard, work smart.

 

Better than being 5'8" and 320!

If you are in good shape and can lift a hundred pounds or more (tarp weights) you should be fine.

Of course this info is coming from a Refr driver...

Mikeeee

 

You'll be fine, lifting tarps and things is mostly technique anyway.

 

When I started flatbedding I was 5'11" and 135. It worked out ok. Now I am still 5'11" but am 225. Is harder than it used to be. Course that could be age. You'll do fine. Beats closing doors.

 

Biggest challenge will be getting the tarps up high if there's no help around. Tightening the straps and chains is no problem.

 

You should be fine. You don't have to be a Russian weightlifter to secure a load. The tarps are heavy but there are ways to deal with them. If you are that much in doubt shoot for a different avenue in trucking. There are many many different types of driving out there.

 

You could be with a trainer 5 years and never see every load, that's the thing about flatbed, never boring. Ask. Ask the forklift guy, ask other drivers in the yard, rely on the basic principles, you'll be fine.