Where can I save money/cut corners on securement equipment?

Buying good new equipment once is better than hoping the used stuff is OK.

Most of my gear is 8+ years of use now. Straps and bungees are the only thing that has to be replaced usually. Straps can last a long time if you just make sure to pad them properly and store them inside somewhere. Most of my Straps are at least 3-5 years old. Been using the same chains and binders for about 10 Years now. Just oil the binders every time I use them.

 

Tell us your inframe cost plz im curious and which engine make . Thx.

 

O'tay

 

Check out TarpHaus out of Chicago if you’re close by. They have some decent prices

 

Yep. When I got started, I bought my chains and binders used. 10 chains and binders for $100. Bought 2 headache racks used. First one was open for $100, driver had a bad day at the casino. Second a three door enclosed for $300. Wasn’t even scratched up inside. Was at the Hook in Baytown and guy did a sell over the CB. We unhooked the rack and pushed it onto my trailer and I strapped it down.

The chains were dog chain, but the stuff was just to get me started. Soon, the dog chain was replaced by 3/8 and 1/2 with 3/8-1/2 binders. And soon, I would do like everyone else, ever time you need straps, buy them by the case at a trailer supply place or the dealer for 1/4 the price the truck stops want. The only thing I will buy at a truck stop is fuel. Everything else has an insane markup.

 

Lets talk about the amount of unnecessary crap on that list.

You dont need to carry a bunch of tarps. Start out with 2 6ft drops. Ive never needed more than 15 4" straps and I have 12 on my trailer currently. Maybe 2 or 3 2" ratchet straps for just in case spots. A box of 50 bungees is fine. You can hold down 2 tarps easily with less than 50 bungees. 30 edge protectors, even the small ones are fine. The big ### ones just take up too much room. I went a lot of years with out needing coil racks. Infact didnt even need them till this last year and I only even needed 4 or 6. Then I only hauled coils about 8 times. Chains/binders, 10 is plenty. I currently have 7, but bought 8 more from a friend who lost his truck, 8 chains/binders for $200. Unless you're hauling equipment constantly you dont need a bunch of chains & binders.

You can score a head rack for like $300-400 all day. I have one and personally I thinks its a waste.

Ive all manner of flatbed and stepdeck freight and after 8yrs the above is what I use on a daily basis. I have extra straps, a 4" ratchet, pocket and portable winches, but the majority of it has been scored for free. I dont even carry tarps any more and I have 8 of them lol.

And that list looks like the standard Landstar, Bennett, Admiral Merchants list.

 

Yea they all "require" it because they wanna sell you $3500 of stuff that isnt needed.

Running open deck isnt some voodoo art. You're gonna get stuck running a bunch of heavy building products. You buy all that they "require" and in a year you'll be pulling half of it out of your truck going "what a waste of $".