Straighten Rub Rails?

I never owned one, but that rub rail on the Fontaine Revolution is impressive.

Not impressed enough to buy one. Not as long as Mac or Reitnouer are making flatbeds.

 

Training question: Now that I own my own flatbed, how do you seasoned vets go about compensation for damaged rails, etc.? I'm sure there is always a "prove it" person; or even better, an inexplicable and mysterious sudden loss of ability to speak english. How do you handle these situations?

 

Avoid it before it happens. I usually stand there and HELP them load with the winch bar I my hand. I've been bumped hard without reason maybe 5 times in 2 years of owning my own flatbed. My Ritinour takes it perty good though. Trailer is a well used 2007 unit and has more damage from chains than forklifts.

 

Take pictures before you load there's the proof. Google translate for the language issues. Beteryet YOU stop speaking English and see what happens

 

I've been thinking up ideas on how to straighten the rails on the Fontaine I'm pulling this thread was very helpful. Getting tired of prying the hooks through with the winch bar

 

Cut a hardwood taper and pound it into the pocket. Then hammer it back up n out. Its easy to drill/sawzall if it gets stuck, unlike steel.

 

Yeah ok. Rembered because theres a pic of your face in the guardshack saying do not admit onto property.

 

I have seen a driver hang a 2x4 on the run rail, then moved it when that section was loased

 

This is what I’ve used a time or two to straighten the rub rail

 

Take the hook and turn it 90 degrees from the way you would normally hook it (so the hook is vertical). Now you should be able to slide the hook through the rubrail near a pocket or a spool. That always worked for me when I pulled old beat steel trailers at a previous company.