As towing industry standard, a flatbed tow truck is a go-to tow truck for most towing situations thanks to it’s powerful combination of ease of use and quality of service. It is mostly preferred for car towing because it lifts the whole car so that it doesn’t touch the ground, thereby lessening the risk of damaging the car while it is being transported.
However, working with huge objects can also be dangerous especially if the vehicles are not properly secured or properly loaded into the trailer. That is why you need to be careful while driving especially at night. Also, improper unloading of the vehicle can be fatal because it can easily hurt anyone in the way. Ensuring safety while loading and unloading a flatbed tow truck should be practiced. Here are a few tips you should remember.
Preparing The Tow Truck
Before you load anything on the flatbed, it should first be checked. Make sure it isn’t corroded or damaged. Make sure that the flatbed trailer is properly attached to the truck. Check the “D” rings shouldn’t be bent and be tight. Any damage or deformations should be repaired before the tow truck is dispatched.
You also need to check if the deck is leveled. A visual confirmation will usually be enough at this point. You should also check on the ramps and make sure that they are securely attached to the trailer. Check to see if they rest firmly on the ground when they are lowered.
When the ramps aren’t used, they are usually stored against the deck of the trailer. These will usually have lock pins or straps to keep them in place while traveling. When working with the ramps, always make sure to follow safe lifting procedures in order to lessen the risk of getting injured.
Safety While Loading The Flatbed Trailer
When towing a vehicle, you have to make sure that it’s weight plus the weight of the trailer doesn’t exceed the gross vehicle weight that the hitch and trailer tongue can handle. If that happens, it can create a sway while towing.
It is also important to consider the weight distribution of the load. This has something to do with the axles, wheels, and tires of the flatbed trailer. Make sure that you don’t overload the axles. In some cases, you’ll also need to consider the front-to-rear load distribution, this is especially true for tandem or triple axle flatbeds.
One important thing to keep in mind is to keep the center of gravity of your trailer as low as possible. This can be done by keeping the heaviest of items on the floor, above the axles. Also, you should make sure that sixty percent of the total cargo lies on the front half of the flatbed. This is why towed cars are located closer to the front than the back.
After positioning the load, it is imperative to secure the vehicle with tensioning devices, straps, or chains. The load must be properly secured while transporting because it is often a bumpy ride. Make sure that the vehicle on top of the flatbed doesn’t move or else you risk losing control of the truck.
Safety While Unloading The Flatbed
Unloading the vehicle will depend on the different machinery available and required to move the vehicle. If the vehicle is totaled, a crane will usually be used. Make sure to clear the area when your not really needed because cars are very heavy and can be fatal.
If you need to go up the deck, to remove the straps or tension over the car, you should make use of the trailer ladder. Use this to climb up and down the trailer. Although some simply use the tires of the truck, you can easily be unbalanced with it especially if you are carrying something.
