Guess im a flatbedder now!

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Simplespeed, Feb 15, 2020.

  1. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

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    Just bought my first truck and signed onto a local company doing mostly local right now with some overnights here and there. The plan was to pull containers out of the ports but after riding with another o/o for a day running the ports, fukc that bs. #### was crazy and just didnt look like fun. I knocked out a few van loads and they were quick easy money. I tried my first flatbed load yesterday and i was fun, pay was pretty #### good too. So, i told them to keep me on flatbed and lets see how it goes. Got another one lined up to go first thing monday morning. Its preloaded so i dont know if that means its already strapped down or what. Just a quick 90 mile turn and burn and hopefully get anothe one preloaded for tuesday. Anyway, never thought this would be my forum but here we are so im just checking in!
     
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  3. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

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    Another thing, I gotta figure out a way to store my straps. I have an apu on the drivers side, which really sucks. I have steps on the passenger side but there is not a lot of room in there. I was thinking about some toolbox steps on that side. I also need more catwalk, maybe an between frametoolbox? From what I hear I wont be using chain very often mostly straps until i start pulling step decks.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2020
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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    In my day preloaded usually meant straps on and tarps loose. Maybe.

    You go over that thing carefully. Trailer and load and securement etc.

    I am not going to burst the bubble of your happiness at your discovering the wonderful world of flatbedding.
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Our daycab macks had the little pickup truck tool boxes. The steel ones with the locking flip up side lids on top. Bolt one of those on there. Check your clearances on front trailer corners. All the straps went in there along with everything else.
     
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  6. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

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    I know it can suck. My dad pulled flatbeds for a long time and he trys to talk me out of it lol. I get it, but I have been pulling dry vans for 7 years and im bored, I need excercise and a change of pace. Good thing is that i can pick up a dry van any time I want. They are cool with us moving around. 160 drivers, most pull containers, some pull vans and 7 including me are pulling flatbed. My hope is that I can stay busy.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2020
  7. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

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    Thats a really good idea. I have a sleeper but that may still work. I have a t680 and the air lines come out of a box welded to the left frame rail. It sticks up about 5 or 6 inches. I might have to relocate the air hoses to another place.
     
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  8. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

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    I had the same thing on my 680. Sounds like you need a big enclosed headache rack. And that box can be relocated, mount it under your headache rack. Not sure how well you can see it, it's dark out right now...

    20200215_191842.jpg
     
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  9. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

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    Yea, that would be ideal. I guess i'll hold out a while until i can comfortably afford one. I just got started so need to rebuild the bank. So right now everything is in my side boxes under the bed and its killing me getting my new to me truck all dirty in there lol.
     
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  10. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

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    Flatbedding is dirty work. And yeah if you can I'd hold out to buy the rack ya want. And fyi, there is never gonna be enough room for every thing.
     
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  11. Odin's Rabid Dog

    Odin's Rabid Dog Heavy Load Member

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    I'll second that it can get dirty flat bedding. I'm thinking about getting a pair of canvas chaps like chainsawyers wear...
     
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