Quick Question About Flatbed Needs?

Hello I will try to make this a short as I can...lol. I am considering changing careers and joining the ranks of the great ranks of truckers out there. From trolling this site and going to company sites I am really interested in the flatbed segment. I think that I really would enjoy the challenge and uniqueness of it. I hope that some of the flatbed veterans and pros can answer a question I have. What are some of the equipment that is required to have or suggested to have to do the job, and do most companies provide the equipment or do you usually have to pay for it yourself.

The company will provide the equipment you need, and they will teach you how to use it in a "securement training" class. This will be further enhanced by your time spent on a trainer's truck actually securing a wide variety of loads. Most flatbed companies will have a contact person for the rookies to call if they have a securement question arise that they're not sure how to handle.

I only know of one flatbed operation that requires the driver to pay for the equipment, and that would be over in Prime's flatbed division. They also buy it back (at a discount of course) when you leave, but there are ways to buy their equipment from drivers who are quitting and get it much cheaper that way.

Thank you Old School for the response and all the really great advice/information that you provide on this site. Was just trying to figure out if there was anything I would need to get special for that type of trucking.

Anything needed for the actual securement, you won't have to worry about. My company supplies chains, binders, straps, edge protectors, coil racks, friction mats, coil pads, timbers, pipe stakes, winch bar, etc. Anything else you might want to look into, just makes the job easier. Steel manufacturers can be strict, make sure you have a hard hat, chin strap, safety glasses, closed toe/steel toe shoes, and a long sleeve shirt. Some places actually require all of the above.

There are three things though, that I'll never do flatbed without again. A ladder-doesn't have to be super tall, even a couple steps up can keep you off a load. A piece tarp-took me months to scrounge one, but having that half a tarp saves me from from pulling out the eight foot drops several times a month. And finally a strap pusher/ edge protector pole-lets me set my edge protectors on tall loads in a matter of seconds, and can also be used to push a gut strap on a preloaded trailer.

I really appreciate the responses I have gotten.