Flatbed question

[finger_lakes]

I'm thinking of going into trucking and am interested in flatbeds. I've learned a ton of stuff reading this forum. Can anyone comment about the physical aspects of being a flatbed driver especially regarding loading, unloading and load securement? Thanks.

[wot i life]

I'm thinking of going into trucking and am interested in flatbeds. I've learned a ton of stuff reading this forum. Can anyone comment about the physical aspects of being a flatbed driver especially regarding loading, unloading and load securement? Thanks.

Pulling flatbeds can be extremely demanding-for instance if you go to load haybales then you,ll have to climb on top of the load and roll out your sheets(tarps?) and then secure them too, not just the load. Can you rope n sheet? If not, you could struggle at first. Good luck to you though. Keep us posted :wink:

[Mack2]

I'm thinking of going into trucking and am interested in flatbeds. I've learned a ton of stuff reading this forum. Can anyone comment about the physical aspects of being a flatbed driver especially regarding loading, unloading and load securement? Thanks.

Pulling flatbeds can be extremely demanding-for instance if you go to load haybales then you,ll have to climb on top of the load and roll out your sheets(tarps?) and then secure them too, not just the load. Can you rope n sheet? If not, you could struggle at first. Good luck to you though. Keep us posted :wink:

Wot just to let you know not verry often around here do you haul haybales as most of the farmers have there own trucks.

Securing the load isn't that bad but having climbing and physical agility is a must. You will have to climb up on some type of odd load. I suppose you could carry an extension ladder and that would solve the problem.

I did see a very fat man once with a flatbed and the tarp was stuck on the top. I knew there was NO WAY he could climb up there. I figured I would finish what I was doing then go help. When I was ready I noticed he threw a rope over the whole load and tied it to the bottom of the tarp. From the other side he pulled the tarp up and over the obstruction.

[GoldiesPlating]

It's not as bad as everyone makes it seem. Yes you SHOULD be able to climb atop your load, but you CAN carry a light ladder too. Securing the load (to me) is a fun challenge every time and makes the day go by just a little quicker. I wouldn't ever trade my skateboard for a van! The money is good too!

[Jimbpard]

It's not as bad as everyone makes it seem. Yes you SHOULD be able to climb atop your load, but you CAN carry a light ladder too. Securing the load (to me) is a fun challenge every time and makes the day go by just a little quicker. I wouldn't ever trade my skateboard for a van! The money is good too!

Well said. Many here make you think that you have to be an olympic athlete to haul flatbed freight, but in reality thats not the case. As mentioned before, you can use a ladder if need be. I also feel the same about it being a fun challange and making time go buy a little quicker. Even when its pouring down rain or snow and I'm out there strapping down, I still would much rather drive flatbed than a van trailer. Also, I would suggest that when looking for companies, ask if they are "no tarp freight" or even ask what percentage of the freight requires tarping. Strapping is realitivley easy. Tarping is what cause most of the aggrevation IMO.

[xroofer]

i drive flatbed also im a big guy and climb all over the loads. lowes have the best loads . afraid NOT. you cant be scared of heights . tarping in the rain and snow is not bad you just move a little faster. good luck.

[GMAN]

I have pulled flats for several years. It can be physically demanding at times. It isn't the securement as much as the tarping that can get you. Most shippers will put the tarps on top of the load for you, but you must be able to unroll it and pull it in place. Once unloaded you will also need to fold it and put it on the trailer. Again, most shippers and/or receivers are willing to put the tarp on your trailer with a fork lift. When it is hot or cold, it can be a bit more of a challenge dealing with the elements. Having said all of that, I would not want to pull anything else. Once you get used to how things work, it will be much easier for you. There may be times in which you will need to climb on top of a load of lumber to tarp. Flats tend to haul a lot of steel. Those are usually not too high. Now if you want something that is REALLY physically demanding, pull a car hauler. Now that can be physically demanding. :wink:

[inmate1577]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

[ssoutlaw]

I'm thinking of going into trucking and am interested in flatbeds. I've learned a ton of stuff reading this forum. Can anyone comment about the physical aspects of being a flatbed driver especially regarding loading, unloading and load securement? Thanks.

Pulling flatbeds can be extremely demanding-for instance if you go to load haybales then you,ll have to climb on top of the load and roll out your sheets(tarps?) and then secure them too, not just the load. Can you rope n sheet? If not, you could struggle at first. Good luck to you though. Keep us posted :wink:

Wot just to let you know not verry often around here do you haul haybales as most of the farmers have there own trucks.

Thats not true at all, Hay makes a good back haul. Its still done young man...lol

[ssoutlaw]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

If you pay attention, you wont get killed or hurt! You can get hurt just as bad, getting hit by a forklift and freight falling top of you. I guess some think the safest job is the best hell nothing is safe anymore!
If you’re happy making less because you’re scared you might get hurt, then have at it, more for the rest of us anyway...lol
MOOOOOOOOO, MOOOOOOOOO,MOOOOOOOO.....lol
I had to do it, sorry, it struck me funny.... lol MOOO

Besides I have never tarped anything in the rain, or snowstorm that could not get wet, Maybe under a pole barn or some type of cover. You learn to adapt and overcome. Have a little adventure in your soul!!!!!

[coastie]

I always enjoyed flatbeds, but it to much for me over all. Straping the loads no problem. tarping always my down fall. But there is other types of trailers that can be close to it. Curtain sides and also The Covered Wagons. Still some challenges but looks to be easier.

