Flatbed Trailer

Have you ever thought you would like to drive a flatbed trailer? Some people like it because it involves physical labor and it requires special training to do the job correctly.

As a truck driver with a flatbed trailer you can haul anything from roof shingles to steel rolls and items that have odd shapes to them.

Securing the load is very important and there are basic guide lines to follow. You need a strap for each pallet and two straps on the pallet on the rear of the trailer. This is a minimum to consider the load secure. The weight of the pallet may require the use of chains to secure the load. Your gut feeling may want you to add a strap or two. Always go with your gut feeling.You do not want that load to shift it could cause a roll over or risk loosing your load, or worst yet a life.

You need to check your load after the first 150 miles. This is very important. A load can shift after you start moving and the straps or chains can become loose.

Minimum Number of Tie downs from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a flatbed

The cargo securement system used to restrain articles against movement must meet requirements concerning the minimum number of tie downs. This requirement is in addition to complying with rules concerning the minimum working load limit. When an article of cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the forward direction, the number of tie downs needed depends on the length and weight of the articles.

There must be - one tie down for articles 5 ft or less in length, and 1,100 lbs or less in weight; two tie downs if the article is - 5 ft or less in length and more than 1,100 lbs in weight; or greater than 5 ft but less than 10 ft, regardless of weight.

In the following example, one tiedown is required because the article of cargo is 5 ft in length and does not exceed 1,100 lbs. If the article of cargo were greater than 5 ft in length but less than 10 ft, two tiedowns would be needed regardless of the weight. When an article of cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the forward direction, and the item is longer than 10 ft in length, then it must be secured by two tiedowns for the first 10 ft of length, and one additional tiedown for every 10 ft of length, or fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 ft. An example of this is provided below. If an article is blocked, braced or immobilized to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, other articles that are adequately secured, or other appropriate means, it must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 10 ft of article length, or fraction thereof. For more information

Wow that seems tough. Take a look at this video it make it seem a little easier

Here is how the straps work. This is just a short video

Recommended Flatbed Trailer Company

I worked with a friend that really liked working with Maverick trucking company. They are not afraid to hire new drivers. He felt the the company really believed in safety. When safety is integrated from the top all the way down to middle management it makes life as a driver really nice.

The areas that made him feel that they believed in safety was. The training he had at the company.

The class room instruction. They teach how to secure a load properly and talk about the dangers of loads that are not secure. The working with other employees in his training program had a great attitude about safety.

I hope this gave you some ideal on what it would be like to drive a flatbed . There are a lot of things to learn. Many drivers love the work.

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