| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/25/2006 7:32:51 AM | Hi all,
I am considering being a flat bed trucker. What are the good/bad aspects of that particular type of trucking?
Thanks in advance. And merry christmas! | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/25/2006 7:37:01 AM | Most flat bed truckers don't like tarping a load. Hence, they usually get paid extra for doing it. I would deffinetely make sure that any company you haul for does pay extra for it, since it really is a pain in the a*s to do. | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/25/2006 7:48:05 AM | I assume you're mean good and bad aspects of "flat beds"
as compared to vans, hopper bottoms, or liquid tankers, etc
bad: more physical work and time, securing and tarping loads, usually by yourself. Lifting a large canvas tarp, to the top of a high load by yourself could be a pain in the ass. Would you enjoy doing it, if you found yourself doing it consistently?
One possible good aspect compared to vans, if you're looking at doing long hauls, you'll likely spend less time driving in larger congested cities with a flat deck. Based on what you're more likely to be hauling. (But not always)
With a van, you'd likely end up at warehouses which are usually in the middle of large cities, and not always convenient to get to with a 50' trailer.
A deck on the other hand, may be hauling larger items like farm equipment, heavy construction equipment, etc. Since the John Deere dealerships, and Caterpiller equipment dealerships, are more likely to be out in the country than in downtown New York or Detroit, you may be able to avoid some city driving. | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/26/2006 5:37:16 PM | I understand that most flat bed trailers are 48' as opposed to 53' which makes them a little better in the city traffic.
They have pretty light tarps nowadays, do they not?
Do you have to stop very often to re-tighten the straps or chains? | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/26/2006 7:08:47 PM | I'm not sure of the exact weight of the tarps.
I don't think stopping on the road to tighten chains or straps is too necessary. As long as the cargo gets secured good the first time, so it doesn't move around.
Depending on the cargo, if everything's secured properly the first time, you may want drive for awhile and then check the chains or straps for tightness. If they're still good, and you're on smooth road, you'll likely be good for the complete trip.
Although you should check your straps or chains, during your regular stops, you likely won't have to stop just to re-tighten. | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/26/2006 7:14:30 PM | At least here in Ontario, you're more apt to be stopped in roadside MTO checks, as well as delayed at the scales when hauling a flatbed versus a van (for possible safety violations related to load security).
As someone mentioned above, ensure beforehand that you get paid for the time needed and used to secure your load (usually a flat rate). | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 12/26/2006 11:43:28 PM | If you like parasailing, (literally) then flat bedding is the way to go.
That covers tarping.
Then there's the securing and tying down the load (a cheater bar helps).
Of course you'll have to check and adjust the tie downs perhaps several
times a day. If your load shifts uneven enough to warrant stopping, you'll
have to hire a forklift most often at your own expense, to adjust the load
for you.
Then there's the extra possibilty of losing part of your load while
in transit. Don't know your driving experienses... but guess who gets the
fine for that? You do. If anyone is injured or killed, you may go to prison.
The advantages are, less backing...... sometimes.
Oh, and did I mention parasailing? Always fun....  | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 3/1/2008 11:11:55 PM | As previous posters have indicated and speaking from experience, tarping is the probably the least liked part of the job as it's usually performed in all weather conditions.
It's physically demanding, tarps are heavy and awkward to carry unless you can get the assistance of a forklift operator and in most cases, they will put the tarps on top of your load. But I do stress in most cases.
I constantly monitor all load securing devices, chains, tiedown straps, and tarps while driving. Ususally after the first 100 to 160 km. I do a complete check and examine for load shifting and the like. Thereafter, it's checked as part of my pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Provided you supervise loading and secure properly, you shouldn't have any load shifting problems. Do as you see fit, a few extra straps means that much more piece of mind down the road. Don't worry about shippers telling you how to secure a load, and don't ever let them rush you, 90% of the time they have no idea what they are talking about, once you've signed the documents, you are responsible for the load! Regulatory officers (scales) will never penalize you for being too safe!
I run Canada only and specialize in over-dimensional and heavy equipment haulage, familiarize yourself with all the highway regulations as they differ from province to province or state to state.
$50, 000 was the going fine back in 2005 shoould anything fall of your flatbed, it may be higher now. Practice due diligence!
Best of luck, and see you down the road...Drive safe! | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 3/2/2008 2:07:25 PM | I have done only reefer/van, but I can tell you from what i have heard it is very
tough, more rules and different companies, shall we say, try to break the safety
rules to fit their equipment available or just plain dont give a hoot. Have seen many
a load on flatbeds that have slipped off, especially on heavy duty curves or seen
flats pulled into ditches bc of lack of supports (chains, webbing, etc..) that should
have been checked or just not there in the first place. Dirtier work but usually
higher salary range. Take care and look for a good company to work for or you'll
get stuck with the fine!! | |
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| Flat bed truckers: Need advice.
Posted: 3/2/2008 9:01:23 PM | | I pulled a flatbed for about 2 yrs and as previous posters have said tarping sucks and to be quite honest with you there is alot more waiting involved pulling a flat. Them steel mills are never in a hurry to load/unload ya its twice the work for the same pay you could make pulling a dry van. If you do deceide to go with a flat be careful with them coils. | |
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