flat vs van for a rookie?

Van. You will do alot more backing in a van than a flat. And you should know how to back a rig up before you get into a truck with a spread axle trailer that doesnt want be jacked around with.

 

Flats require you to actually work....
Strapping, chaining, tarping....and in all sorts of conditions from heat and humidity to ice and snow....

Flats are not for those who are out of shape.....I rarely see overweight Skateborders...
Sorry....I'm not Politically Correct...but "That's the facts" partner....

 

snob

 

Sorry...but I have seen some guys darn near have a coronary tarping or untarping.....I'm in fairly decent shape and it can kick my behind in the the heat....
Skateboarding is not like anything else.....

 

Now you KNOW I was teasing you. sheesh.


I wouldn't do flat bed. I wouldn't do flat bed if I was in my prime. I have no desire to work that hard nor to take the legal risks.

I respect you for doing it but......................ermmmmm I think you're just a weeeeeeeeeeee lil bit crazy for it.

 

I dis-agree with tripple6 here. I say flat. I have hit tighter holes in a flat than I ever did in a box. I back as much as any box puller. As far as the spread backing, well if you start in a flat you will have problems backing a box and vice-versa so that is not a issue, but the key point is if you train in a box and decide to go flat. Guess what? Yep; rookie training all over again. You will need to learn load securement.

You start in a flat and you can go to a van in a bat of an eye. The only thing you will need to learn is how to slide your axles and how to swing doors shut and how to go to bed while you are being loaded and unloaded... Belly on up to the buffet line and waddle away. Because the tarps and chains ain't there to lean you out... Plus all the characters and personalities are pulling flats at least that is what the word on the street is... Not to mention that skate boarders tend to show each other more respect than box pullers do.

 

Got to agree with ya. I've bumped a lot of docks with a skateboard. Actually... there was only a handfull of places I didn't bump a dock.. even if it were side loaded. Had to back into a dock at all the rolling mills I went to, even though they loaded with overhead cranes. Most of the lumber, carbon, and pipe I ran was side loaded without a dock. Traction motors, train wheels, little coils, and most pallet loads were loaded off a dock.

But once you get backing a spread axle down pat, you won't have a problem with anything else. Just remember you can never be over secure on your loads.. no matter what anyone says. Anyone gives you crap about it.. just ask em if they are gonna help you clean it up if it falls off.


BTW Notarps... what have you been up to? I see that largecar.. don't try to hide it...

 

Kind of hard to hide that big ole purple pete... Still dragging a board.

 

Nothing wrong with that.. on either account!