Getting Started in Flatbeds Posted by DC Cargo Mall on June 08, 2010

You just signed on with a flatbed outfit. You've been pulling reefers for years, but you're sick and tired ofgrocery warehouses and packing sheds. Friends that haul flatbed freight throw around revenue per mile figures that make you green with envy. Yesterday you spent 14 hours waiting on a load of chickens. So here you are, signing a lease to start your flatbed career. There are a few things you should have researched before you signed the lease, but provided everything is in order according to the federal leasing regulations (you did thoroughly read your lease, didn't you?), you can and should correct your oversight before you hit the road. Hang on tight— learning the flatbed side of trucking will be the learning experience of a lifetime. Just getting started can be a little overwhelming, especially from a financial viewpoint.

Chances are you'll be purchasing one (or perhaps more) set of tarps. You'll also need chains, hooks, binders, straps, winches, ratchets, rope, flags, tarp straps and bungee cords sufficient for your operation. But how do you know how many of what to buy?

First familiarize yourself with the cargo securement rules in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Subpart I, Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo, §393.100. These regulations are the minimum requirements. The regs include everything from the minimum number of tie-down assemblies required (and the strength of the tie-downs) to special requirements for securing steel coils. Generally speaking, you must have a tie-down assembly (strap or chain) for every 10 feet of cargo on the trailer, though some specific types of freight require more.

Be aware that the Feds are in the process of updating cargo securement requirements. In the meantime, you must have a good working knowledge of current regulations, and until you do, it's a good idea to carry them with you to refer to when necessary.

Next, ask your carrier careful questions about the variety of freight and types of trailers you're likely to haul. In most cases the carrier will have certain requirements about the number and type of tarps, chains, binders, etc. that you must have (these policies may exceed federal requirements). These requirements should have been spelled out in your lease.

Ask drivers who have been with the carrier a while what they would recommend as a good start-up package. Develop a complete list of what you need and contact a supplier. It is important to buy your supplies and equipment from a reputable source. There are any number of good suppliers for these items you require, such as WWW.DCCARGOMALL.COM On everyday items like tarp straps and rope, discount stores can be good places to save money. Depending on your operation, you may also need a good hammer, a supply of nails, and some wood blocks for bracing. You can purchase these at a discount building supply store to save money, but be sure of the quality you're getting. Get all of your equipment together before hitting the road. Buying straps or chains in a truckstop because you don't plan ahead can be an expensive lesson.

"While federal regulations are designed to keep your cargo on the trailer where it belongs, and no one ever expects things to

go wrong, stuff happens," says OOIDA director Ray Kasicki, who has been pulling a flatbed for more than 10 years. "If another vehicle strikes your trailer with enough force, chains, straps, etc., may give way. A few extra tie-downs may mean the load stays on the trailer. There is no such thing as a load that is too secure."

OOIDA member Mike Smead offers this advice: "If another vehicle strikes your rig from the front, you'll have enough to deal with without your suddenly stopped load coming through the back of the cab. If your carrier does not have headboards for their trailers, you might want to think about adding a good quality ‘headache rack' to your list of requirements. The Feds do require you to have one or the other. If your carrier does have headboards, a headache rack is still not a bad idea. It's a matter of personal choice, not a requirement, and a lot of drivers choose to do without."

—Land Line staff