Brand New Flat-Bedder Here!

Dont accept hide loads. (Unless your mj.) Ask, ask, ask.



Thats bout it.














Oh, one more thing. Dont tell any non flatbeder how fun it is. We like our secrets, secret.

 

There's legal. And there's common sense. And there is self preservation.

Say you had a 10,000 pound chunk of steel. 4'x4'x4'. Legally you need 2 straps on it. Common sense would be 2 chains. Self preservation would be two chains, then 2 "X" chains on the front of it.

There's no such thing as a stupid question. Ask away. These guys have more cards up their sleeves than there are cards in the deck.

 

Steel and concrete are danderous. Once you've seen them move forward on a trailer it makes you use more securement.

 

Once you get some experience you will be able to pull off cool moves like this:

Steer high!

 

Use thine squishy brain device.

Be methodical. Don't cut corners out of impatience.

Had a driver recently dump some chassis. Because they took thier chains off and didn't put them back on before having to reposition for the wrecker.

 

My stragety is to throw everything on it until I run out of securement or points to tie to. It takes a little bit longer but the value is my philosphy that God can pick up the truck turn it upside down while playing and the load will stay on the deck.

 

Best advice is to ask questions and then when loading,.. look for someone who looks like he has his ish together. Not the 2 guys joking around and not taking things seriously. There are many shortcuts and different ways to do the same thing. Everyone has what works for them. Just because you do it differently does not always make it wrong.

Watch and observe. Learn to use a bulk head when ever possible. Or at the very least,.. add securement that will block forward movement. This is a self preservation task that not everyone uses. Last thing you want is that load to come crashing through the back of your tractor, killing you.

Fatality:


Fatality:


Fatality:


.

Things happen. With open deck your cargo is out there for all to see. Constant vigilance is needed. Not trying to discourage you. Only to make you aware of what can happen. You need common sense when doing open deck. There is no room for ignorance. Each of the images above could have been prevented had the loads been properly secured. Never become complacent or take anything for granted. The trailer will flex, chains and straps can and do come loose. This is why you often see open deck drivers in rest areas or on an off ramp somewhere checking over his load. I typically check mine after the first 30 mins. Then again 1 - 2 hrs and every 2 hours after that. The 5 mins you took to stop and check could not only save your life,. but an innocent motorist as well.

Many examples of good and bad securement here if you want to search for them.

@Chewy352 is a prime example of a successful transition to open deck.

Hurst

 

Think about this for a moment

Any load can shift, move, roll, twist.

The thing you are looking to do is stop that potential before it starts. It is a lot easier to keep it still, than stop it.
physics wins all the time, every time.

Bulkheads, cross chains, trip chains and blocks are just some of the tools you have available to you.

another thing to think about.

With a strap, the maximun clamping force is the section between the winch and the first change of direction.

Chain works the same.

A 90 degree corner can cut your clamp force by as much as 40 percent.