"Do not ever drive flatbed"

Those types of customers are far and few between in my experience in flatbed. I'd say the majority of the customers I've dealt with load you, help you afterward, and the consignee usually needs or wants what you have. I've had some that have 3-5 guys helping me insecure or untarp my load. Even had one place where the guys rolled my tarps and straps for me while I got my paperwork done (that was a once in a kid time thing haha)

 

I'm going for all endorsements so I can be more versatile. Except passenger endorsement, I have no ambition to drive people around who could care less about me. That's my family's job! Lol

 

I told this story in the where is everyone thread yesterday. I slept overnight at an elevator two nights ago. Woke up and they started unloading me. I had about 20 straps with lots of carpeting and corner protectors on everything. In 30 minutes I was unstrapped, unloaded, rolled up and heading down the road. I was trying to keep up with 8 guys helping me. Cant beat that.

 

Especially over holidays or though major cities. It can be a real balancing act trying to abide by curfew regulations and still drive during daylight hours. Just played that game last week with a 10'-2" load out of LA.

 

Skateboardin' will separate the boys from the men and ain't for everyone. We like to do it with straps and chains!

 

Haha, ya, at times it can actually get annoying. I usually have a routine when I untarp and unsecure a load and then a couple guys come in and just start pulling stuff off. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the help, but I get a little perturbed when they just drop my straps in the mud, or toss bungees any which way heh.

 

That's how I am when it comes to securing. I secure my loads a certain way and in a certain order. I always tell guys I appreciate the help but at the same time no thanks. Unless I'm struggling with something, then I will appreciate the help

 

I fractured my ankle last week while loading steel and the driver behind me helped me get my tarps on top of the load and helped me tie down, without being asked. It's gotta be a flatbed thing.

 

I think this pretty much says it. I dont mind any kind of hot wether myself. But the cold can be a bit challenging. Like when you pick up a tarped load that was rained on, then froze, hailed that night, then snowed on top of that. Then u pick it up on mon? Lol was a helluva challenge pulling that tarp off at the consignee. But thats probably the only parts I hate. Though loading up in windy mass lowes freightyard trying to tarp sucks too. But ad with any job you have to take the bad with the good.

 

Am new to flatbed don't wanna seem like a complete nub - anyone use step-ladders to get onto trailer/load and what's the trick, if simply tossing over, to getting 4" straps straight and flat? Don't need to tarp much or so i'm told; while one is there it's mostly a day job only hauling lumber from mills?

IF TARPING lumber is it tarp 1'st then secure, 4" strap last (or secure separate then bungee)?

LOL Had 1'st flatbed run Friday, 'bout 6hrs round-trip @ 78,200lbs of 2X4 sticks, being nervous found myself looking in mirror at load as much as road?