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New to flatbed

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by John Dewart, Jul 14, 2016.

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  1. Jul 14, 2016 #1
    John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    Jan 2, 2016
    Hartford, CT
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    hey guys a I gotta question for ya. Coming out of CRST with one year clean. Going to ATS and doing specialized. They didn't tell me what kind of trailer I'll be pulling specifically, and I gotta do a backing test for them. I can back a 53' dry van pretty well, except for blindsiding.

    My concern is, what if I have to back up a spread axle trailer? Or something with completely different handling characteristics, is it that much of a difference? Got me a little bit nervous here.
     
    John Dewart, Jul 14, 2016
    John Dewart, Jul 14, 2016
    #1
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  3. Jul 14, 2016 #2
    passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

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    davenport,Ia / ratchaburi, thailand
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    Just take your time
     
    passingthru69, Jul 14, 2016
    passingthru69, Jul 14, 2016
    #2
    TripleSix, John Dewart and MJ1657 Thank this.
  4. Jul 14, 2016 #3
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Rest assured you'll have bigger concerns than backing up a spread. That will come in time.

    For now, I'd say just mind your load securement. This bunch of guys here will help keep you on the straight and narrow.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 14, 2016
    MACK E-6, Jul 14, 2016
    #3
    Lepton1 and John Dewart Thank this.
  5. Jul 14, 2016 #4
    passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

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    You will probably get a tandem for your test drive there. Don't think they have ever flunked anyone there.
    Might send you to securement class for a few days though which is good
     
    passingthru69, Jul 14, 2016
    passingthru69, Jul 14, 2016
    #4
    John Dewart and MJ1657 Thank this.
  7. Jul 14, 2016 #5
    n0dn4rb

    n0dn4rb Bobtail Member

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    Mar 5, 2012
    Houston, TX
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    Best advice anyone ever gave me was secure your load like your family was driving next to you. Chains/Binders/Straps don't do you any good in/on your rack.
     
    n0dn4rb, Jul 14, 2016
    n0dn4rb, Jul 14, 2016
    #5
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  8. Jul 14, 2016 #6
    John Dewart

    John Dewart Medium Load Member

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    Jan 2, 2016
    Hartford, CT
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    Yea it's a week long orientation, 3 days of securing loads, and two days of company stuff. Very excited. I've only strapped down lumber and machines before, nothing much bigger than a medium sized bob cat. I do get paid to secure them, so there's no reason not to. I only know a few things. I hope they do have me do a test on a tandem. I'm very nervous about it. No idea why, I can see over it which is a nice advantage, and aren't flat beds only 48'? Eh still. Hopefully it's not a spread or a lowboy trailer. Lol
     
    John Dewart, Jul 14, 2016
    John Dewart, Jul 14, 2016
    #6
  9. Jul 14, 2016 #7
    MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Isanti, MN
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    Good luck.
     
    MJ1657, Jul 14, 2016
    MJ1657, Jul 14, 2016
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  10. Jul 14, 2016 #8
    Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    As Mack said, load securement is going to be the biggest thing you have to worry about on a daily basis.

    And I'm not sure what issue people have with spreads and backing. I back tandems, triaxles (three axles in Canada to match the 10' split tandem in the US) both 48' and 53' every day of the week and don't notice much difference between any of them. Turning is where the 53' triaxle becomes problematic (and far more challenging, especially a 53' stepdeck).

    B-trains had a much higher learning curve for me.

    What I enjoy most about deck trailers is that you can see over them while backing (when they are empty anyways, or loaded with steel) and aren't as wide as a van or Contestoga, so you can see down the side to the axles when backing straight.
     
    Zeviander, Jul 14, 2016
    Zeviander, Jul 14, 2016
    #8
  11. Jul 14, 2016 #9
    Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    I didn't know flatbedders backed up.
     
    Old Man, Jul 14, 2016
    Old Man, Jul 14, 2016
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  12. Jul 14, 2016 #10
    Kujo

    Kujo Medium Load Member

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    Feb 6, 2012
    in the middle
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    It will be a 53' spread you road test with. It's not hard. On backing just use one side of the trailer for alignment. Watch both sides but only steer based on one. If not you'll be wagging back and forth.
     
    Kujo, Jul 14, 2016
    Kujo, Jul 14, 2016
    #10
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