Flatbed training?

Well count that as a blessing, as this industry is dictated to by the insurance companies.

If you have 5 companies & 3 insurance companies willing to take you on, why are you asking who you should look at? Seems like you already have a short list of willing participants.

Understand, I’m not trying to be a smart aleck or jerk with my replies. But I’ve seen people with better records get shunned by companies based on their insurance companies demands.

 

The way some people react on here you would think the internet is where you go to get offended

 

Best advice i think most flatbedder will give you, is just understand the minimum securment requirements and then go above and beyond that... Tarping will make more sense after u so it a couple times , the way i think about tarping is to think about when the wind hits this piece whats going to happen usually that helps with where to put the bungees, how to wrap the ends up, etc... But i think most flatbedders will tell u that were all still learning out here , i see guys all the time with little tools and tricks theyve gained over the years and they always willing to share their knowledge.. Thats the cool thing about flatbedders i think we genarlly look out for one another and share knowlesge and tricks... Watever u decide to do good luck to u

 

I have 20 chains and binders on my truck...(company truck) ialways make sure to have extra pins for the hooks , extra hooks incase any rust out and break...all my chains are 5/16 but 3/8 would be better.... I have about 15 straps that i use regularly and about 10 spare ones... I think about 20-30 edge protectors... I would rather have the long v boards but my company doesnt provide them... About 100 bungees used for tarping and other misc things...if ur gonna be tarping get u some pieces of carpet or moving blankets so u could pad sharp corners underur tarp to keep from ripping ... My favorite piece of gear is my 3 dollar plastic strap winder, i can roll up 10 straps in a couple minutes saves a whole lotta time... Thats about all i think of right now im sure i missed something but im sure some of the other flatbedders will chime in

 

Flatbed isnt gonna be any better than Van's right now, slow season... Hopefully you wont be too disappointed...

In addition to what was listed below I would get a few 2 inch ratchet straps and a couple 4 inch... A couple pocket winches, A strap puller/edge protector extension pole ( like $60 or so )Strap Pusher - Truckers Mall Lube to keep your chain ratchets in good condition.

 

You cannot say I'll do flatbed and then refuse to haul coil.

What is going on in there? You cannot refuse paperrolls either. You take what loads they give you. Paper is not the problem. It's the customer who needs that paper there early. They are literally running out of that paper as you race to deliver.

You have to make allowances and make lemonade when things get difficult about a load, whatever it is. You are hardly in a position to say no Im not taking this or not hauling that or something else. Thats not what a true American Long Haul Trucker does. you take what you are paid to run to the customer.

The one thing I will not do in life is run a bus. Filled with school kids. So there are worse things than hauling that precious coil or paper.