Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

Zeviander · Jun 11, 2016

Hurst said: ↑

I came up on this the other day in Md. I couldnt beleive what I was seeing. I slowed down next to him. I was going to try to get his attention and then figured there was no hope for him as he had his phone to his ear, completely oblivious to the world out side his window.

Hurst
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Someone with no business pulling a skateboard.

skro47 · Jun 11, 2016

Zeviander said: ↑

So this happened to me today.

View attachment 142055

A little background.

This particular shipper does trailer cross members for a great number of trailer manufacturers. They work in cooperation with the local steel mill and churn out a whole ton of these things. This is one of my "bread and butter" loads. I do a pickup at least once a week. They turn out at least a dozen trucks a day on a "busy" day.

They have a single loading area and prefer that drivers move out of the way after being loaded so they can start loading the next truck right away. Whether they have strapped down or not (they are actually quite pushy, even for us, and we do the most loads for them). Up until today, I haven't had a single problem moving the truck with this load. Ever (I usually just throw the three belly straps and move it problem free).

Now to describe the load itself. The steel cross members are coated in a black, waxy substance that makes them not require tarping for transport (they are one of the most difficult loads to tarp when they aren't coated). This wax coating, under the right weather conditions (temperatures above 20°C/68°F) turns into what is essentially grease.

It's slippery to walk on and as I found out today in a very humbling experience, the bundles slide around like they are on black ice. Now, I moved the truck a good 100 feet on level ground (and around a corner, including backing) before this happened, not a single issue. Being the courteous professional that I always try to be, I like moving out of the way so I'm never blocking anyone.

So I started turning the trailer onto that gravel lot area beside the concrete driveway. It's inclined downwards towards the concrete... ever so slightly. So little in fact, you really can't even see it unless you get down on the ground and look. But this was enough to start the bundles on their trip off the trailer.

I am glad of two things: 1) I only lost two bundles and 2) no one was around when I was moving the truck and avoided actual catastrophe.

When something like this happens, I get that knotted feeling in my gut that makes me feel terrible. The shipping supervisor tried to reassure me that they've had this happen before, and I won't be the last to have it happen... but that doesn't help. I still feel terrible it happened, even though they will be able to recover pretty much all the product (the only damage was the broken dunnage and a few dented end plates) and told me they aren't even going to bother reporting it to my company (which I did, since I always want to be honest, even if it's a fault).

I've always been insistent on always having at least a single strap on a load before moving it, but this shipper has always pushed me to move, and I've never had an issue so far. Now that I have, I'm not moving until I get at least one strap over each bundle stack. No matter what they say to me or my company. I refuse to let this happen again.

Anyways... I'm glad today is Friday and the week is over.
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Is it legal to drive a flatbe with straps outside of the rail in USA? Here in Canada it is not. Just asking no trying to bash you.

Just got this new flatbed contract and shipper does not allow us to hook on trailer until load is secured. Or can only be hooked if a lock in put on trailer red hand.

Sure keeps you from droping product.

MJ1657 · Jun 11, 2016

skro47 said: ↑

Is it legal to drive a flatbe with straps outside of the rail in USA? Here in Canada it is not. Just asking no trying to bash you.

Just got this new flatbed contract and shipper does not allow us to hook on trailer until load is secured. Or can only be hooked if a lock in put on trailer red hand.

Sure keeps you from droping product.
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Yes you can hook outside the rub rail here.

passingthru69 · Jun 11, 2016

Depends on which "expert" you talk with.....

MACK E-6 · Jun 11, 2016

skro47 said: ↑

Is it legal to drive a flatbe with straps outside of the rail in USA? Here in Canada it is not. Just asking no trying to bash you.

Just got this new flatbed contract and shipper does not allow us to hook on trailer until load is secured. Or can only be hooked if a lock in put on trailer red hand.

Sure keeps you from droping product.
Click to expand...

It's legal to do it.

You just have to watch yourself in places like finger docks.

sunsation288 · Jun 11, 2016

One of my driver load this ninja

Ruthless · Jun 11, 2016

sunsation288 said: ↑

One of my driver load this ninja

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Now that's a sweet horse

cnsper · Jun 11, 2016

Well I guess that we get to haul three extra beams. I just heard this afternoon that the beams we delivered yesterday are 6" short. I knew they had issues lining them up but we did discover that the load bearing plates did not have enough skew but apparently that is not the only issue. They will have to make new beams now.

macavoy · Jun 12, 2016

PeteyFixAll said: ↑

Either way @macavoy I'm glad all worked out, well I guess we don't know how Buddy is going to handle it yet!!! Anyway, point is you seem to have found a good place, you get to operate different types of equipment, trucks, and trailers. And you get to work in varying areas, (populated deal with traffic, and somewhat rural), Looks like a good mix, helps keep it interesting!
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PeteyFixAll

You inspired me to take this video of me loving my job and taking pride in figuring out a way to get it done when conventional methods fail.

ps video quality sucks and is sideways.

Dye Guardian · Jun 13, 2016

Today's/tonight's/this morning's 'overnight'.

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