Exp. Flatbedders!

Who are you CURRENTLY driving for? Baggett Transportation (mainly military loads), Birmingham, Al

Company Driver/Lease/O/O? Owner operator (whole fleet is)

How long have you been flatbedding? Pulled first flatbed load in 1975

What are the PROs/CONs of flatbedding for YOU?

Pros - Freight generally (90% of the time) pays more that van or reefer, no grocery warehouses (11:00 pm to 5 am appointments), freight usually goes on and comes off quickly, no weird appointments means you get to sleep at night, more interesting in my opinion, flatbedders still help each other, oversize load pay, keeps you in better shape physically.
Cons- tarps in the high heat, tarps on real cold days or with heavy or freezing rain

What enticed you to flatbedding then....van/reefer/tanker, etc? I think it is easier work for more pay than van or reefer because of the pros listed above. I have never pulled a tanker but I assume it is more like flatbeds only you have hoses instead of tarps.

Is there a book on how to secure loads, considering everyday could be something different, or is it mainly trial and error within company policies?

Some guidelines in Federal Motor Safety Regulations, some from company guidelines, asking the shipper but mainly: common sense, observing others, asking questions of and learning from the other drivers.

 

Book learning ain't gonna help if you have no natural grasp of physics.
Experience helps but you need an innate sense of how your freight will move in transit and your job is to keep it from moving.

Trial and error? One error can kill a family.


And flatbed freight rates out of AL are in the toilet.

 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/cargo/cargosecurement-16-04.pdf

Link to the FMCSA cargo securement guidelines. Looking into Cypress Truck Lines myself( mostly Flatbedding out of Jacksonville Fl. Also because it's more than vans and reefers. Better pay and regular hometime sounds good.

 

Who are you CURRENTLY driving for? American Transport Inc (part of transport investments)

Company Driver/Lease/O/O? All o/o Must have at least 3 yrs driving and 1 year recent flatbed exp

How long have you been flatbedding? 6 plus yrs

What are the PROs/CONs of flatbedding for YOU? I like the challenge of tying down different loads, better pay, gives you something to do besides close doors on a trailer. Cons, tarping sometimes can be a real drag, frozen tarps or straps, shippers that try to sneak extra pieces and weight on ya, and get used to getting dirty a lot. You will be washing you, clothes and inside of truck a lot.

What enticed you to flatbedding then....van/reefer/tanker, etc?
More money and the challenge
Is there a book on how to secure loads, considering everyday could be something different, or is it mainly trial and error within company policies? You must have experience here and no there is no book except the fmsca rulebook and the voices in my head

 

Some carriers may have their own handbook that shows how to properly secure some loads. CRST Malone used to have several line drawings on how to secure coils. Most flatbed drivers haul a lot of steel. You can get into other types of freight and that can require some common sense. The fmcsa does have basic securement rules, but you will still need to use common sense.

You will be out in all sorts of weather when you pull flats. You can get some exercise and it can be easier to stay in shape with flats or open deck trailers. It can also be easier to get hurt. Drivers can fall off the deck and get seriously injured. Flats often get loaded or unloaded faster than vans or reefers. Most loads require that they be properly secured and tarped by the driver. You will get fairly dirty pulling flats. I prefer open deck trailers, but it isn't for everyone.

 

You can go to most truck stops and pick up a copy of the fmcsa securement handbook. Many flatbed carriers issue a copy during orientation. They make changes on occasion, but it would make some interesting reading. Some basics you need to know are your working load limits and how many chains or straps you will need on a typical load.

Having an aluminum deck requires a little more care than one with wood and steel. Aluminum is lighter, but is much more slick when wet. Pallets can also walk a little on an aluminum deck. I used to throw a rubber mat underneath at least the first pallet to reduce the likelihood of pallets walking on the deck. I don't remember that being in the book, but it is something to keep in mind if you decide to pursue flats.

 

Anyone hauled industrial a/c units where two were stacked? I got a load now where the two back ones are stacked, really don't like that much. I got the bottom unit chained to the deck, got two straps over the top one. Thinkin about adding two cross straps that are snug, but not tightened down. I've got to haul these things from Texas to New York, I want to know that top unit will stay there. Any useful suggestions?

 

Never had them stacked but if you feel better with two more straps, go ahead and throw em on. Just don't bend the top of the unit.

 

Ya, that's what were going to be careful to avoid