With the economy and freight shifting, have you been looking for different load options?
Have you been thinking about hauling with a flatbed instead of a dry van semi-trailer?
Here are some things to think about when making the decision to change to a flatbed trailer.
Let’s start with the basic equipment you will need.
- Winches – It is a good idea to have at least 14-20 winches for each side of the trailer. These hold thestraps down. The amount you use depends on the load’s type and size.
- Straps – Straps are 4 inches in width with a hook on the end that will connect to the very bottom of thetrailer. Since they run through the winches, you will need to have as many straps as you have winches. It is agood idea to have a few extra as well. These straps go over the load to hold it down.
- Winch Bar – This bar is made to help crank the straps down tightly. It will have a snap binder at the otherend to snap the binders down with.
- 2” Ratchet Strap with J-Hook – This style strap helps to go across the back of the load up and down tokeep it intact.
- Chains – 5/16th or 3/8th, a heavier chain in grade 70 chain. The type of load will determine how manythat you need. You may want to keep a few just to have.
- Ratchet Binder – This will tighten up the chains. You will need one for each chain.
- Dunnage – Dunnage is 4×4 pieces of wood that are 8ft long (long enough to cover the width of thetrailer). You can purchase these at any home center or building supply company. They can be stored underthe trailer or on top of the trailer. These help to brace the load.
- Tarps – These come in a four-, six- or eight-foot drop. Which one of these you will need will depend onthe height of the load you are carrying in order to be able to cover it. These tarps can be folded andstrapped onto the front of the trailer for storage. One thing to remember is the larger the tarp, the heavierit will be for you to maneuver. Six-foot tarps are a more common size to carry because most loads can becovered by that size tarp.
- Bungees – These secure the tarps to the trailer. They come in different lengths. A medium-sized bungeeis pretty standard for most loads. Stock anywhere from 100-150 of them on the trailer, as you will use themquickly and they are inexpensive.
- Edge Protectors – These protectors can cover the end edges of the products you haul. They have a center section where a strap can be run down the middle, to keep the protector on.
- Push Broom – A good push broom is necessary to clean the trailer off from leftover debris from the load that was just unloaded. That way it is not flying off the trailer as you are driving, creating a hazard for other vehicles.
- PB Blaster or WD40 – Cans of these loosening agents are necessary to keep on hand. They will keep the winches and binders lubricated.
- Gloves – A good set of gloves is important to have, such as an impact glove. It is a good idea to carry several pairs with you. You will go through a lot of them.
- Hammer or Mallet – To move things that are stuck.
- Something to Cover Sharp Load Objects – You will need something to cover sharp pieces on a load that a tarp is going to cover to avoid cutting your tarp. Moving blankets, for example.
- Easy Wind – A winch strap winder (often called an Easy Wind or Kwik Winder) helps quickly wind up loose flatbed straps with minimal physical effort. The tool attaches to a winch or rub rail and rolls up 2- to 4-inch straps in a fraction of the time it takes to do by hand, making strap storage faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
- Clothing – You will need clothing items for safety. A lot of flatbed hauling is in construction areas. Steel toe boots, a hard hat and a safety/reflective vest are a must.
These are just a few of the basic/general items you will need. There are other specialty items that you may need moving forward. It all depends on what the load is that you are carrying. Always shop around when purchasing these items, as you can find several of them at non-trailer parts stores for a better price.
Something else good to have on the actual trailer is a toolbox. They can be mounted on the bottom of the trailer to hold some of these items and any other pieces of equipment that you need.
Hauling with a flatbed is different from a dry van. You will want to keep this in mind as you make your decision. It is very important that the loads are properly placed and not too heavy, so the load doesn’t shift on the trailer causing spillage or the trailer to jackknife.
When renting a flatbed trailer, be sure to ask if the trailer has winches on it. Does it come with straps and tarps? These are important things to know.
In need of a rental flatbed trailer? Call us today to find out the different styles we have in our fleet.
