We kept our headache racks. If we're loading lumber or rebar or something that sticks out past the front of the trailer they can keep a clumsy forklift driver from bashing the back of the cab. They don 't weigh much for the protection they offer.
I didn't know they were ever cool but then again I don't keep up with the cool. If I had a place for my chains and binders I would take mine off to save the 100 lbs. I'm not dragging my chains out of a box every time I need them.
Flatbedding out of SE PA leaves you a lot of cheap freight coming out to get into the better paying MidWest lanes. Those steel loads out of Fairless Hills and the ports don't pay very well at all, due to the high number of trucks trying desperately to get OFF the eastern seaboard. Even running Alcoa freight out of Lancaster is garbage rate. And the wait times at the ports and Alcoa can screw up an entire week. Fairless Hills isn't bad on wait times (being US Steel and all), but the rates are still garbage. I wouldn't waste my time with a flatbed out there, honestly. Van and reefer rates aren't much better, from what I understand. Maybe doing tanker? Either food grade or HazMat?
Independent. I would like to run short hauls and run no more than 250 miles, less preferably. That radius extends up into Massachusetts, down to Virginia, and out to Pittsburgh. It has been quire a few years since I've delivered into New York City. I'm not sure if I really would want to take my own truck up there, though. I guess some of it depends on how much of a premium I could get for that.
The one I have weighs over 300lbs,but if you're flatbedding, there's nothing better for stowing your gear IMO.I don't see much skateboarding in my future,but you never know.
For a guy just starting out this would be the bare minimum equipment that will get you by to pull 90% of loads. 10 chains. 6 24 ft long 5/16ths grade 70 and 4 16 ft long 3/8ths grade 70. You want the 3/8ths for coils, and heavy machinery, nearly everything else the 5/16ths will be more than sufficient. 10 ratchet binders sized for your chains. 16 4 inch straps. 2 4 inch ratchet straps. 4 2 inch straps and ratchets. 2 16x24 steel tarps with 3 rows of d rings 2 24x24 tarps with flaps with 3 rows of d rings. 3 12x15 roofs of felt padding. 12 Steel edge protectors for chains. 24 12 inch plastic edge protectors for straps. That will get you started and you will add to it as you go.
