Understanding Flatbed

Btw, check out the flatbed pics thread. You may want to stay away from that 'Where is Everyone?' thread. They talk about everything from guns and knives, farm implements and tractor pulls, teaching children gun safety, 4x4trucks, midieval siege weapons, cute waitresses, good food and the adult beverage that rewards a hard day's work. And conspiracy theories. Some of the guys aren't human. They have been replaced by machines.

 

Nah I'm across the street and the J. Get better prices on fuel from Pilot/Flying J and I have a bunch of showers saved up here and parking was better when I got here than across the street.

 

Rust is not always equal happy company. You want Aluminum and shiny with wood decking in good condition, spread axles and chain attachments up and down the deck. Your posts should not be bent, your tarps and panels should not be abused. Check the 5th wheel for a special material which tells you that that trailer is yours to keep on that 5th wheel for as long you can stand it befoer it throws a understeer. Check the condition of the tires. Examine to see if there is a extra dump valve.

I can go on. I have a love and hate relationship with Eck Miller who does steel of all kinds. And when they are a billion dollar company running 400,000 loads delivered each year, the pipsqueak they hired (That is you) is not necessarily a important or noticable revenue stream.

 

Thought Eck Miller closed years ago.

 

You already have driving experience...no need to start at a training company. When I switched from reefer to flat, I worked on the yard for a few days. I started with a company that serviced an aluminum mill. There has to be flatbed companies in your area.
Theres the crane and rigging companies
Towing and recovery
Heavy machinery rentals
Lumber mills
Etc.

 

Minute and a half to go a mile? That's 40 MPH. Double nickle will take you 1.09 minutes.

 

@Chewy352, can you give the man a link to your tiedown reference book?

If i were out west, i would want to haul for SPD. Check with Mr @kylefitzy

 

They did.

 

Like was said above there's no need for a starter company. Aim higher. A little training on flatbed can be nice but is not necessary. I've had to help mega drivers with flatbed training secure a load. This forum will get you through a lot. Also when you're sitting at a truckstop go walk around and look at flatbed loads. You'll learn a lot what to do and not do. Read this manual cover to cover. Even the stuff that doesn't seem relevant. The principles are what you want to pick up. If you learn the principles behind securement then you can secure anything.