Flatbed Variety

Is that the big service area there on 78 ? If so, I'm surprised you find a spot. That place is always jam packed.

No, I was at the Vince Lombardi service area off 95. I kept wondering, why is NJ honoring the greatest Packers coach? Shouldn't they name it after one of the New Jersey Giants or New Jersey Jets coaches?

Because it's Vince Lombardi lol.

I'm out that way all the time, as a matter of fact, we probably drove right past each other and didn't even realize it. Loads going that way pay well, it's finding freight out that can get interesting at times.

Is that the big service area there on 78 ? If so, I'm surprised you find a spot. That place is always jam packed.

No, I was at the Vince Lombardi service area off 95. I kept wondering, why is NJ honoring the greatest Packers coach? Shouldn't they name it after one of the New Jersey Giants or New Jersey Jets coaches?

Because it's Vince Lombardi lol.

I'm out that way all the time, as a matter of fact, we probably drove right past each other and didn't even realize it. Loads going that way pay well, it's finding freight out that can get interesting at times.

Because he started his career coaching at St. Cecilia in Englewood, NJ

Took me several days to get through this thread. I never fully realized the diversity of loads, and types of trailers the flatbed category covers. It makes me want to forego my my plan of reefers, then flatbed, and just hop on the skateboards, and go. Excellent information, I learned a ton, thank all of you, for your expertise, and dedication. It sets the bar for me.

Thanks for clearing that up, Pat! I couldn't associate Vince Lombardi with anything but Green Bay.

Robert B. (The Dragon) yes, I breathe fire and other sideshow tricks, aren't you a flatbedder? You should join the fun and post some pics.

Daniel M., thank Pat for starting this thread. I know it's a favorite of Daniel B, too!

Finally remembered to take a picture today after I got my load, balers from New Holland, PA.

At the moment I'm running a dry van equipped with overhead crane but we do run flatbed and stepdeck as well.

At the moment I'm running a dry van equipped with overhead crane but we do run flatbed and stepdeck as well.

That's right, I'd forgotten about those pics you posted!

Yep. I just delivered an elevator system down to the south end of Manhatten at the beginning of the week, got some great pics of the city. Talk about an interesting area to get into lol.

Thanks for clearing that up, Pat! I couldn't associate Vince Lombardi with anything but Green Bay.

Robert B. (The Dragon) yes, I breathe fire and other sideshow tricks, aren't you a flatbedder? You should join the fun and post some pics.

Daniel M., thank Pat for starting this thread. I know it's a favorite of Daniel B, too!

Finally remembered to take a picture today after I got my load, balers from New Holland, PA.

You were in my neck of the woods today. I'm about 30 min from new holland.

Belly dumping Wednesday and Thursday and then I pulled a side dump to Spokane today and an end dump pup trailer back. Our trucks are set up with a pintle hitch, airlines and light plug at the back of the trucks too just for such occasion. Plus the pintle hitch conveyors that we have to move at times.

Here's a shot of my truck backed inside a building in Greenfield, Indiana. Many of the shippers and receivers I deal with on this dedicated flat-bed gig are set up for us to drive inside their buildings for loading and unloading. Since we are dealing with aluminum products the customers are really picky about any exposure to the elements. If you get the slightest bit of oxidation on aluminum it can have very negative effects on how easily or successfully it can be welded. It can be done, but it usually requires extra work by grinding or the use of acid washes on the material. Consequently they set up their shipping and receiving areas so that we can get indoors to do the job. It is one of the many benefits of being on this account. Not only does the material get protected from exposure to the elements, but also the driver shares in that experience. I'm not nearly as likely to find myself in eighteen inches of snow trying to fold up my tarps or some other such nonsense that we flat-bedders put ourselves through just to "git er done."

This particular load I was pulling one of those Conestoga trailers so there were no tarps to deal with anyways.

covered wagon backed up inside warehouse being loaded with aluminum" title="SAPA flatbed Conestoga covered wagon backed up inside warehouse being loaded with aluminum">