Just purchased a 48 flatbed split axle. Chains and Straps?

With all due respect. if you'd had experience in hauling FB freight, you wouldn't need to ask this question on a forum, and you'd already know the answer to your question.

 

I don't fault the OP "overly much" for taking such a big leap. It WILL be a challenge for him, that's for sure. I've provided him with what I consider the minimum, for general freight and a bit of insight regarding pipe loads in particular.

I jumped into my current gig, running flatbed to the oil patch, as a company driver with only dry van and bed bugging experience to speak of. Sure, I had all the required securement equipment, but only three days to train. Then I was on my "own". I did have a great network of drivers and dispatchers experienced with load securement at my company. I could send them pictures and get advise. I watched YouTube videos and read through many load securement threads on this forum.

The OP has taken a LARGE step. But I think in another year he will be able to look back, as ALL of us have done, and remember loads he did perfect and loads that make him cringe. There are STILL loads I pull that I just can't wait to get off the deck, just too embarrassing to be seen pulling that ####.

The important thing is to ask the right questions. Whenever I pull into a shipper and say, "You want to put WHAT on my deck!!!???" That's when I either ask another experienced driver for suggestions or ask the forklift driver, "How do most drivers secure this"? But take that LAST bit of advise with a grain of salt and USE your knowledge of WLL to figure it out. I pulled a 26,000 lb diesel engine for the first time last year. The forklift driver said THEIR drivers just loop a single chain on either side, from same rail to same rail. Two chains. Not even close to covering WLL. I took time to get it right. That was a top heavy load. Yet I see THEIR drivers running it well south of legal. Not on my deck.

 

I second never taking the advice you get from forklift drivers as gospel, but I'd extend that to even the pros. Take it as advice and think it over while using your best judgement. Never rush and always do a final walk around.

 

I fault him for putting the general public at risk. Open deck work requires above average training and experience. A load falls over in a dry van no big deal. A piece of steel comes off a trailer, it can kill.

 

While I thanked your post, for obvious reasons, I think that much of open deck work comes down to "using your noggin" and "Procedure, Procedure, Procedure".

It would definitely be better if Ior the OP had previous open deck experience, before running solo pulling open deck loads. I didn't. I had little training. BUT I respected the #### out of what could happen and early on threw just about every available strap and/or chain. That got me banned from a customer, because I held up their operation (but that was also the first time I reorganized my securement to start becoming more efficient and won that customer back with a better job next time).

IMHO open deck requires good working knowledge of WLL and common sense. At times common sense seems to have been out of inventory when brains we're created. If the OP takes his time, studies WLL requirements, and develops a consistent procedure (including a final full walk around before pulling out with a load), he should be just fine.

Now if he starts bothering us with recommendations for the best paying freight...

...my lips are ####ing sealed.

 

The best response in the whole thread. As usual Lepton, great advice.

 

Exactly, most are already assuming the OP is an idiot and will fail miserably and possibly do major damage is setting every truck driver up for failure. Pass on knowledge of how to do the job bite your tongue when you want to tell anybody they shouldnt do something that will better themselves.

 

All of which should require training. Think of a 48k coil. Definitely not something we'd want rolling off a trailer. I'm not saying it can't be done because obviously it can. What I'm saying is we would all benefit if there was some sort of actual training requirements involved. HAZMAT comes immediately to mind. There's some primer and an associated test before you get an endorsement. Something similar to teach WLL, AWLLs, coil bunks, etc etc.

 

My entry into open deck work wasn't exactly filled with extensive training and ride alongs. Previously I'd just pulled dry vans and wood chip trailers.

Securement "training" where I work consisted of a really short power point presentation, then being shown the ropes by the driver I was taking over the truck from. Both were quite lacking in any type of quality.

Had to take it upon myself to use other resources to educate myself on the proper way of doing things, including asking questions here on TTR. I've done a lot of learning by doing, assisted by applying critical thinking skills and a dose of common sense. The truck and trailer are also better equipped now as well, thanks to me being proactive in improving myself and the operation.

 

Sometimes people forget where they came from. There’s a lot of good advice on TTR but there are also guys that were born with a lever binder in their hands and despise new people.

I had seven years of van experience when I switched to step deck. It’s definitely been a big challenge, but we’ll worth it. You can move any type of freight you want, as long as you remember that safety always comes first and if you don’t respect the load you’ll learn the hard way that you should have.

You’ll be amazed at how long it takes you to secure a load when you first get started. That’s ok. Take your time, ask questions, and do it right. You’ll also be amazed at how much faster you get as time goes on. Efficiency is the key to success.