Flatbed Work ?

I just graduated Driving school and am looking at a company that only does flatbed work. In school they didn't say much about flatbeds but they did say that the scales and other enforcement agencies (MTO, DOT ect....) are getting picky about how the loads are secured. Is there somewhere where there are rules posted about how a load must be straped or chained? Or is it just make it as secure as you can?

 

There are lots of rules and regulations. This link will get you started. Lots of times shippers have there own special requirements in addition to these rules.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/cargo/cs-manual.htm

 

I loved my covered wagon. Hauled aluminum extrusions west from Balt. and picked up wood beams (the laminated ones) in OR, usually 60 footers, to MD-VA Heavy but low profile and didnt require tarping. Gone 9 days at a time if I wantedThe best pay was machinery like sewing machines for carpet, weighed 3000 lb and paid $/ mile. It was busy,no sitting and waiting for loads, heavy machinery was fun except u never have enough permits (scam!!) Cattle were fun to haul, very top heavy and no one ever refused a load but it was so seasonal and cruddy dirty, and pigs!!! Dont. Karl

 

Next question.
To anyone who has run flatbed;
When you go to a shipper or reciever do you normally pull into a dock to get loaded/unloaded or do they usually do that right from the ground? Just curious as I might be starting to haul flatbed next week and have been told by some people you allway use a dock and others say never.

Thanks.

 

If you are loaded outside, 99% of the time you will be loaded from the side. It all really depends on what you are hauling. If you are loading steel, some places you will have to bump a dock, but they will usually load you with an overhead crane. You probably won't have to worry about being loaded from the rear by a forklift because it is too dangerous.

 

In my last 3 years I bumped a dock 3 times with my covered wagon. Most was side with forklift and in steel mills alot for OH crane. Boy are they fast. If you go to Alcoa Aluminum they expect you to get your boards and have them ready when you get in the bldg. You then get the bill for what you are loading and place the board for yourcoils or sheets and nail them down so buy a framing hammer an a nail bar and dont drive the nails all the way in, leave the heads sticking out.






Im retired. I miss trucking like one hog missses another at the trough.