Any Tips, Advice On Flatbed And Spread Axle Trailers?

The bases here regarding your questions are all covered very well. The only thing I wanted to comment on was backing, particularly, backing with your axles spread. You want to use much more shallow angles for a couple reasons. One was mentioned already being the pivot point. That front axle is going to drag and sharper angles really work the tires, even to a point of pulling a tire off the bead. The other issue that every open deck driver has come across or witnessed is with that drag on the front axle, the trailer will start to jerk violently and a driver not reacting quickly enough can cause bad things to happen. I personally witnessed a load of John Deere mower decks get toppled in the Gary Indiana yard when I was at ATS.

Florida does offer a permit that you can apply for to run axles open. It’s $110 a year (it was unless the price went up) and that permit gets registered to the truck, regardless of the trailer number, so that’s something to keep in mind also.

Thanks Chief. Wasn't sure if the load shifted that it would become tighter. I will keep in mind that I will have to just tighten them again. And to be clear, crank down hard right? Making sure they are tight and secured. Right now I'm only hauling aluminum. I'm back at Cressona today and have a load of aluminum extrusions NOI class: 060.00. Whatever that is lol

It's a soft material and the driver I'm following now showed me how easily they can bend if tightened to much. I'm still not comfortable with how loose they are. He told me if I squeeze the strap with my hand and can make a "V" shape out of it it's too loose. A "U" shape bend in the strap is tight enough for this material

I found out today where belly straps go. He needed them for his load.

Dude please make sure Knight gets you that extra training. Remind them how much of a liability it is to them having you out there doing flatbed without sufficient flatbed specific training. You need to know what you’re doing and be taught correctly by more than just guys on the internet or you’re gonna catch a ticket for improper securement if you’re lucky and lose a load if you’re unlucky.

Pianoman, I definitely wasn't going out if my DM didn't have a trainer for me. I told him Friday that I needed extra training and he seemed surprised that I did. Before I started I was told by the DDM that after my 28days training in dry van I would spend a week following a flatbed driver. My DM quickly changed that.

Today I was going to tell him I'm not going out by myself if he didn't have a trainer for me. When I got in he had someone waiting for me and I was relieved. But I don't know if this is a one day thing again or a week like I was told. We both have a pick up in Cressona going to Indiana. He had me load up his trailer as well as mine, he did help.... He went through each step and explained what to do. How to put the straps in the winch, how to throw the straps over and tarping. When we get to the stop he will show me how to fold the tarps the right way.

What I was referring to were the load checks we’re required to do. One within the first 50 miles or an hour whichever comes first, and one every 150 miles or 3 hours whichever comes first, and I believe at beginning and end of day (during pre and post trips but I don’t remember exactly if that was required but I log it and do it anyways. anytime I go On Duty for almost anything I check the load and annotate it).

And that goes for all flatbed drivers? I'm pretty sure I saw that in the CDL manuel but not sure. Makes since though. My first trip I did check the straps pre and post trips but not 50 miles or the 150 miles. I wasn't given a little green book but I will download it into my phone. Smh I feel so unprepared for this. Not just flatbed but driving period. Feels like I was just pushed into it without anyone caring about training me properly....

The other issue that every open deck driver has come across or witnessed is with that drag on the front axle, the trailer will start to jerk violently and a driver not reacting quickly enough can cause bad things to happen. I personally witnessed a load of John Deere mower decks get toppled in the Gary Indiana yard when I was at ATS.

I almost toppled my first load trying to back for the first time at a truck stop. I'm very observant and caught it quickly. It did look like the trailer was going to flip when I tried to 90 degree back into the spot. I have to learn backing all over again. Been watching videos on it and the driver I'm following has told me some tips. I'm still horrible at it but I believe I will get better. Thanks Robert B for your input. I will gladly accept any more advice you have on driving a flatbed

I'm learning a ton from you putting your experiences down here and the advice given. Thank you for doing so. I don't know if Im just lazy or obsessed with avoiding doing 90s, but I usually do them as a last resort, but I do have a habit of pivoting my trailer if needed, and I'm gathering that's a no no with a flatbed? How do you back into spots that take a 90 or require a hard pivot?

Pianoman, I definitely wasn't going out if my DM didn't have a trainer for me. I told him Friday that I needed extra training and he seemed surprised that I did. Before I started I was told by the DDM that after my 28days training in dry van I would spend a week following a flatbed driver. My DM quickly changed that.

Nice that’s good he got you with someone, hopefully it goes well!

And that goes for all flatbed drivers? I'm pretty sure I saw that in the CDL manuel but not sure. Makes since though. My first trip I did check the straps pre and post trips but not 50 miles or the 150 miles. I wasn't given a little green book but I will download it into my phone

Yes. Technically it doesn’t specify that it’s just for flatbed drivers so it could be for anyone but van drivers can’t usually check the load once they take off anyway because it’s typically sealed until delivery.

Smh I feel so unprepared for this. Not just flatbed but driving period. Feels like I was just pushed into it without anyone caring about training me properly....

It’ll feel like that sometimes but you’re doing great! Most everyone feels unprepared because the nature of the beast is that most of what you need to learn you’ll learn on your own just by doing the job. Training just teaches the basics and the principles you need to be safe and legal. I know enough about Knight to know they care a great deal about safety but it sounds like it was a simple oversight. Your dispatcher is a great resource but if this training doesn’t end up being the week you were initially told you’d get I’d probably just call the training or safety department directly. It’s usually just a matter of talking to the right person.

How do you back into spots that take a 90 or require a hard pivot?

Davy, I don't. I can't do a 90 back with this trailer. Right now I'm trying to park but gave up. Frustrated right now, I only did a 90 back with the dry van , it was easier for me to do. Right now I'm at a truck stop off to the side,"probably in the way" because I can't back into any of these spots. Been driving for 11hrs and my mistake for letting my clock run out but I have to park....This is so annoying. The job is fine but I can't park this trailer at all.

Having trouble trying to park. Don't know what to do at this point....

Having trouble trying to park. Don't know what to do at this point....

Holy really?

Email me for #'s?

~ A ~

Ms. Laura says . . . PULL IN.. NOSE IN!

Should be able to back out in the am; easier on a clear lot!

~ Anne ~

ps: WHERE are ya???