Would Like Info On Flatbedding, Specifically Swift

Swift does indeed have a flatbed division and they will train you. I'm in contact with my DM trying to gather information from the company side as well and what I need to do to get into the division. Still, the best info found is always from you guys here that have already been there done that. Thanks for the responses so far.

Anyone that might have an insight to swift flatbed division would greatly be appreciated too.

Daniel, you seem to have all the info you will need, and with some flatbed experience, even tho in a straight truck, Flatbedding is Flatbedding. The only thing you may loose is your fondness of backing up to docks. Flyin' with the tarps is a no no..ya let lose, and get down, roll em up and start again. We have pretty light weight tarps, which has been the best thing to happen in flatbedding in alot of years. You will be shocked to see lady drivers pullin' a skateboard...yup..most of them pull step decks, but we ain't no sissy's..we just can't have our nails done every week, throwin' chains really messes them up. For the guy up in Montana...Watkins Shepard has a company flatbed fleet, I believe. And they may do the training for it. Worth checking into. Good Luck, be safe...and when you get into flatbedding, give me a hollar and I'll tell you about "short steps", "tricky hookers", and strap cranks....they are a fltatbedder's best friends.

For the guy up in Montana...Watkins Shepard has a company flatbed fleet, I believe. And they may do the training for it. Worth checking into. Good Luck, be safe...and when you get into flatbedding, give me a hollar and I'll tell you about "short steps", "tricky hookers", and strap cranks....they are a fltatbedder's best friends.

Thanks, Starcar! I actually am starting Orientation Monday with Watkins Shepard in the dry van area...the flatbedding requires a period of time driving before they'll accept you, like most flatbedders. I'll probably learn a bit about it as I'm out there, and see if it's for me. Anything you would like to share would be great!

Tracy

Every flatbedder has his/her tricks of the trade. But the one thing that holds true to flatbedders...they are the friendliest buncha folks in trucking. If we're lined up waiting for the trucks ahead to unload, we get out and help out...we roll straps, pull tarps, fold tarps, heck I've even made coffee for a buncha guys waiting !! And you can ALWAYS ask them for advice,..and thats if they haven't come over to help you out, which they will usually do, anyway. The shippers are glad to see you, the receivers are glad to see you, and you usually already have a load set up when you unload the one you have. The winter slowdown isn't as bad for flatbedders...can't tell ya why,it just is. Everyone is afraid of the tarping, strapping,and chaining down loads..cuz it takes time. but most drivers get tarp pay..and when you have multiple drops, you get drop pay...so its more work, but you do get paid for it. Phsically its not that bad. I had to find a creative way to throw the straps over the tall loads...I use a dog toy (no joke). I'd try to explain how I do it..but ya gotta be there....for getting bungees hooked in the D rings way up...I use the "tricky hooker"..theres another name for it..but its politically incorrect. Its actually a 5th wheel puller. but when you decide to buy one, be sure and get one that has the hook on it, and also the straight piece that runs off the hook...comes in real handy. If you flatbed, you will want a strap crank. it hooks to the rub rail, and I can roll up straps as fast as they can be pulled off a load. rolling them by hand will give you carpal tunnel in short order. You will need an 12-14 foot extension ladder, but we also use a "short stepper". To make one, you take a common 5 foot step ladder, take the flip tray and the front legs off of it. drill the side rails with a hole big enough to get a piece of light rebar thru. bend a hook on one end of your rebar that will securely hold on your rub rail. put the straight end thru the holes in the ladder, then bend the straight end in a hook that MATCHES the first one. What you have is a ladder that will hook securely on your rub rail, so you can get up to any part of your load from the sides, or the back, real handy for securing your beaver tail, or fixing over lay flaps, and hooking high bungees. and its small enough that you just secure it under the trailer. TSB poowhoo'd the one I made ( I'm vertically challenged), so I spray painted it hot pink, and hung it under the trailer. You'd be surprised how many guys came to borrow that ladder...pink and all. I even caught TSB using it when he thought I wasn't around....And above all remember...PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL...it is a creed for flatbedders. Think before you jump up on that load...

Thank you Starcar! Great info ....and funny to boot.

In six months or so, I'll be looking into the flatbed group at Watkins Shepard.