First time flatbed driver

Tie your load down like you plan on rolling your truck.

 

Forget everything you ever learned about driving. Remember every turn you make and bump you hit will test how well you tied it down. Increase your following distance, take your time, and learn some patience, the steel mills will stroke you out. Don't let some old fart tell you that you only need 2 chains on something when you think it needs 10, but on the other hand don't be lazy because it's cold and raining and put 2 chains on something needing 10. Man it's some of the hardest, dirtiest trucking, and most enjoyable thing you will do.

 

Don't know how young or in shape you are, but don't jump off the sides or back of your trailer. May sound dumb, but use the bumper or catwalk. Try to stretch before tarping/securing and unloading.

 

yep secure EVERY load like its going to fall off. For me a 40k lb coild gets 8-9 chains. i throw a strap every 8 feet,, dont care how light/heavty the load is

 

All very good things. Never be afraid to ask questions. Even of drivers from other companies. Seems most flatbedders want to help each other. Pictures, use your phone and take pics of other
loads. I have referred to my picks many times.

 

keep your traienrs phone number, or a freinds phone number that does flatbed, ask LOTS, and LOTS of questions

 

Just finished my first week flatbedding with no prior experience to really speak of.

The above posts - the above drivers - are flatbed drivers who I would happily have ride on the roads alongside my friends and family, just by the attitude of their posts.

 

My old boss would say there's no such thing as a shifting load. If someone says their load shifted it either wasn't loaded right or it wasn't tied down correctly. Back when I was on fb there was a pic of a truck that was 3 high with lumber. It was tied down correctly with gut straps over the second level and the rest over the top. One of the comments was about how he didn't need that many straps and was wasting his time throwing that many. So my advice is don't listen to guys like that. Lol. Don't let anyone talk you out of straps or chains. That extra 10 minutes it will take you is sure better in the long run when you look at the other option of having a road shut down because you laid it over. Don't drive like you're pulling a dry box. Easy starts and stops. Watch how a loaded cow truck starts out and copy him. Also take corners easy. Throw straps with the wind at your back. And tarp into the wind.

One more thing about straps. I'd say don't leave your excess strap wound around the winches. It will make things harder to tie down because you basically have a big sponge on your winch. Plus you're throwing the hook over the load and theres quite a few places I went out west where that's a big no-no. That'll probably rile some guys up.

 

Agreed. Last load, the guys helped me tighten down a couple. Some went over the rub rail, had to correct, and one wound the excess strap in the winch. You're right, couldn't get the sponge tight enough. I like the 'fold pushed through, and 2 or 3 revolutions' - seems to tighten down pretty good.

 

New truck. New job. New outlook....you're on fire right now. Whats next?