Hard work?

Absolutely. The best thing about flatbedding is that when you meet some pretty good people. I ate lunch with a TSH driver and a brand spanking new Machinery Transport rookie.

Good times.

 

It can be hard work, even if you know what you're doing.

I was hauling concrete rail-ties locally recently, because I was towing a double-drop (meaning no winches for the straps) I had to use 4-inch straps with D-rings and chains on the end and the large ratchets for 4-inch straps (we couldn't run chains over the ties). Using these sort of straps require a lot more climbing around than a tossing a 4-inch strap over and pulling it through the winch. After five rounds that day I was just beat, my back and my legs were killing me. Doing similar work hauling concrete barriers on a flatbed was nowhere near the intensity. But, as the day progressed and I was able to develop more and more of a system. After a few loads knowing the best places to hook, as well as keeping the straps in order so I could re-hook the same straps in the same positions (meaning, I only had to re-hook versus starting from square one) and just tighten down and I was shaving more and more time off of how long it took to get a load strapped down. Even so, understand the other guys on the job who got to tow flatbeds and step-decks were still able to strap down much quick than me because it was toss it over, pull it through, and tighten down without needing to climb on the trailer. It also helped that the day got warmer and the mud would start shedding off the straps. It was a long day and I was beat, but, by the last couple of loads I had it down to a very specific system and was exerting minimal effort to get the load tied down.

Having a system and more and more experience with securing loads will make things easier and easier, but, it can still be physically intensive. Anytime you're throwing 10, 12, or more chains and straps on a load and its going to wear you out.

That being said, if you're former military you ought to be able to handle it.

 

Understandable.But this is rarely the reality.Look at it this way; a virgin knows tomorrow is the big night so calls and asks everyone in the phone book on what to look forward too..All set right? Nope.The experience is always different than talking about it. One has to get their feet "wet". Can I say that here?

 

View attachment 38263 This guy knows what you're talking about. He has to use a 4 inch ratchet and 30 foot strap as a seatbelt.

 

It's actually pretty sad that some people let themselves get this way.

 

Apply your military training ... Do everything in steps that will help a lot once you get the load on make a plan and work it...it becomes "hard work" when you jump on and off the trailer 50x or walk circles around the trailer ...eventually you will get to a point where you have done it so fast and efficiently you will question if you did it right....dont be afraid to ask other drivers questions about securement and LISTEN...good luck

 

http://www.practicalcargosecurement.com/

There's alot more job satisfaction in loading and securing a load on a deck vs sitting around a dock getting abused by a shipper/receiver. I could NEVER do van/reefer work>my time has too much value and that segment of the industry just doesn't seem to put much of a value on a man's time.

 

When flatbedding I can maintain my weight at 175-180 consistently year round. I pulled vans for 3 months over the summer and quickly went up to 210.

Given I ate the same as though I was still pulling flats, and didnt adjust my diet for the lack of movement.

 

One thing I've learned in my relatively young life as an independent o/o is to not be afraid of the unknown. If you have the will, a plan and the attitude to make a change in your life for the better then why not start yesterday?

To the OP, congrats! The guys in this thread are right when they talk about a "system". I'm in excellent shape myself, but when I started, the "older" dudes were kicking my ### when it came to how efficient they were working. To answer your question, bring some towels, have LOTS of water on hand, and an extra change of clothes, especially your first few months