winches

10 per side is close enough. Make sure there sliders.

 

Flat or step. 10 on each side sliding is good.

 

Put them all on one side makes checking them all a lot easier

 

I vote 20 sliders on the drivers side. Winch track right from the front to back.

Plus chain pulls

 

It’s best having them on both sides. Have you not had a load that leans towards one side ? That’s when you can pull the tie downs towards the opposite side. And, have you not hauled a load where it’s best to secure from both sides ? I have a few straps that have no ends,(loop, steel flat j, etc), This way you tie down for both sides. And how does having all of them on one side Benefit you ? Don’t you twist your straps driver ? You must be new.

 

My boss gets them all on the driver’s side and I sure wish they were alternating instead. I agree it is nice being able to check them all from one side, storing all your straps on the same side, etc. But it sure would be nice to be able to have some pulling the opposite direction.

 

@Diesel Dave knows how to tie down flatbed freight. In addition to the straps with no ends on them, I also had a couple 40' straps with no ends. I used these to gut wrap some of that loose crap they want to load.

Sliding winches on both sides is the only way to go.

 

Just what my dad's always said, all I've ever hauled on a flatbed was straw and steel but I can see what you mean about leaning loads though. Guess when I was about knee high he always said not to twist the straps any, but now he does give them a twist.

 

I been doing skateboarding (flatbed for you newbies) since 1979, with the exception of a couple of years when I became O/O. So skateboards is all I know. And some loads are challenging and you adjust to that. When you have a flatbed that has the tools that can make your job easier, it’s a plus.

 

The right tools usually helps a bit and makes life a little easier too