Dunnage bulkhead

Not mandatory but a good idea when hauling oil slick steel. I’ve had one customer require a front and rear bulkhead in my years.

 

Some of the stuff we pick up has fork pockets and usaully doesn't need dunnage.If there aren't fork pockets then some dunnage is needed to set it on the trailer.We usaully take 6 or 8 4"x 4" pieces of dunnage when going to pick up shipments,just in case we need it.

 

Some give dunnage but most require you to have it. Also if they give dunnage it’s usually pine and is very soft. It won’t last long and dents easily. You can buy oak dunnage that’s lasts years for $20 at some places. As for dunnage between stacks it’s so a forklift can get in between the product to load and unload. They will tell you or it will be glaringly obvious.

Dunnage on floor of trailer is for the same reason, so a forklift forks can go under. The secondary reason is it protects your deck from damage as an aluminum deck will lose a fight vs steel products.

As for bulkheads there’s no reason you can’t do it if you want on most loads. I see some people build one in the front of the trailer and leave it there. I don’t because most of what I haul is over length and the poles go over the front deck of my trailer 2-3 feet.

I’d also like to add a bulkhead needs to be as close as possible to the product to be effective. If the bulkhead is 10 feet forward it won’t do any good because in the event of an accident or product sliding forward it will have too much momentum for a few 4x4s to stop it.

 

It sounds like you are very new to flatbed. My advice is to always chat with other flatbeders at shippers and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

 

Dunnage like this….?

They loaded me with a crane and used chokers to pick the beams, dunnage between the layers of beams is necessary to remove the lifting straps / chokers. Also necessary when you will be unloaded with a forklift or telehandler….

 

Dunnage barriers aren't required, but I've had them actively keep myself from being a shiskabob. Slick low load of tube steel.