A Few Flatbed Questions

Hey everyone. Ive been driving a flatbed for a week now and I have some questions.

First of all I love the work. Flatbedding is hard as hell. Strapping and tarping loads out in the hot sun is a real challenge but it gets you out of the truck and gets your heart pumping so its all good.

I did have a few questions though for you more experienced ones out there.

1. What is the easiest thing to use for edge protection? Right now I am using cornerboard (cardboard corners) because they came with the truck. I was thinking that something like 1 foot by 1 foot squares of carpet would be good to use. Light and they could bend to shapes better but im worried about them falling apart.

2. How do you clean up after getting a load? Dust from straps, oil from chain cranks and rust dont really bother me but I hate to go to sleep smelling like sweat. I could wear coveralls to load but that wont help the sweat issue. Just wondering what other flatbedders do. Do yall shower everynight or give yourself a in-truck sponge bath or something? I mean I could change clothes but your body still stinks so it wouldnt really help. I may just have to take a shower everynight and pay for some since I doubt I use enough fuel to get free showers everynight. I like to keep the inside of the truck clean since I spend more time with my truck than I do at home but I am finding it difficult due to the sheer filth of straps, chains, and tarps.

3. Chains or Straps? I prefer working with straps simply because they are lighter and easier to tighten down in my opinion. Plus you dont have to worry about rust and greasy cranks to tighten with. Can I simply use straps all the time or are there some things you must use chains for. I have hauled aluminum coils out of chicago before and we used chains for that. I am just wondering why people use chains instead of straps ever. You could use straps in the same way as chains for coils. Do the straps stretch or something? I just want to avoid chains as much as possible because they are heavy and nasty as hell.

4. Any tips for tarping? I can do it just fine but it seems like it takes me longer than others. I dont know if they have a different technique or I am just being too #### picky. I normally fold my tarps to where I can put them at the front center of the load, and then pretty much unroll them all the way to the back. Once I have it unrolled, I can then unfold the sides and let the tarp fall down each side of the load. Tuck the excess under the load and then use the D rings to strap it down. Tarps are heavy as hell and I wish they made a light weight and durable tarp but anyway... and I cant afford those fancy tarping systems right now.


Im sure I will have more questions down the road. I have hauled dry van and this is my frist time in flatbedding. Like I said, I love the work but I certainly need to learn some tips and tricks to speed things up and to stay a bit cleaner.

 

notarps, I have just completed hauling 4 coils so I am not unexperienced, I was just wondering if straps were possible. I used chains on this past week. I just hate using chains cause they are nasty as hell and heavy to boot.

I do see your point though, they are a lot stronger I am sure. Most of the time I use chains for loads that are very heavy that puts you almost at max weight. I use straps on lighter loads like scaffolding and such.

Its just gonna take me a few weeks to get all the little tips and shortcuts learned. I am sure technique plays a big role in the time it takes to secure and tarp a load.