flatbed + lumber

I use to haul lumber it was pretty good.... Most of the loads going to the US were nice even loads... Close to the rub-rails and flat at the top for the most part... Those are always nice loads... The tarps can be a bit of a PITA in the winter time due to freezing like many of said.... They are heavy suckers too because they are for wood 8' drops.. Forklifts usually lift them to the top of the load.. Not hard to roll up for storage...

If you have a tarp system like the curtain sides then you'd be laughing.... Actually any type of tarp system will make your lift much easier then having a roll out tarp...

Just remember the winter for flatbedding SUCKS!!!! It's cold, tarps frozen, straps frozen, your frozen.. You get the point I am sure.. haha

I'd weight out your options and then make a choice.. Don't worry about the job because lumber loads are usually the easier ones to straps..... Just look at the employment options, home time, benefits?, wage, travel time to work etc....

Good Luck

 

Curtain side sure beats rolling out the tarps. Lumber is a nice load but can get away from you if you don't have the dunnage right and have the straps tight enough to put a bend in the bundle. Some boards will walk out of the center of a bundle if not secured real tight.

 

Oh the joys of winter flat bedding. Slick deck,bud bar can bite you,frozen gear,ect. MOST important thing in hauling lumber........easy on the corners! Certain loads you will want to gut wrap and get those straps tight enough to sing when you tap them. As for that 4 letter word Tarp there not that bad once you learn how. Watch some of the Vets how they tarp the ends of the loads,the flaps go certain ways. Have fun.

 

As far as the trailer is it a spread axle or tandems? Weight distubution is key with flats and a spread makes it a heck of a lot easier.