Who wants to teach me the ropes??

[tommy]

for driving a flatbed trailer??? I just have to learn and I am sure there are many things to learn and know..

not like pulling a van where you just shut door and all the freight cant fall off..

[Big_Dave]

http://www.ooida.com/regulatory/Driver_Handbook.pdf

Unfortunately, the link will take you to the OODIA Regulatory Action Index. Scroll down to the 2nd one on the list that says, "Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement".

[Big_Dave]

You can also check out J.J. Kellers "Cargo Securement Handbook for Drivers" (http://www.jjkeller.com/browse/product.html?group_id=19043&ticket=1654297574304536228243193016&pageseq=10000)

[Foxfire]

Well, BP, have you got a couple of weeks you don't have anything else to do? That might get you thru the basics. At least I can teach you to secure a load and maybe it won't fall off the trailer.....lol Remember when you tarp, always put the one on the back first and let the front one overlap the back one. Think of which way the wind is gonna be blowing. Get to know the ratings for the straps and chains you will use for securement and use as many as needed for the weight. Most of it is just common sense. There's a lot more but that's all I'm gonna share right now. I gotta go to the drugstore.

[tommy]

thx Dave,

I thought you just pushed a little button and the trap went over the load and you were done...this sounds like WORK!!! :yikes:

[Big_Dave]

thx Dave,

I thought you just pushed a little button and the trap went over the load and you were done...this sounds like WORK!!! :yikes:
You're welcome.

Uh, the 'push a button' thingy only works on newer end dumps. :p :rofl:

[tommy]

Uh, the 'push a button' thingy only works on newer end dumps.



Flatbedding is the "Dumps" isnt it?? :rofl: :rofl:

[ladykw]

Uh, the 'push a button' thingy only works on newer end dumps.



Flatbedding is the "Dumps" isnt it?? :rofl: :rofl:

HAY!!!!! That ain't nice at all.....
Ok....you get a KW and a flatbed with all the fixins and I will teach you what I know BUT FF can teach you more since she's done it longer.....

[Foxfire]

I'm still wondering where the push button is on a tarp? And why didn't I find it years ago?

[ladykw]

I haven't found it either...
Be nice tho...
:harhar: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:
Men wantvto do it the lazy way anyways......
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Preacher]

I've got a button hidden under the dash but it doesn't work. I gotta get out of the truck and tarp my loads manually! My electric strap winches don't work either! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[tommy]

Well, BP, have you got a couple of weeks you don't have anything else to do? That might get you thru the basics. At least I can teach you to secure a load and maybe it won't fall off the trailer.....lol Remember when you tarp, always put the one on the back first and let the front one overlap the back one. Think of which way the wind is gonna be blowing. Get to know the ratings for the straps and chains you will use for securement and use as many as needed for the weight. Most of it is just common sense. There's a lot more but that's all I'm gonna share right now. I gotta go to the drugstore.


couple of weeks?????????I learn faster than that Foxy! :D




Ok....you get a KW and a flatbed with all the fixins and I will teach you what I know BUT FF can teach you more since she's done it longer.....



why does it have to be a KW?? I have a Int. that will out pull that thing you drive!! :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

[ladykw]

why does it have to be a KW?? I have a Int. that will out pull that thing you drive!! :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

HAY...... My freightshaker runs just fine..,. :harhar: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

[Curlyfrompgh]

couple of weeks?????????I learn faster than that Foxy! :D

That's just for the basic of the basics you don't want to know how long it will take before you earn the title of flatbedder.

[tommy]

couple of weeks?????????I learn faster than that Foxy! :D

That's just for the basic of the basics you don't want to know how long it will take before you earn the title of flatbedder.

I really know I would have it pretty well mastered within a week , like it is hard to throw a strap/chain over some stuff and pull on it real hard to make it tight...

[Foxfire]

It ain't that simple BP!!! You gotta know how to position those straps and/or chains. Then you gotta know how many it will take to secure whatever you are hauling by weight. Then you gotta know how many the DOT want you to have. THEN you gotta know you have enough to make it not fall off the trailer in YOUR mind. THEN you gotta figure out if in needs to be tarped or if it can make the trip uncovered. If it needs to be covered THEN you gotta figure out how to get the tarp on so it doesn't get blown off the load going down the road. And, it goes on and on.....lol Curly said it ............ that's wnough time to learn the basics. You have to EARN the title!!!!

[Curlyfrompgh]

Ya, what she said. Plus you have to know how to protect the load from your securements and your securements form the load. You should know that stainless steel is harder than your chains so it will bite into them and if you use 5/16" 'dog chains' you will end up with an un-usable chain by the end of one trip. Where to put the securements so they will hold the load down and not just crush a sheet metal cover and let the load come off the deck. This is what comes with time and is not able to be stuffed into a week or even two.
That is also why there is a rational argument for an extended training period for 'simply' driving the truck. Please tell me you are not foolish enough to believe that that too is something you can "have mastered in a week". :wow:
The company I work for has come to the realization that regardless of 'experience' it is not wise to just hand someone a truck and send them out without knowing for sure that a driver is 1.) Competent, and 2.) Understands how the company wants the load secured. (DOT minimum +) It has been found that some people have learned improperly (most likely because they thought they could learn in a week and whatever else they could pick up along the way.) and what they do has become habit. And then you start to rationalize your actions with the notion that “Nothing has happened yet.”
As long as you leave an opportunity for something to happen there is a chance you will have to explain your actions to an unsympathetic jury. There is still the possibility that an accident will happen despite everything you have done. With this in mind what you want to tell them- “I have been told it was unsafe but I never had a problem until now.” Or- “I did the minimum required.” Or how about-“I did everything I could have possibly done to prevent something from happening.” Flatbedding is not something you can just pick up in a week of training and master and the consequences are too great for learning by trial and error. If you screw up and don’t tie your load down right it could be the end of someone’s life and will be the end of life as you know it.
This also applies to 'JUST PLAIN OLD TRUCKING'.

[Big_Dave]

Foxfire & Curly......very good advice. :cool:

[Big Pete]

for driving a flatbed trailer??? I just have to learn and I am sure there are many things to learn and know..

You're not good enough.... :yikes: