Driving flatbed

really watch your turns and dont turn to tight like with a van. just make sure you dont flip it over making a u turn or a turn too tight

 

Be prepared to sit in line to load and unload.

 

Coming from hauling tankers to flatbed isn't that big of a difference. You are already used to being careful with your cargo, taking turns slower and not banging gears. The biggest adjustment will be getting used to seeing the cargo and worrying about securement. It just takes common sense and some clever thinking sometimes. Proper securement is the #1 thing with flatbed operations. Do it right and the rest is a cakewalk.

 

I read your other post about how you can't handle
hard work. Trust me pulling a flatbed is not easy work. You might want to go drive a school bus or a taxi cab good buddy.

 

Having come from a flatbed background to pulling a tanker myself (although i pull dry bulk), for myself there was little that was different. I would assume going from liquid tanks to flatbed would be av pretty easy transition. But flatbedding is definately more physically demanding.....

 

SHC hit the nail on the head, take your time and you'll be fine

 

The first crisis in flatbedding starts when the shipper asks you, "Where do you want it/How do you want it loaded?" Uh-oh. Most flats have a spread and if the trailer is over 48 ft, you potentially run into troubles with bridge laws. Why cant trucking ever be easy?

I remember when spreads were new. Another driver told me that the difference was that I could put 40000 lbs on the rear of the trailer. So, I loaded a 40000lb coil on the rear of the trailer and got an award at the first scale I came to. "But The coil is only 40000lbs...why do I get a ticket?"

 

Ya have to pay attention! Flatbedding is a dangerous business. Especially pipe loads as pipe comes off a trailer like a waterfall if something goes wrong! Get your bearded friend to line you out good before you haul any pipe. Also remember,,,you can't out-run pipe rolling off the trailer. The only safe place to go is under the trailer. Just drop and roll. The tires on the truck/trailer will keep the pipe from chasing you. Always remove the center chains 1st, so that when you remove the end chains, you will be standing close to the end of the pipe & not the center of it. If yer delivering to a rig, find out which end they want the collars on. (are you gonna drive in face 1st, or back in beside the racks? Are they gonna unload it or are you? The rig can only p/u pipe off the racks when the collars are close to the rig.) There's alot to know and anyone needs some OJT so don't be affraid to ask for help.

Pay attention!