Tips and Tricks of flatbedding

DOW really needs to take some lessons from Firestone about shipping insulation. I'm sure you've been there.

Firestone heat shrinks the bundles so there is no tarping, no messing with taping stations, bungee hooks, and is a huge time saver for everyone. DOW is shooting themselves in the foot with 'saftey'.

 

Oh no, you pulled off the 2 big shinny's and went over to the dark side.

LOL, im just messing with ya.

I have noticed that is becoming more and more common on newer trucks, even van/reefer haulers. Lots of newer freightshakers I see with the weed burners, Cost saving maybe

 

Nah, it really is for the aero design. 2 8" pipes in the air catching that wind will really affect your mileage. Same with the external air cleaners. Anything that sticks out from the body will rob you of mpg.

 

Ok, my very limited 2 cents worth. On tarps I only use bungies to hold the ends together and the corners down. I have 250' 1/4 inch nylon rope that I tie to the rub rail then run up to carabiners that I leave in the bottom row of D-Rings and the bottom grommets. If you keep it tight as you are running it, it is a breeze. I keep my safety vest in my hard hat in the overhead compartment. I wear glasses so I can usually get away with out safety glasses. I have commercial edge protectors and V-Boards that I made from 2x4 and scrap 4" strap. I occasionally carry loads of ladders and landings for oil storage tanks. They are made entirely out of cut and folded sheet metal. After loosing MANY straps to being cut by them I special made some edge protectors from 1" Pex tubing cut 10" long and slit down the side with a band saw. They work just fine and I havent lost a strap since. I tried pieces of carpet scrap but the sharp edges chewed it to pieces. If I only have a couple of straps to wind I do it by hand, otherwise I use the cheap truck stop strap winder. Works just fine. A little WD-40 stops the squeek. I have 4 portable 4" ratchets that I cant live with out. A little WD-40 on them keeps them rolling just fine too. I never use a cheater bar on ratchets. I am 6' 250 lbs. I have enough leverage. I do use one for my 2 snap binders that I use for my pipe stakes. I also have 2 pieces of chain cut to length for them. No excess hanging out anywhere. I recently found a desk top organizer that holds all of my clipboards, tablets and kleenex. Love it. Lots of other little things that make every thing easier.

 

Mule Tape is used by electricians for pulling large wires through large conduit. The stuff is crazy strong and not to expensive.