difference in driving a flatbed?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DC843, Jul 27, 2015.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I know you were joking; I was just messin' with ya!
    Keep that list though in case you decide to leave Melton.
     
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  3. DC843

    DC843 Medium Load Member

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    I'm sure I'll be taught all I need to know about that in orientation and training
     
  4. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    There are no sides on a flatbed. Tarp is a four letter word. Straps chains and binders oh my.
     
  5. jerezxp7

    jerezxp7 Medium Load Member

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    Even with 5 years driving and a solid record I trained for 6 weeks to go heavy haul flat bed securement is no joke when you have 65 thousand pounds of steel on deck it's pretty important it stays there going down the road but you don't want to do flat bed we get all dirty it's hot work in the summer cold work in the winter you can't wear flip flops and sweats at steel mills or lumber yards no you want to go van, get fat and lazy hang out at truck stops and tell dot story's flatbed is to much work don't do it.
     
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  6. n3ss

    n3ss Heavy Load Member

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    Flat bed is fun... climbing on top of a hot load of pipe when it's 90 something degrees out to spread tarps, when you're terrified of heights...

    or in a similar scenario, only colder, dark, at night, and you slice your wrist open on a metal strap on a load of lumber.. Glad the receiver didn't have an issue with blood stained lumber. Ruined a good pair of shorts, my favorite 'work' shirt... The morning shipping guy thought he was tracking a wounded deer.

    Well now I kind of miss flatbedding.
     
    Lepton1 and jerezxp7 Thank this.
  7. jerezxp7

    jerezxp7 Medium Load Member

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    All of that or up in Hudson Bay Canada where you can see the Arora Borialis it's -15 and your beating the ice off your tarps so you can unfold them no sir flatbed is dangerous work and should not be attempted. We had a driver this year slip on the ice broke his leg in 3 places another blown off the top of the load tarping it, fractured his back. It's to much work and to dangerous my advice is drive a van.
     
  8. Maila Serda

    Maila Serda Bobtail Member

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    Holy cow! I was on the phone with a recruter from Melton yesterday and she's like.. "how would you feel about a 90 lb tarp?" I'm like... "hhmmm... I guess I need to think about it."
    I have a cdl but no experience so I'm patiently studying my options and I think I'm crossing flat beds outta my pipe dreamin' list
     
    kiwi23, Chinatown and jerezxp7 Thank this.
  9. jerezxp7

    jerezxp7 Medium Load Member

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    We have women that work for our company granted they are women who could kick my ### but you don't have to be superman . Flatbed especially heavy haul is hard work we work harder ,drive less miles but get paid more that is the long and short of it as a 8 axle heavy haul driver I make my own appointments because there is no hurry up and get there or hurry up and tie 65 thousand pounds of steel on your trailer it takes however long it takes and I will call the customer and let them know when I'm getting there I lIke my job.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2015
  10. n3ss

    n3ss Heavy Load Member

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    i'm no machoman, you find ways to get them where you need them to be. Forklifts are helpful.

    Just make sure you have one of those nice ladders that fold up if you do flatbed.
     
    jerezxp7 Thanks this.
  11. jerezxp7

    jerezxp7 Medium Load Member

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    I agree take your time work smart and get it done you don't have to be superhuman just able to put in a little hard work. Oh and I'm short I love my fold up ladder it's a must.
     
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