Flatbed mods to make it easier to load / unload

This does not make loading or unloading, directly, easier. Have a method to your madness. Do it the same way each time. This will ensure a better more methodological approach to securing or unsecuring. You are less likely to leave something undone or equipment laying about. Do a final walk around your tractor and trailer looking for anything out of place. Don't do it by route, really look.

 

I haven't been to Walcott to see their prices lately but I have to agree its sickening how truck stops take advantage of us. Had to buy a light for my trailer one day. Truck stop wanted 19.95 for an incandecent marker turn walked over to the shop that was all of 100 yards away 10.99 led 8.99 incandescent. Pathetic IMO. That's not as bad as shoemakers west in Lincoln, NE though. 79.99 for a 5/16 20ft g70 china chain. They raked me over the coals for a 4" 30ft ratchet strap one day 74.99 but truck equipment was closed by the time I got there so it was either risk a ticket or pay for the strap. Just sad were out here trying to make a living, we stop in, park there, spend money there to eat, buy fuel, pay for a shower, and they rip us when were in need. Guess they forgot all the crap in their truck stop was brought in on a truck.

 

priced a 3/8" 20 foot chain at orschelns last night 106.00. selling chain by the foot at 5.00 a foot

 

I use little bungee cords to keep my hooks hooked to my rail while strapping down, because my load is always from rail to rail and cant run the hook down then back up to rail to stay hooked

 

I use a tarp strap to hold my excess strap when using a portable winch or 4" ratchet strap. Roll the excess up and above the winch put one end of the tarp strap over the upper end of the excess strap and stretch the tarp strap and wind it around the excess and hook the tarp strap at the bottom of the excess. This works real good, never had a problem with this setup.

 

Let's see a picture please as this tarp strap is hard for me to picture?

 

next time i need to do this I will try to remember to take a pic and post it!

 

How much? I can get a drum of 20fts with hooks for $1000 might be $1200 but not $106/chain. Last time I knew truck equipment Had 20ft 3/8 at $55/chain and buying bulk they went down. That's why I don't shop for chain at tsc or orshelns. Sorry but that's just getting ripped off. You can also order them off 1stchainsupply drums are about $950 for 3/8" USA either peerless or cm. I will say this though I called another dealer for USA binders all they had were Crosby and they wanted $120/a binder. Reluctantly I said I'll buy china in that case unless that Crosby is made of gold.

 

I lost mine hauling new dumpsters and threw it in one of the new one's and forgot to get it out when unloaded.

 

I tell my students that doing up a load quickly isn't about speed, but rather efficiency.