flatbed equipment

10 Chains 10 binders 10 straps, 2 light tarps, 2 heavy tarps, the trailer should have a side kit and tarps and bows, like a Transcraft Eagle with 10 ft spread and a tol box b/n ea axle. TE have chains mounted in the bed, Apithong rails to nail to and winches with sliders permanently attached. If you get a side kit you can haul aluminum in small boxes which pays more. You can go wihtout the side kit but you need a headache rack with lockable chain hangers.

 

It depends on what you'll be doing. I'm a minimalist when it comes to equipment. Enough to do everything I'll encounter and a few spare belts so I don't need to buy them at a truck stop. Everything fits in 2-60" boxes. Except the tarps. They get strapped to the deck and get chained and locked if left overnight.

2-lumber tarps
28-belts
10-chains/ binders
100-21" bungies
2-ratchet belt winches

2'x10' padding for sharp edges- made from old tarp material as much as I can fit.

Misc Oversize signs, flags, magnetic lights

Cosco folding / collapsible ladder

I doubt you'll need much else to do basic deck work. Especially to start.

 

Wow that is bad advice. Going out with 10 straps is like heading out for a week with one pair of underpants.

 

This is what I have:

6 x 6' 5/16 chain (4700 WLL)
8 x 16' 3/8 chain (6600 WLL)
8 x 25' 5/16 chain (4700 WLL)
11 snap binders
8 SCC quikbinders
8 T handle ratchet binders <--- I will be borrowing most of these to my dad soon
2 winch bars

30 x 30'x4" straps with flat hooks
2 x 40'x4" straps with flat hooks
1 x 50'x4" strap with flat hook
4 x 30'x4" straps with chains
4 x 4" hand ratchets with flat hooks

4 x 30'x2" straps with flat hooks
4 x 2" hand ratchets with flat hooks

30 plastic edge protectors
Strap winder
Lots of carpet

Tarps:
12x12 smoke tarp
14x25 front tarp with flap 13 oz
Two 16x25 middle tarps 13 oz
16x25 rear tarp with flap 13 oz
All of the above have lots of d-rings

12x35 "farmer" tarp for cutting edges, weighs 5 lbs total
100 21" bungees
Various rope

4 pipe stakes
4 portable east chain tie downs that hook into the floor, I should have more
At least 12 3"x3"x8' foot pieces of dunnage
2 Load levelers
2 lb sledge for knocking in corners of crates that need to be tarped
5th wheel puller for manipulating tarps

2 x 7 foot reflective OS signs (not cheap)
10 red flags
2 beacons on truck
2 portable beacons
Load height measuring device (not cheap)
Measuring tape for width and length

Several pairs of gloves so I always have at least one dry pair
Coveralls to stay dry/clean

Hard hat with chin strap
Safety vest
Safety glasses (with side shield)
Safety boots
Long sleeve shirt (some shippers require it)

 

I'm sure some do. The underpants I mean had one guy walk into dispatch office the other day took hours for the residue to finally leave.

 

Your almost being to nice... after some of these guys come out of the shower ( which obviously has to be this first in a month ) the stench smell after having the shower cleaned is still well over hours time to be gone.... Im not sure if 2 days could clear the smell... Im glad I use my own towels...If they cant replace a $13.00 strap, they sure arent going to spend $12.00 on a shower without the free credit...

 

Safety glasses. Always wear safety glasses. One bungie cord in the eye will change your life forever.

 

Don't forget coil bunks. And, if you're going to carry everything you'll ever need (everything in this thread)... Add a lighter truck and trailer to the list.

 

where are you located ? I still have a nearly complete second set of gear I could give you a deal on.

but to me it would be like this (this is based on a minimal cost setup, some would choose grade 100 chain, or all ratchet binders, etc.. I'm just telling you quickest, cheapest setup to get rolling)

must have
12 - 20' x 5/16" grade 70 chain
10 - snap binders
4 - ratchet binders
12 - 4" straps
2 - 4" ratchets
12 - 2" staps and ratchets
24 - edge protectors (I am a big fan of the mini Vee-boards they sell at mytee-products, just a bit bigger than your average corner protector, last much longer)
1 - breaker bar/winch bar
1 - tape measure
50 - 300 bungees (one box will do, but if you wind up tarping big and odd sized things you can never have too many.)

you may be able to get started with just that, depending where you live and what you haul.

things you should have
2- 16x28 tarps
1- 16x16 tarp
padding - I carry 12 furniture pads, but some guys prefer to grab cardboard, wad up paper, pieces of carpet, diapers, you can use about anything just have to cover sharp edges and corners to protect your load. I once cut a plastic barrel in 1/2 to cover a piece sticking way up.

just those three tarps will get you a lot of loads, and they are easy to handle. But if you plan on going to areas with lots of lumber loads or plan to haul products requiring 8' drop tarps you may want to start with big ones. I have 8' drops and I rarely carry them, I just don't need them for most of the stuff I run and the loads requiring them don't pay that well I can always find something else just as good no tarp or 4' drop.

1 - strap winder
16 - 2' vee boards (optional but this is something I use a lot, besides shingles and things that require them great for spreading the strap tension out on boxes and crates and things or protecting finish from chains)
6-10 - hardwood 4x4's beveled (keep your eyes open you can often grab these for free at some shippers and recievers. ask first of course ! some places have them and make you buy them. When you get some good ones you like hang on to them !
6 - coil racks
1 - spring loaded banding cutter/snips

that's about all I can think of off the top of my head for basics, not a bad idea to keep some 2x4's, a hammer and saw, and some 16p nails either. 80% of securement is to stop it going forward, somethimes nailing down a board is a simple way to help achieve that.

good luck !