Post flatbed load photos here V2.0

Steel beams to Oregon (they didn’t want chains) so used 14 straps. Got to test that securement out in Idaho when 84 went from 80 to 0 real quick. I didn’t have to lock them up because I keep some pretty good following distance but that lil car #### near smacked that van in front of me.

Almost got hung out in Oregon over Holiday due to a broker trying to pull some shady stuff but in the end worked out better than planned with a different broker and better load. (Side note, drove through Portland and man what a trash hole, last time I was there was late 80s and although a haven for runaways etc was nothing like it is today. Saw a lot of signs in eastern Oregon wanting to join Idaho lol)

Then some Misc tarped junk back towards Texas via Albuquerque. Have to do a 34 tomorrow so I’m gonna stretch that tarp a lil tighter and try some of this bungee rope. Shipper was closing and itching for me to leave so I’m gonna spruce that up.

 

It's not just Portland. Most of the pnw has gone downhill in recent years. The whole west coast needs to just fall in the ocean and take its inhabitants with it.

 

No comment.

 

That tarp looks pretty #### tight to me.

 

So I probably should have posted the first pic to the flatbed hall of shame and pretty much snitched myself out on my first tarp job lol.I got to the shipper and was thinking I was going to have some time to get the tarp on right.Threw the straps and got the edge protectors on and was about to tighten them down when the shipper comes out and says that the forecast is showing rain in the next 15 minutes and to throw the tarps on now.Got the tarps on and didn’t even get to finish securing all four corners before it started to pour down and I did the best I could in the rain.Ended up completely soaked with boots full of water lol.it looked like crap so I took everything off yesterday afternoon and did it all again to get some practice and do a better job.Nowhere near perfect but with time and practice I’ll do better.

 

It looks good.

Next time shipper says the tarp needs to be done in 15 minutes in the pouring rain, tell them 4 hands are better then 2... And watch how quick they walk away.... Take ur time, no rush no hurry.. When u build up a little extra spending money. Splruge on a good pair of rain pants and waterproof jacket as well. Waterproof boots are even better... It sucks tarping in the rain but u did a good job..

The rain gear will keep u dry so u wont be so focused on trying to go fast as possible to not get soaked... That is when bad stuff happens. Trust me it dont feel good falling off the deck to the pavement below

 

I guess I should have mentioned that I did have a poncho and waterproof boots but my pants got so soaked that the water ran down my legs and into my boots.I’m definitely going to have to get better rain gear.
So if the product would have got wet before I got the tarp on who would have been responsible for the cabinet grade boards being damaged?
Also if I would have not had the straps thrown over the load and I would have been told to get the tarp on because the rain was coming would it have been better to get the tarp on and then strap over the tarp? I know it’s frowned upon because it’s not aesthetically pleasing but if it would have rained any sooner I would have been screwed.

 

If the freight is loaded in the rain and they make you tarp it. Always write on the BOL " freight loaded when wet/raining" then take pictures to cover yourself. Maybe even get shipper to sign their initials next to it... give customer a call ahead and let them know the shipper is loading you in the rain... whatever u have to do to get ahead of the blame game and finger pointing bs that will happen if you dont do anything... remeber u are a truck driver so the blame will always go back to u by default. But this way the shipper is responsible for loading the freight wet ... pictures and even video goes along ways... i have made videos of water falling out of the sky, onto the freight with me commentating in the background what is going on in the video, as to leave no resposibility on my part for wet freight.

as for the tarping part... it is up to you on how u want to do it.. There has been times where im cold and wet and dont want to tarp and will do a good enough job just to get down the road and into some more favorable weather....

Honestly it is up to you on how u want to do it. But whatever u do just make sure to cover yourself with pictures and videos and writing on bol if u ever get loaded in the rain. I even do it for freight that doesnt need tarped.

 

I’m really surprised that they would be loading cabinet grade outside with rain on the horizon. What do they do if it’s raining? Load inside somewhere or wait until it’s done? Where is the product kept?