Question:
I am looking in to flatbedding when I get out of cdl school. Pre hired by SMX. What do the companies give you as far as tools and tarps and such? What do I need to buy myself to make it easier out there. What kind of flatbed coveralls are best? Any help is appreciated. Give me any and all advice.

Answer:

Wait until you actually have a CDL and job before you spend any cash. A Prehire
meens nothing.
Answer:
Depends on what kind of freight you will be hauling. Company will provide you with any tie downs needed. (chains, binders, ratchet binders, straps, tarps, winch bars etc) Or they should anyways.....
Only thing I needed to provide for myself was ladder, cheater bar, broom, hammer & nails.
Wait until you find out more from the company as to what they haul and what they provide..
Good Luck
Answer:
You'll have plenty of time to get what you need to do the job. Right now you don't have to worry about it. You'll be going out with a trainer and he'll have what it takes and show you what you'll need. SMX trainers aren't new drivers with only 6 months in. They know what to do. Besides that you don't want to haul a bunch of stuff into the trainers truck. there isn't that much room so take what you personally need and a good map book.
I never wore coveralls but allot of drivers did. Good equals Carhart but they also equal very costly. I would do like RABELAM suggested, wait to buy stuff until your assigned a truck.

Answer:
thanks guys,
I wasnt planning on any major buys anytime soon. I was just curious what may come up later on the road. I have started buying the essentials i see on websites or post such as calculator, rand mcnally maps etc etc
I have the rand mcnally 07 mid size map (didnt want to haul the huge one around). Is that good enough or is there one better?

Answer:
You need to get the full size map book. Spiral bound is best for ease and longevity. Some people buy the extra large print version. They are nice but I don't use that one. The regular print is good but full size spiral bound is a must.
Rand McNally Motor Carriers Map

Answer:
I'd get yourself a good brief case..
A large expandable model brief case will be able to fit a full size atlas as well as a boat load of other paperwork.. pens, calculator, stapler, log book, personal papers.. you get the idea.. just about anything..
Answer:
What everyone else said. Dont bother getting anything specific for the flatbed work until you get in your own truck except a pair of gloves and coveralls (if you like coveralls). Your trainer will probably not want to share these items..

Answer:

Save up....
Answer:
Pick up a clipboard and a small ruler for your log book .

Answer:
I would not waste the $$ on a spiral bound, laminated, atlas.. WHY spend $50 when you can usually find last years regular paper version.. on sale for $5 or so.. get a new one every year and you'll have the latest milage, state info, improvements, and newest road openings..
Sure the laminated will last longer, but I want the newest information and road info.. I can get 1 year out of the paper ones no prob..
(It ususlly happens you have to go to a place on the map that is right in the middle of the page on those laminated ones..right where the info is missing.. Murphy is always around the next corner in this business..lol)
Answer:
There is no information missing in the middle of the spiral bound pages. You can get last years spiral bound for $15.00 and you won't need to buy one next year if your to cheap. Most tradesmen buy the best tools they can. They don't buy the cheapest. But their not truck drivers.

Answer:
Stuff's wrote:

I beg to differ..... Those spirals are not precision cut and the roads don't transfer from 1 page to the other smoothly.. I tried a couple of them spiral bound road atlases .. There are some town names that are cut off.. and some are missing so many letterrs you can't read them look at a state with a lot of names and highways.. like OH, or PA .. Tell me there are NO missing towns there.. Some of the roads are as much as a inch away from each other when changing pages..
I just say it seems silly to spend even $15 on a laminated when you can spend $5 or $6 and get a new one every year and be informed insted of guessing... That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!! LOL
Answer:
I don't beg but I differ.
Are truck drivers the only "tradesmen (some what funny) who think buying cheap tools is the way to go?

Answer:
Why invest in expensive tools when the apprenticeship(snicker) failure rate is as high as it is?
Will the laminated version will make a nice Coffee Table book ?