Flatbedding essentials

I'm looking to get back into OD/OS stuff again, but thankfully I will be running a RGN if I do, and mainly machinery. I forgot how much flat-bedding sucked LOL..... no really, I forgot how tough it was.

 

lumber generally sucks most pay under a $1.50 a mile if thats all you have to haul your backing up

 

Generally lumber I see in my area pays around $2.00 per loaded mile, but it is almost always all tarped and 48,000 pounds.

 

Don't give up on flat beddin yet. You may be able to find some equipment for sale from someone retiring from flat bedding, or someone that has excess, or spares they are looking to sell. Is that your flatbed in the photo? If you don't have one yet, I have found some flatbeds that are for sale come with the equipment as well. You just have to keep an eye out for them.

I did some searchin for you in regards to flatbed equipment, and here is some stuff I found:

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/2379854807.html

http://gulfport.craigslist.org/tls/2333188519.html

http://youngstown.craigslist.org/for/2318062284.html

http://stcloud.craigslist.org/mat/2320476509.html

http://youngstown.craigslist.org/cto/2323288902.html

Can you experienced flatbedders check out some of these links and see if the prices are right too.

Good luck Wildcat.

 

Woo hoo! Congrats Wildcat. Are you going to be short haulin and day cabbin it, or are you gonna long haul it with a little motel behind you?

 

That's right, you are in CA. Useless regulations that only hurt truck drivers (among many other businesses). They forget that there are folks out there that would like to go into business, or are in business but don't have buckets of money to throw at new trucks. Their intentions are ignoble at best. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and these politicians are running them pavers on hyperdrive. It's a wonder why the state is bankrupt like many others. What if you are based out of another state? Would the proposed regulations prohibit one from entering the state if the truck doesn't meet the CA regulations?

Why not go for a larger sleeper? Are you going to stick with Peterbilt's? That one you got looks good. What are the specs on your rig? I myself like Kenworths, but Pete's sure are nice.

 

What you need for tie-down gear depends on what you're gonna haul which will depend a lot on who you plan to work for. You will not succeed working the load boards in your area. You need to find a reliable broker to hook up with if you want to do a lumber based operation in Nor Cal.

You can probably start with 15 straps, some corner protectors and a good set of 6 or 8 ft drop lumber tarps. I've probably hauled 2 loads that needed any kind of chains in the past 3 years. 3/8 poly is legal in California, I like to have about 4 25-30 ft ropes of it to cross tie the ends of loads.