Con's of those would be oversize loads. Takes that option away.

I haul a lot of crane's to get out of New England. These are those stationary cranes with a hoist that moves back and forth. They consist of big I beams then a variety of stuff put on top. Each crane is different and a tarp job from Hell because it's up, down, left and right and very odd angles. I unrolled the tarps and was at the back of the trailer on top when I realized I was 13' up in the air and no way to climb down the back. I had to make my way to the front on my hands and knees trying to feel for places to put my feet. It was not fun.

I've learned to chain these loads down and use most of my straps to hold the tarp down. I've only had 1 load of lumber that was square and my 8 foot drop tarps fit perfect. I didn't want to deliver it but instead ride around proud of how nice it looked. I'm not a fan of tarping for sure!!!

[inmate1577]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

If you pay attention, you wont get killed or hurt! You can get hurt just as bad, getting hit by a forklift and freight falling top of you. I guess some think the safest job is the best hell nothing is safe anymore!
If you’re happy making less because you’re scared you might get hurt, then have at it, more for the rest of us anyway...lol
MOOOOOOOOO, MOOOOOOOOO,MOOOOOOOO.....lol
I had to do it, sorry, it struck me funny.... lol MOOO

Besides I have never tarped anything in the rain, or snowstorm that could not get wet, Maybe under a pole barn or some type of cover. You learn to adapt and overcome. Have a little adventure in your soul!!!!!

Scared? Hardly. I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years, I go skydiving and whitewater rafting so I'll pick my poison and tarping someone elses crap aint my choice. I maybe making less money, but I'm also doing 90% less labor.

BTW...I've driven flatbed for TMC and tarped loads and chained coil and greasy bar. So no matter what the pay is, there is nothing that attracts me to chaining coil in 100 degree heat and 90% humidity.

Hook and go, dont fall for the hype of flatbedding.

[ssoutlaw]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

If you pay attention, you wont get killed or hurt! You can get hurt just as bad, getting hit by a forklift and freight falling top of you. I guess some think the safest job is the best hell nothing is safe anymore!
If you’re happy making less because you’re scared you might get hurt, then have at it, more for the rest of us anyway...lol
MOOOOOOOOO, MOOOOOOOOO,MOOOOOOOO.....lol
I had to do it, sorry, it struck me funny.... lol MOOO

Besides I have never tarped anything in the rain, or snowstorm that could not get wet, Maybe under a pole barn or some type of cover. You learn to adapt and overcome. Have a little adventure in your soul!!!!!

Scared? Hardly. I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years, I go skydiving and whitewater rafting so I'll pick my poison and tarping someone elses crap aint my choice. I maybe making less money, but I'm also doing 90% less labor.

BTW...I've driven flatbed for TMC and tarped loads and chained coil and greasy bar. So no matter what the pay is, there is nothing that attracts me to chaining coil in 100 degree heat and 90% humidity.

Hook and go, dont fall for the hype of flatbedding.

You’re right; it’s not for a LAZY man. Sit in your truck and watch yourself get fatter by the day...lol all so you don’t have to do much work....lol
Where do you get a job that is only 10% driving and 90% work, neverland...lol

Don’t contradict yourself, riding motorcycles which I have done sense I was a kid, and skydiving are not dangerous, hell you do them for free, wait you pay for that danger, you are scared I believe IT!!!!!!

[devildice]

I've only had 1 load of lumber that was square and my 8 foot drop tarps fit perfect. I didn't want to deliver it but instead ride around proud of how nice it looked.

[GoldiesPlating]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

Curious as to WHAT shipper loads sheetrock in the snow??? Loading/tarping on moisture sensitive loads are done INDOORS.

[Mack2]

I'm thinking of going into trucking and am interested in flatbeds. I've learned a ton of stuff reading this forum. Can anyone comment about the physical aspects of being a flatbed driver especially regarding loading, unloading and load securement? Thanks.

Pulling flatbeds can be extremely demanding-for instance if you go to load haybales then you,ll have to climb on top of the load and roll out your sheets(tarps?) and then secure them too, not just the load. Can you rope n sheet? If not, you could struggle at first. Good luck to you though. Keep us posted :wink:

Wot just to let you know not verry often around here do you haul haybales as most of the farmers have there own trucks.

Thats not true at all, Hay makes a good back haul. Its still done young man...lol

Dang I sure didn't know that.

[fyafighter]

flatbedding isnt as hard as people make it out to be if
1 you arnt lazy 2 you dont mind a little work out
physicly they arnt that hard just alot moving and pulling and some climbing but not alot unless you get allot of tall lumber loads

i went from driving a local dump truck to pulling a flat, if you find the right place (i recommend maverick or tmc ( i like mav cause they have been good to me)) they will teach you the easiest ways to secure and tarp any load. I hardly ever wait to get loaded and when i do its cause im there early and wait no longer then 30min to a hour to unload, cause places want what i am bringing them, my miles are as much as i want to run, last week was 3100, next week im starting off with 1100 and will still have 2 days home this weekend.

dont let people scare you flat beding is not hard if you dont mind working for 30-40 mins a to load and half that to unload.

Griz

[fyafighter]

Drop and hook is the only way to go.
I dont care how much the pay is , it aint worth it to me to risk getting hurt or killed tarping sheetrock in a snowstorm in Iowa.

Curious as to WHAT shipper loads sheetrock in the snow??? Loading/tarping on moisture sensitive loads are done INDOORS.

lol, never been there myself, but most sheet rock is loaded, {and if bad weather] tarped inside