Loss of time... Must move now!

Dont be afraid to make mistakes either, flatbedding is all about learning, theres guys out here been doing flatbed for 40 years and they are still thinking about how to do something better/more efficiant...i rmemeber when i was just starting out, i was delivering a load of glass and there was another driver that was behind me, i started taking off my tarps and he comes over to help as we get the tarps spread out and ready to fold up he saw a couple rips here and there asked if i had any material to fix them i said no and i dont know how to fix them.. so he goes back to his truck and gets some materials and shows me how to patch my tarps like a pro , after we were done he offered me all his tarp patches and glue to keep for the future... here was a guy in his 70s helping a young dumb kid, he easily couldve done nothing and sat in his truck and watched me work and i wouldnt have thought any different of it... Ive always been grateful for that moment and anytime i see somebody struggling i offer a helping hand even if i really should be hitting the road...Theres alot of guys out here like that. Thats one of the things i love about flatbed is most of us stick together. if u see an old man pulling a flatbed, strike up a conversation with him, im sure he could teach u some things and definatly will have the coolest stories , and once u get the hang of it, if u see someone struggling, dont be afraid to lend a helping hand and pass it on,, but more importantly just take your time and do things the correct way, you will be thankfull for taking the time when u have to lockup them brakes with a load of beams or pipes , #### happens real fast sometimes and if u cut corners in your securement then you can be guranteed when u lock em up that loads gonna cut ur truck in half and take your head with it, good luck in your adventures and happy flatbedding

 

That is a very good start. TripleSix has been around a day, or two. He may be old, but he's wise. Following his advice will do nothing but take you to a higher level.

 

You know, it's funny. I've spent most of my 30 years running open-deck stuff in most every configuration imaginable and we most always helped each other, if needed. We would at least ask if it looked like someone was struggling. For the last few years, I've been dragging a reefer (something I swore I'd never do again after pulling the first one in 1989, but, whatever...) and I've noticed that that camaraderie is absent in this part of the industry. Maybe reefer drivers have always been that way, I don't know, but I do miss that flatbed feelin'.

 

Something I'd like to add; Always check your securement and, after checking it, check it again. Be aware of your height, too. Hitting a bridge sucks. Trust me on this. After you've loaded and have gone down the road a ways, stop and check again. Things will settle and maybe even shift a bit and the straps or chains or both will loosen up. I always checked my load every time I stopped.

I realize this advice might be a bit premature, since you aren't flatbedding, yet, but, forewarned is forearmed.

 

Honest talk...

You and the ex will ALWAYS be tied together because of the kid. Even when the kid is grown. You're not together anymore, but the best chance for your kid to be something in life will happen when you and the ex get on the same page about the kid.

See, if you're strict, but mama is lenient, the kid won't have stability. Things like drugs and sex and education and video games. If mama is doing a decent job as a parent, back her. Don't fight her, don't undermine her to win the favor of the kid. That's a mistake. Now, if she's a bad person, you fight her. That being said, unless the ex is abusive, never say any disparaging remarks to your kid about mom.

BTW, your situation on the homefront is your business, and I don't need to know any more. I would, however, simplify things. If the court allows you visitation, get your visitation. That should be the only discussion that you and the ex have. That should cut off the majority of the drama that both of you are having. And her punk husband shouldn't be mentioned in any conversations.

 

And check that strap or chain every few hours. You would be surprised how fast that onery oil pipe can work stuff loose and try to escape.

Flatbed requires another skill. My take on it.

One large Mc Donalds coffee cup no lid. Fill it. (Marbles is best for no mess...) set it ahead of your shifter on the cab floor.

Drive.

Don't you spill it.

 

What if hes not a McDonald's coffee drinker tho?

 

Lot of good advice from drivers that care, there's a lot of that amongst flatbedders. Stressing the check and check again.And when you get down the road a few miles, pull over and check some more. I always use a 3lb hammer on my chains, especially at the bends to get that last bit of slack out of them. Always be extra careful when you're doing anything at face level, that's where you can really get damaged. Take your time, try to do everything right and always remember the freight doesn't get there until you get there and dispatchers lie, lie, lie. As far as you're child, Six's advice was spot on, just let him know, everything you're doing you're doing for him, and of course you're Dad and always will be. Good luck in you're endeavors and don't sweat the small sheet.

 

What if he has an auto trans.. Lol my auto truck would spill that coffee before i even got out of my parking spot

 

Alright, already with the f*****g McDonald's coffee.