For Experienced Flatbedders

youtube search "flatbed load securement" or similar. Lot of stuff there, some good, some not but you can glean a lot of good info there. A Google search should yield something too.

 

There are 1,000's of youtube videos on different types of load securement. Type in what type of load you want to secure and see what you come up with. There even some good ones or tarping.

 

First thing to do is learn the proper way to roll up straps, and "throw straps". There may be more then one way, but I only know of one way that works.

 

To many ways to secure loads. I have been doing it for 35 years and I get a load once in awhile that has me scratching my head on how im gonna secure it. But I get it done. Just look at the loads when your going down the road to get an idea. I always ask the shipper/loader when Im not sure, sometimes they know and times they dont. I learned 101 style, school of hard knocks. goodluck

 

A wannabe flatbedder? Say it isn't so!

The thing about pictures and whatnot is, there are a million things you can put on a flat and several ways to secure them. Just about every entry level flatbed outfit there is is going to hand you a book with pictures. They're going to hand you the DOT regs book. Be sure to read it. They're going to have you work on their yards. They will test you BEFORE you get on a trainers truck. They will test you again before they issue you your own truck. It's not hard...it's just not for the lazy. You want to know securement like the back of your hand.

Keep in mind, only the entry level companies drill securement into you. The companies that require experience will expect you to know them like you know your last name. Anyways, introduce yourself in the flatbed forum. I am sure one of the guys still have their books with pictures that they will probably let you have.

 

Subpart I starting at §393.100 of the FMCSR's will tell you what's legal. I'm surprised that your school has not issued you students the pocketbook of this important publication. I've only hauled heavy equipment so I know only that part. We always crisscrossed the chains and made sure there were enough chains for the weight. In the NAVY we would use a three axle single drop trailer. We'd drive a dozer or any other equipment all the way up so the blade pushed up against the single drop portion of the trailer. That was with medium size dozers like a D6-7, or TD20's. We knew our weight was always within legal limits or within permitted loads. Of course any equipment that scaled over had to be reduce if you could. That means a D-8 had to have the blade remove and so on. But the FMCSR's will cover any loads on what is required. However, it will not tell you specifically which direction to place the tie downs. That's where a little common sense comes in.

 

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/drivers-handbook-cargo-securement-introduction

Those 2 links are a good place to start. Most flatbedding companies that take newbies will train you how to do basic securement and tarping as well. Other than that there are books out there but I've never really read over them to see how good they are so can't recommend any off the top of my head. Best bet is if you aren't sure when you are loading something ask the folks loading you or watch/ask other drivers loading the same or similar commodities where you are loading at.