Double-check your specs and evenly distribute cargo on the flatbed trailer.

Be a stickler for manufacturer ratings and recommendations when hauling heavy freight on your flatbed trailer. If there's even a sliver of doubt, be sure to check your trailer's load rating and verify your tractor's maximum towing capacity. Weight ratings are usually found inside the driver's door and on the trailer identification plate. Exceeding these limits can have dangerous consequences. The maximum freight weight for standard flatbed trailers is 48,000 pounds, but the cargo must be distributed evenly to prevent the trailer from swerving uncontrollably or tipping over. Calculating and distributing weight plays a major role in cargo securement. Keeping a low center of gravity and placing heavier items lower to the deck and above the axles. About 60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer to keep the back end slightly less heavy and unwieldy in transit.

Select the correct tiedown equipment, plan out cargo placement and secure the load.

Once cargo is safely loaded and distributed on the trailer bed, it's time to determine how many tiedowns you need and where they should go. FMCSA requires at least one tiedown for every 10 feet of cargo and any fraction beyond that. For example, freight that's 35 feet long would require four tiedowns. Plus, the total working load limit of the securement devices, tiedown straps and chains must be 50% of the total cargo weight. Choosing the right securement device depends largely on the cargo itself. Chain binders, chains and ratchet straps keep freight tightly fastened in place when your rig is moving. Cargo straps may be a better choice for softer materials like lumber or plastic piping, but they are more easily damaged and should be checked thoroughly before each use. Corner and edge protectors are a good investment to extend the lifespan of your trailer's tiedown straps.

After you've selected the proper load securement equipment, placement and anchoring of tiedowns on your flatbed trailer is paramount. You'll want a clear strategy based on best practices. After 50 miles, do a quick inspection to make sure no cargo has shifted and that your tiedowns are holding.

Take the necessary precautions when working on or around the flatbed trailer.

When securing heavy cargo, flatbed drivers must be extremely careful when working on and around their trailers. Trucks don't have to be moving for accidents to happen—they can and do occur during the loading, securement and unloading processes. And they can result in life-threatening injuries or even death.

Fall injuries, in particular, have been a focus of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. Climbing onto trailers, walking atop cargo and jumping down may seem harmless as you're going about your load strapping and securement process, but these actions can result in all sorts of mishaps that could lead to broken bones or something worse. Slips, trips and falls are a real threat in this line of work, accounting for 30% of work-related injuries—and half of those injuries are critical. Winter is considered the most hazardous time of year for these types of injuries.

Follow these tips to stay safe:

Choose the right tarps if needed and properly secure them.

Tarping is another main point to the flatbed truckers. These cargo covers won't be necessary for every load, but when they are, you'll want to make sure you're choosing the best flatbed tarp and tarping your trailer like a pro.

Tarpaulin sheets and systems will keep your freight protected from the elements and ensure that your payload arrives in pristine condition. Different types of cargo require different tarps. Some tarps are made specifically for hauling lumber or steel, while others are designed to guard freight from the wind. Depending on your intended application, custom flatbed tarps are another option.

Covering cargo with a tarp—even a lightweight flatbed tarp—is physically challenging without a forklift. These protective barriers can weigh up to 150 pounds, and affixing them outdoors can be even more difficult if it's hot or the wind is whipping up. That said, roadside tarping is considered a cardinal sin in flat bedding. Never attempt to cover cargo or rearrange your tarp alongside moving traffic. Reserve this task for rest stops or parking lots. Tarping takes practice, but there's a set of general rules you'll want to add to your securement checklist. Here are the basics: