New to Flatbedding

stupid computers

 

A constant running reefer does not bother me either, its the ones that startup and shutdown every 5 minutes that drive me crazy,

And dont get me staryed with those trucks that have the air dryer pop-off every 5 minutes DRIVES ME INSANE!!!!

 

I pull flatbed super b's and can back up into that last spot between a pair of vans that I've seen vans pass by. It just takes practice. It is a bit of a piss off to find all the pull thru spots full of bobtails or single trailers when lots of back in spots are empty. If your too tired to back in a spot...you should have stopped long ago.

As for flatbed advice...biggest one I've always stressed is you can never get in trouble for too many straps/chains etc, but you sure as hell can for not enough, always make sure YOU are comfortable with how everything is secured don't worry about weather your coworkers or other drivers think that's too many. Remember its your ### infront of that load not theirs. If your traveling between different states or provinces make sure your load meets the requirements of each jurisdiction, as they are not all the same. DOT won't care if your load securement or weights are legal for where you just came from only if it's legal where you are.

 

Sometimes? Hell everywhere I go there is always some tough place you have to back into. Sometimes just pulling forward into them is hard enough! I thought going to flatbedding would at least eliminate complicated backing until I learned otherwise! I think it's fun but nerve wrecking to get into tight spots.

Anyone who can back a spread axle flatbed can back up anything.

 

Have only been pullin flats for 4 months now and love most of it. Was hauling reefers. Kinda miss that thing singing me to sleep at night. Now I have a fan in the cab for soft noise.

Have TriPac so do not have to idle at all

 

Some type of APU is next on my list after I catch up some bills lol

 

LOL, I didn't want to get comments or start a pissing match about backing, but trust me, I'm there with ya! I'm still trying to figure out how to post the vid of me delivering in Virgin,UT back in Aug. It was a 6,000ft mtn I had to go up to drop, the road was exactly 8ft wide in some places on the side of a mtn. There was 2 van drivers there with their axles slid all the way up and was still scared to go. So when i got there I led the way to prove it can be done! I won't lie though, I nawrled a gaint hole in the seat on the way up, coming down was iffy too cause it was gravel in spots and you know how empty trucks on gravel feel, esp on a 12% grade

 

I was in Erie Pa last week and there is a row that needs to blind side in over by the truck wash. I laughed when I saw that out of about 12 trucks only one was a box. All the other boxes were out in the middle drive thrus or right side back ins. So much for flatbedders not backing in at truck stops.

 

I am a student coming out of School and started with PGT after one week in the truck I am so overwelmed it is not funny. I am not a bad driver as I have driven Tri Axle and shifting and heavy loads are not the problem, it is this wonderful world of flatbedding, a whole differnt thing than I even imagined. They want you to test out and and get your own truck in 4 weeks and I told my trainer it is impossible to do that and do it safely, and the kicker is I will be hauling coils and we hauled one load of coils so far and we are hauling gas pipe for Marcellis Shale no chains no tarping so the first week I didn't learn ####, he wants to run and make money and train me when he gets time I am a $250 a week bonus for him. This is freaking nuts and I can see a set up for failure. I have been around constructuion and worked as a mechanic and I know how #### can happen fast, I think you need to drive for a couple of years Van before you can learn Flatbed, it drives different and learning securement as I can see takes time and experince, coming out of School you have to learn how to drive do logs and the Satelite learn the common things of the Trucking Industy and now SECURMENT what a nightmare, think I made a big mistake, Oh and by the way my trainer told me if I am around training for more than 6 weeks they will cut me loose I figure better that than me killing someone else or myself. Any advice would be helpful.

 

Sometimes you need to just jump in and learn to swim. I think you have a confidence problem. If your trainer thinks that you are ready to be cut loose then you are probably doing better than you think. If you are not comfortable going it alone then you could find another carrier. I would make notes about how to properly secure a load. Look at how other flat bed drivers secure their loads. Most flat bed drivers are more than willing to offer advice. Don't be afraid to ask the shipper how to best secure their load. Get a copy of the fmcsa handbook and read over the section on securement. You could also go to the fmcsa website and read the securement section. Print it out if you think that it will help. There are some carriers who print information sheets on how to secure steel, etc., You should be familiar with the working load limit of your equipment. One important thing to keep in mind is that you can never have too much securement. If you have any doubts about how well your load is secured then add another chain or strap. You will gain confidence with time.