Learning experiences with Flatbedding

there are times you still need to back into places,and occasional docks,like when loading tractors,tarping would probably the hardest thing getting used to,until you figure out what your doing

 

While I'd agree that tarping blows, tying stuff down so it's secure would be the big one in my book. and yes, there are a lot of places you have to back into.

 

The tarping is the stuffest part of it, when the wind is blowin like crazy. There is a myth that flatbeders don't have to back up, thats just what that is, a myth. There will be lots of times you'll have to back up. I loaded out of two different USG's plants and had to back into a building. It's like backing into a black hole. Get yourself set up right and go slow, you'll be okay. Some docks are level with the bed and some aren't. For the ones that aren't they have tarppin stations. One more thing, flatbeds don't have walls! make sure your load is tied down and mind the curves!

 

I started out pulling reefer. The main thing I had to get used to was climbing up and down the trailer. Theres a technique to tarping...once you figure it out, tarping isn't hard at all.

 

It may not be complicated, but sure is the most psychical part of the job!

 

I'm delivering to a lot of jobsites, where they need me to back against a crane, or around random other crap they strategically place in my way... I pulled van OTR for a year and a half before doing this, so bumping docks definitely helped me. Didn't help with the physical part though, as dirtyrabbit mentioned...

 

Flat Bedders call it "gift wrapping". a 24' tarp weights about 80 lbs. X 2 on a flat bed, lots of work. Save your back, don't be a Macho Man like me. Get the fork lift operator to lift them up for you. If he won't go ask his boss. My back is shot after years of being foolish.

 

I'm lucky that what I haul doesn't require tarping, however, when I have to break out the 1/2" chain, I'm still feeling it pretty good the next day...

 

Ya, backing into/out of job sites more then makes up for all the places you simply pull up to a crane and have stuff pulled off your deck. The ultimate is when the crane that unloads you has to lift up your trailer to get you out of the place they unloaded you. Had that happen in Baltimore once at a college I delivered steam pipe to. Fun fun fun.