Load Securement
1) The Initial Load Assessment
- Load the flatbed trailer with the cargo. Ask the shipper how much the cargo weighs.
- Divide the total weight of the cargo by the load capacity of an individual chain or strap.
Note: Know how much your straps and chains are rated for when you purchase them.
For example: If the load weighs 50,000 pounds, 10 chains or straps will be needed to legally tie down the load. Here is the formula below:
Total Weight of cargo
Number of Straps/chains = _________________________________
Load capacity of individual chain or strap
Number of Straps/chains = _________________________________
Load capacity of individual chain or strap
Other important rules:
- 2 straps within the first 5 feet from the front of the load.
- 1 strap minimum per piece if the piece is shorter than 10 feet.
- 1 strap for every 10 feet after the first 5.
Note: Know your equipment and their weight ratings:
Chains and Binders
For heavier loads usually coils of aluminum or steel and farm equipment. Each chain can be hooked into a piece of the load or into segments of the ICC Bar. The chain is then pulled taught and a binder is attached and used to tighten the chain. 5/16 inch grade chain 16 - 25 inches: 4700 pounds 3/8 inch grade chain 16-25 inches: 6600 pounds 1/2 inch grade chain 16-25 inches: 11300 pounds |
Rope
The DOT doesn't particularly like this form of securement. It is not particularly reliable and the smallest fray in the rope or just a little bit too much slack in the rope can mean that a load and it's driver roll over . As a result I have not seen it used very often, only in the lightest of loads and usually only coming from Mexico where good gear can be hard to find. Many flat bedders do however keep rope on their trucks just in case. It can be more than useful for tarping coils where a driver cannot have bungie cords rubbing up against the product. If you are going to use rope, check the weight rating on the packaging and check every time it's used for any frays. |
2) Setting up the Load
- Inspect the position of the load on the trailer. Ensure that each piece of cargo is in line with at least two winches on the side of the trailer.
- Use two straps over each piece of cargo that could be damaged by chains and use two chains and two binders over cargo that cannot be damaged by chains.
- Cover all edges of cargo with pieces of remnant carpet, edge protectors, rubber strips or moving blankets to protect them from damage caused when tightening down straps and chains.
3) Tying down the Load
There are many different ways for putting a strap into a wench. Every drivers is influenced largely by his trainer. Here is the one I am familiar with:
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Here is a video that goes into more detail courtesy of Sergie Dratchev.
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4) Securing a load with Chains or Binders
First off, know what the weight ratings on your chains are. Here is a site with more info on the types of chains available:
Much like with straps, there are also many ways to use a chain to tie down a load. The process also differs between types of loads. Here are the two I am familiar with:
- The chain crosses the trailer (coil load, strap substitution)
- The chain stays on one side of the trailer (Equipment load)
- Make sure the hooks are either attached to the load itself or wrapped around a post hole or two of the bars (located between the trailer and the icc bumper), and then hooked back onto the chain itself.
- Tighten the chain and attach a binder onto to the chain keeping it taught. Tighten the binder and then wrap the slack from the chain around the binder and secure it with a bungie.
Once you have safely secured you load you can move on to tarping if you are being paid for it. Tarping >>>