? for Flatbeders
 

Been pulling reefers and cars all my life. So, I go out and buy this Wilson flatbed, with a side kit and the aero tarp (the one with the bows across the top). Its a nice trailer and I got a great deal on it. So, my question is this: When you're hauling your stuff with the side kit up, just how exactly do you strap down your load? Or do you not strap it down?

Re: ? for Flatbeders
 

the straps will go under the panels of the side kit.

Yup, Devil is correct. The straps go under then you hook on under the trailer floor, not the rub rail.

It depends on what you are hauling. If you have "D" rings or chains recessed in the bottom of your trailer, you can use those. If you want to use your straps, then you can run them underneath your panels. I use hand ratchets on a lot of things. Those can usually be used inside the trailer if you have the recessed chains or "D" rings. I have 2" and 4" hand ratchets. The nice thing about a side kit is that you can keep most of your equipment inside the trailer. There are some things that may not be necessary to secure. For instance, I have hauled fire hydrants and pipe which was secured to pallets. It wasn't necessary to secure it because the panels and sides would keep it on the trailer. It was like putting it in a van. With rare exceptions you will still need to secure your load with the usual straps or chains. I NEVER just put steel inside my kit without good securement. Most of the time unless it is something that is on pallets I secure it. I also have a plywood kit which is much stronger than one of the lightweight kits.

10-4 Thanks guys! It does have the recessed chains in the deck. Guess I'll be buying different straps too!

I wish I had recessed chains in the deck,...you suck :wink:

I wish I had a roof top A/C. You suck.

My genset crapped out on me a few weeks ago, so I hooked up to Idleair. It stunk so bad, I mean,...make you want to puke stench coming out of the vent. I finally gave up and plugged my roof AC into the outlet on the Idleair, and all was well.
I had perfect quiet sleep with no genset running. Only problem was that I had on driver with a refer and on the otherside an idling truck,..in the Idleair spot.

Ya, that rooftop A/C unit is the way to go for sure. I wish my huge RV dealer at home stocked them but they order each one on demand. I'll find a place one of these days.

The best sleep I get is when I load up at some out of the way place like last night. I was parked in the middle of nowhere next to a cattle field. When I woke up, it was pitch black outside and not a sound other than the crickets.

If you buy the hand ratchets I would suggest getting the ones with chains on the ends rather than the flat hooks. It works better inside the kit.