What does it mean to get a semi "flatbed ready"?

Getting all the securement gear placed, headache/ storage boxes placed, and anything else one would need or want to do flatbed

May not be what others consider, but that's what i think ii hear that phrase

 

People always that? I have never heard it and have no idea what it means?

Have you ever worked a flatbed?

I mean it probably just means whatever you need to gather to run a load.....chains binders straps tarps coil racks dunnage...

 

How big is your flat going to be? Will you be doing oversize? Tall stuff? Steel? 400+ for tarp......300 for chains/binders.....

 

I dumped about 5k all in, from chains and binders to headache rack and tool boxes.

You can get in a bit cheaper to get by.

 

Don't forget a breaker bar! Hand tight won't cut it.

 

First things first. Before buying equipment, make sure that you buy a truck with the proper wheelbase. You need room for the headache rack and any potential front overhang.

And flats have a deeper kingpin setting than steps too.

'What do you mean by "deeper kingpin setting", Six?

Steps and rgns have shallow kingpin setting. 5th wheel all the way to the rear, the front drives are exposed. On a flat and a van, drives are completely covered.
In other words running a flat might make it necessary for a longer wheelbase than a step to insure clearances.

Measure twice. Cut once.

 

Flat bedding required on my end a headache rack big enough behind the sleeper to hold all chain at a minimum I think that was a 20 chain rack with bins at the bottom so you don't snare your own drive shaft and tear yourself apart.

A slideable 5th wheel. You wont often use it but you will be happy you have it.

A dump valve put inside your dashboard so you can cause the airbags on the trailer spread axle rear to dump it's suspension for very tight manuvering.

A side box put on your tractor somewhere to catch the odds and ends of securement.

A trailer capable of flatbed work fully outfitted for same. With enough storage for all of your securement, tarps, etc. If you dont have enough box to carry everything with a clean deck, get more boxes and bigger ones until you can.

Flatbedding is a uppergraduate type of trucking. Very precise. Not as common as your van driver with a load of chips. ANyone can do a van. But special people run flatbeds or tanker.

Last but not least... put a cup of coffee in front of your shifter on the floor of your cab, no lid.

Drive until you can keep that coffee just so and not spill it. Congrats you are now ready to run flatbed.