Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

So this happened to me today.



A little background.

This particular shipper does trailer cross members for a great number of trailer manufacturers. They work in cooperation with the local steel mill and churn out a whole ton of these things. This is one of my "bread and butter" loads. I do a pickup at least once a week. They turn out at least a dozen trucks a day on a "busy" day.

They have a single loading area and prefer that drivers move out of the way after being loaded so they can start loading the next truck right away. Whether they have strapped down or not (they are actually quite pushy, even for us, and we do the most loads for them). Up until today, I haven't had a single problem moving the truck with this load. Ever (I usually just throw the three belly straps and move it problem free).

Now to describe the load itself. The steel cross members are coated in a black, waxy substance that makes them not require tarping for transport (they are one of the most difficult loads to tarp when they aren't coated). This wax coating, under the right weather conditions (temperatures above 20°C/68°F) turns into what is essentially grease.

It's slippery to walk on and as I found out today in a very humbling experience, the bundles slide around like they are on black ice. Now, I moved the truck a good 100 feet on level ground (and around a corner, including backing) before this happened, not a single issue. Being the courteous professional that I always try to be, I like moving out of the way so I'm never blocking anyone.

So I started turning the trailer onto that gravel lot area beside the concrete driveway. It's inclined downwards towards the concrete... ever so slightly. So little in fact, you really can't even see it unless you get down on the ground and look. But this was enough to start the bundles on their trip off the trailer.

I am glad of two things: 1) I only lost two bundles and 2) no one was around when I was moving the truck and avoided actual catastrophe.

When something like this happens, I get that knotted feeling in my gut that makes me feel terrible. The shipping supervisor tried to reassure me that they've had this happen before, and I won't be the last to have it happen... but that doesn't help. I still feel terrible it happened, even though they will be able to recover pretty much all the product (the only damage was the broken dunnage and a few dented end plates) and told me they aren't even going to bother reporting it to my company (which I did, since I always want to be honest, even if it's a fault).

I've always been insistent on always having at least a single strap on a load before moving it, but this shipper has always pushed me to move, and I've never had an issue so far. Now that I have, I'm not moving until I get at least one strap over each bundle stack. No matter what they say to me or my company. I refuse to let this happen again.

Anyways... I'm glad today is Friday and the week is over.

 

That sucks. I've had the same experience except it didn't fall off but I was moving on uneven ground unstrapped and came out of a turn to see part of my load sticking out and this was lumber.

Hope your company is as cool as the shipper and policies get changed.

 

I already spoke with my dispatcher about it. It's not a problem, and it's not the first time it's happened. They seemed pretty lax about it, all things considered. Which makes me wonder what kind of relationship the company has with the shipper, and how important the contract must be to indirectly encourage drivers to violate our company policy about moving trailers without securement.

 

Well that's good. I think I would just try to figure out a faster more efficient way of getting some straps on it. Seems like the only thing you can do.

 

Sometimes volume > value of freight

 

Wait until Buddy finds out you got his truck stuck.

 

Is This what you meant? Atleast It's what I was thinking!!

 

He said the guy who drives that trucks name is Buddy and he's anal about his truck and the other drivers fight over not driving it.

 

Correct, So what will Mac's coworkers tell Buddy first?

Buddy, we have to tell you, don't get upset now nothing got bent but, well, you see Mac put your truck in the ditch! It was laid over pretty good, but we got it back pretty easily!!

or

Buddy, we have to tell you, don't get upset now nothing got bent but, well, you see Mac put your truck on a soft shoulder, it sunk so far that he ran it outa fuel, we had to pull him out, and bring him fuel....but the truck looks ok.

Either way @macavoy I'm glad all worked out, well I guess we don't know how Buddy is going to handle it yet!!! Anyway, point is you seem to have found a good place, you get to operate different types of equipment, trucks, and trailers. And you get to work in varying areas, (populated deal with traffic, and somewhat rural), Looks like a good mix, helps keep it interesting!

 

I came up on this the other day in Md. I couldnt beleive what I was seeing. I slowed down next to him. I was going to try to get his attention and then figured there was no hope for him as he had his phone to his ear, completely oblivious to the world out side his window.


Hurst