Flatbed gear

I never said my boss hires the smartest drivers...wait...what did I just type

Someone at the truck stop knew who the driver was working for and called the boss.

 

They do it. I've seen guys sell fuel, brand spanking new cases of straps, brand new, never unfolded tarps. I will hear drivers say that they want to buy a couple trucks and put drivers in. I couldn't do it. Even if you give them a nice truck, and pay them a decent wage, some guys will steal from you, go on a 3 week high, forget where he left your truck...etc. I see people complain about the industry all the time. I remember when there wasn't any satellite, no Qualcomm, or any way to trace you. Drivers would sign on, run a week or so, then trash the truck and abandon it. You see people complain about the big companies and how they want to work for one of the smaller companies. Well, it only take ONE driver to sink a small company.

 

I keep looking for those truck stop steals I mean deals...lmao

 

You and me both. I won't buy fuel from a driver, but I will take a new case of ancra/kenedyne straps off their hands for $50 or some new ratchets for a couple bucks.

 

I saw an o/o leased to mawson and mawson one time I bought his cb, switch extensions, 2 boxes of brand new bungees all 15 straps on his flatbed and 2 new 4ft tarps. For filling up his truck halfway.

 

heck years ago I ran into a owner down in Mississippi that bought all new 7/8 chains and binders. got 12 3/8 chains and binders for 75 bucks

 

don't forget boots.

i'm surprised you guys only use 12 - 15 straps. i can think of some loads that require 18 straps. copper mine in miami AZ. will put 6 rolls on your trailer laying sideways. 3 straps per roll.

load of pipe that requires 3 levels of straps. 2 on the first row. 3 on the second row. 4 on the third row.

if you get desperate and haul cars. that's 12 chains.

personally i'd go with 6 ft drops. 2 ft extensions. not many loads to haul that are over 5 ft high. and the short loads are easier to deal with when you got less drop. make the tarps as light as possible. and a patch kit. for when you eventually tear your tarp. plus a small tarp that will cover that load of pipe in the front. (smoke tarp).

also, 4 rows of d-rings. for those short metal type loads.

clothes to keep you dry. yesterday i untarped and unstrapped. rain the whole time. reloaded and strapped and tarped. rain the whole time.

red flags and banners and a light bar. in case you get a oversized load someday. not many wide loads but lots of long loads.

5 gallon jug of ice. go down to phoenix or what not. and that ice melts quick. and you'll have very cold water in that heat. tarping or untarping ISN'T FUN in the heat.

ladder of some sort. some places won't allow you to tarp or untarp on there property. long skinny rod with a hook. for when you need to move your tarps on tarp you can hook onto the d-rings. easier then climbing back up there.

 

Oh ya, I fashioned a homemade hook about 5 feet long for pulling chain through the eyes of spools since we pulled a bunch of wire rope out of Williamsport, PA. Very handy for all kinds of stuff.

 

My stuff is all priced half price. I will sell you ten straps for 70, close enough. I keep telling ya send me a check and pick them up whever you want.

 

My 8' tarps got me a lot of good loads because nobody else had or would use 8'. Personally i think once your over two foot you may as well go tarp 8'. Its flatbedding if you arent willing to tarp you need to pull a van unless you get a cushy niche gig.