Newbie Flatbedder needs advice!

Even with all the challenges that the others here have mentioned such as
tarping, securing, making sure it is loaded right on the trailer, dot regs as
far as securment and such I WOULD NOT pull anything else....

With pulling skates the challenge of figuring out how to secure a load that
makes you stand back and look at it and say to yourself "how the hell am
I going to keep this on the trailer is what drives me. And a few other things
such as
- not many loads are the same
- getting loaded and unloaded fairly quickly
- receivers are usually very happy to see you
- no bumping docks
- getting to go off roading to construction sites and such
- the feeling of having a very challenging load look good on the
trailer going down the road
- no lumpers
- getting to see things and go places you would never be able to
pulling a van
-
-AND MOST OF ALL THE BROTHER HOOD OF FLAT BEDDERS

Flatbedders are a different kind of breed, it takes a special kind of person
to do what we do and do it right. We stick together and are more than willing
to help anyone out not just our own. Anytime you are having trouble securing
a load more than likely another skater will offer ideas on how to do it or help
you do it.

There are too many things to list why I would not want to pull anything
else but I would NOT unless something beyond my control forced me to.

 

I'm going to have to use that one. MIne has been "I've peed on more pavement than you've driven on".

 

For myself i like the fact all i have to do is look into my mirrors and see my load.....
My advice to any one driving flats is check your freight often....
I check the load securement after i pull out of the shipper immediately then 15 miles and then in 25 miles if it has not loosened up i will go 1.5 hours and also checking my mirrors frequently.....
When it comes to tarped loads i will check in the beginning the same way but every hour....
Pyramid pipes and coils ....watch your self
strip and strap make sure you secure each and every level.....
Machinery ..... If you are unsure get help or make an phone call your flatbed company , if any good, should have an support group. I.e. Mentoring system to help you. Once you get good at your job you should always help the other guy as well...
Flat bed drivers is an brotherhood ...... I cant say every flat bed driver helps out each other but like me there is a lot of us out here that would get our butts out of the warm truck on an bad day and help another struggling. No matter what company that person drives for.....
Tarping basonite in wyoming on an snowy - 10 degrees in 45 mph winds is not fun..... Untarping icy tarps feels like folding card board.....
Its dangerous, its fun, its tough, at the end of the day its worth it!!!!