I just started with this small startup flatbed company in SoCal. I went and picked up their second 2002 FL Century from the dealer the other day, and took it to the yard in Hemet. I spent quite a bit of time squaring it away, stealing straps and binders from the other truck (found no tarps or coil racks and other stuff, not sure what they want to do about that). Bought two gallons of spare oil and a few other items that apparently they didnt realize you need to keep.
Finally greased the fifth wheel tonight and hooked up the trailer (with questionable tires). Of course, the trailer I'm going to drag has no storage boxes for gear. I crammed the new straps, ratchet binders, and chains in the side box of the tractor. NOT a good long term solution obviously. I looked up and remembered from my TMC days (all 45 of em), that we had a beautiful three cabinet chrome storage headache rack. I have NO RACK on this Freightshaker that they intend to have me drag a loaded skateboard with. Then I remembered something else: someone had told me once upon a time that headache racks were REQUIRED EQUIPMENT when pulling a flatbed. Is this true?
If it is in fact true, I'm going to let them know tomorrow that I need to take the tractor to someone and have one installed. It's bad enough that I'm going to have to sneak the tractor to the dealer or a TA to get the exhaust stack remounted to the exhaust (the freakin clamp is coming off). That leak would surely get me out of service. If towing a flat without a rack will get me shut down also, it's pointless for me to even take a load on Monday, not to mention that I DONT WANT TO BE CRUSHED BY CARGO.
If anyone has any idea, let me know please. I have to take care of this immediately (On THEIR BofA card of course), so I can take a load on Monday.