Flatbed is physically demanding?

I started flatbed at the age of 59, three and a half years ago. I'm having a blast and love it all . THAT being said I am in a line of flatbed that rarely tarps (oilfield equipment). I have tarped a grand total of 7 loads in three and a half years. Tarps, especially 8' drop tarps, are heavy.

Figure out a system for how you work. Where's the most efficient place to put your straps, chains, binders?...
After you have organized your securement the way that works best for you the job becomes easier.

During hot times in the south I can easily go through a gallon of water a day. I have gone through three sets of clothes when it's muddy and raining.

But in spite all that I can't think of anything else I would rather be doing at my age.

Work SMARTER, NOT harder.

 

This ^^^

I can’t believe how much easier it is to secure a load now that I’ve reorganized my gear a few times. Unfortunately though there’s no manual for that. You just have to learn the hard way, make some changes, and repeat the process until you’ve made it as efficient as possible.

As for how difficult flatbedding is or isn’t, my opinion is that the weather determines that. I had a load out of California this summer that was a nightmare to secure, plus it was 105 degrees and sunny around mid-day. That load wouldn’t have been nearly as physically taxing on me if it had been 60 degrees and partly cloudy.

 

Flatbed is fun! Whistle while u work. It’s also fun to walk over to other drivers and start telling them how they should secure their load.

 

trying to tarp in a hot, cold, windy, rain, snow weather (pretty much 90 % of the time).......fun fun fun

 

Flatbedding

Cranking down winches (12-16)
To tighten or loosen
Adjusting larger dunnage 6 x 6
Using a winch bar to pry or push a piece that has moved.
Not having a forklift put your (2k) 8' drops tarp on a load.

Throwing your (5lb sugar). Of. A nylon strap over a 14' load in wind or weather.

Unloading any items that are not forlift available. (Deliver to a field jobsite)

Plenty of ways it's taxing on the body while flatbedding. It all depends on the load and situation your at. Just be careful with walking on un-even loads and in secured loads.

 

It is if you are doing it right! Up down up down toss that 100lb tarp around up down up down.

Throwing chains and jumping on binder handles. Multiple drops!?

Un do it all and do it over!

Now multiply that times most every single load you run in your career.

Blizzards, 105 F, 80-90% humidity, high winds and everything in between and I would not want it any other way!

Up down , up down, up down , up down , up down!

 

It really just depends on what freight your hauling if its heavy machinery you won't have that issue all you'll need to do is chain it up, yes however if its weather sensitive freight your going to have to cover it up and that'll mean tarping, yep if its a high load some how you've got to get up there and roll the tarp out, this is where you'll need to be really friendly with the fork lift operator cause he/she 's going to have to lift that tarp up there for you, and this is one reason why i stuck with van and reefer. I've done flat bed didn't like it and done reefer ever since. well until recently when i switched to tanker.