Making the jump to Flatbed and have Questions

The best advise i can give is take your time and don't be afraid to ask the guy loading to change thing on the load to make it safer, i allways discuss the load first with the forklift operator to make sure he knows how i want it loaded.

 

Claw hammer for the nails that get pounded into the deck!
There is no such thing as a dumb question about loading anything!

 

With CSA2010 or I guess at this point CSA2011 since they delayed it...just around the corner we will be under the microscope for sure when it comes to cargo securement.

393.100 begins the criteria for load securement in the FMCSR. It is always a good idea to double check yourself against that.

I've always stopped to double check my load about every 3 hrs or every 150 miles or so just to make sure everything is still tight!

 

Haha, absolutely! I think hand tarps should only be able to be be viewed in a museum along with cabovers and spring suspensions! Soon to be followed by side kits and sliding tandems.

 

As an o/o getting ready to buy and get into the flatbed side, what list of equipment will i need as far as securement items and tarps to cover most loads. Help is much appreciated.

 

12 4 inch straps
2 2 inch straps
8-10 chains and binders (20' chains)
2 lumber tarps (8' drops)
2 steel tarps (4' drops)
At least 24 edge protectors...a few more never hurts
8-10 8' foot timbers (beveled if you're gonna haul coils)...4 footers are handy sometimes, I have 6...but I rarely use them.
8-10 coil racks (if you're gonna haul coils)
12 coil pads (again...if you're gonna haul coils)
12 steel edge protectors...rubberized if you gonna haul aluminum coils
50-100 bungees

And something to use to prevent your tarps from getting torn up on sharp corners (rubber floor mats work good)

That should get you started...

 

Thanks ridgerunner, just curious though whats the 2- 2 in. straps for,and do you need friction mats for anything?

 

2 inch straps are just handy to have when you need them...more so with certain types of trailers (winches won't go where you need them)

Friction mats...YES, I thought of them, but didn't add them up there. They also serve as tarp protectors and are required by many places for hauling skidded aluminum coils.

 

Don't forget the portable winches. There cheaper than the 2" strap set up. Not to mention the rating on the 2" straps are less.