New to Flatbedding

I have also had a shipper secure the load. I picked up a load of tractors and trenching equipment, I got out the chains and binders along with my rubber padding and they tied down the equipment. I watched and made sure they were doing it right and they way I want it down but these guys do this everyday so they new what they were doing. When I got to the dealer in Houston they sent out four guys from the shop to unsecure the load and unload it. I liked loads like that.

 

Yes there are two (2) ways of learning the easy way or the hard way its good that you've chosen the right path no one usually minds someone asking a question no matter how ridiculous it may sound. We had a motto at our company " It is better to ask a stupid question than to make a fatal mistake."
I drove down Immigrant pass a few weeks back Into Oregon on the I - 84 i was shocked at 2 things first the fact that no trucks pulled up to check there brakes and second the fact that even though the sign clearly indicates speed to weight ration going down the mountain 100 % of trucks chose to completely ignore the sign i was in a 4 wheeler at the time and i had a job actually passing these trucks that's how fast they were going all i can say it is just a matter of time before someones brakes fail big time.

 

How are you going to get experience hauling coils if you don't haul them? Ask a reefer hauler how to back up, I have seen so many reefer and van guys that couldn't hit the dock when they were backing in straight and some that couldn't hit a parking space with their axles all the way forward. So I guess it doesn't matter what your pulling some drivers back real good and some need more practice.

 

a narrow cab (pete's and KW's) and stacks sure make backing harder then in a FL/Volvo/etc with a rear stack where you can just look out the window and go.




American Trucker

 

There is way too much to learn about flatbedding in the real world than you could possibly get reading a forum. Simple advice: watch old timers, learn from them and ask questions. MOST old flatbedders are more than willing to give you legitimate help, just be kind and smart enough to at least offer to help them when it comes time to roll up their tarps or something.

Also, with today's tech devices like tablets, and smart phones, it wouldn't hurt to start taking pics of various loads for you to refer back to.

My last piece of advice is that when you think you're all done securing a load, take the extra 60 seconds and walk around your truck ONE more time to double check everything before heading out on the highway. Trust me, sooner or later this will save your butt!

 

Good advise, always get a routine when loading or unloading. I went 600 miles once hoping my winch bar was somewhere under the tarp and not in somebody's windshield. Also, a lot of flats are spread axles, you can't turn them like a closed tandem. Backing into a space at the truckstop is very difficult if your heavy on the spread. Once your turned sharp it is real hard to back up.

 

I know some of you company drivers don't have much of a choice when it comes to spread axle trailers, but if your spread has a dump valve (all spreads should have dump valves) then you need to learn to use it when turning. Much easier on your equipment, not to mention a huge tire saver!

 

notes are very good. I check out any flatbed load in a truckstop I see. If the driver is avalible I talk to him/her. I also use a digital camera to to take pictures to review and study. I'm just say in'.

 

I used to secure loads while in the Army and carry with me to this day something my first PSG told me. "When it is good, do it again."

 

I was suprised to see that our's do not have dump valves....oh well.