List of Items to Make a Flatbed Drivers Life Easier
 

Hi guys, I begin my driving career on Oct 8th at Arrow most likely. Was wondering if there are some things I should purchase before going out on the road that would make my life easier; such as items that make tarping or chaining loads easier. Also, clothing, shoes, and things like that. I really appreciate the help. I want to go into this armed with the equipment I need to secure loads safely and professionally, yet be able to save a little time. Thanks for your help.

Steel toed shoes, coveralls, hardhat, good sense of balance, some common sense... and a box of babywipes.

Best of Luck in your new venture!!

A decent flash light with extra batteries.
WD40 or PB Blaster for your ratchets & chains.
A few pair of "Bronco" brand gloves (if you can find em)
A ski mask.
Regular hammer.
Small roll of tie wire & cutters.
A decent rain coat or cheap ponco..Depending how important staying dry is to you.
If you wear contacts or glasses, always a extra pair, and extra solution/cases.
And my most important of all......A Carhartt "ShirtJac"

Hope this helps.

Strap winder.
Square edge protectors.
Strap pusher.
Make a edge protector installer.
Small bungiees for straps.

One thing I liked was a fifth wheel puller for difficult tarping jobs. Comes in handy for all sorts of things. Also, a 4' (roughly) section of heavy iron pipe for popping snap binders into place. Believe me, I've had some bad (very bad) experiences using winch bars to pop snap binders into place.

A tanker... :lol:

If you are a total newbie and will be going out with a trainer I would not worry about purchasing too many items until you get your own truck.

Steel toed boots with a skid resistant sole are a must.

Cover alls. 2 sets...one insulated and one uninsulated.

UTurn is right wait until you get your own truck to buy things, the winch bar, strap winder, helmet, disposable camera you can get through the company,
some shippers/receivers require a safety vest, safety glasses and long-sleeved shirt, hearing protection in addition to the steel-toed shoes . . . when you get your truck go over to wal-mart and pick up some tarp bungees (the one's with the ball on the end) to keep your straps neat in the box . . .
cambuckle straps to keep your tarps rolled up and 1 inch ratcheting straps to secure them to your headache rack . . .
I have an adjustable folding ladder from Lowes that cost about $99 and it fits in my belly box . . .
unless you like to fly 90# kites I would suggest a couple of ankle weights that you can attach to the bottom ends of your tarps . . .
we haul a lot of aluminum for ALCO or SAPA and they're requiring us to use rope on the ends (front/back) of our tarps to prevent damage
hope that helped some

Helper.

One thing for sure is a long sleeve shirt.Most steel mills REQUIRE one before you enter the plant.Your trainer will tell you what you need.Good Luck.