Flatbedders, looking for a little advice.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by arkdave, Oct 30, 2010.

  1. arkdave

    arkdave Bobtail Member

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    Oct 9, 2010
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    Well, soon I will be pulling flatbed. I was working for a rig-moving company and everything we hauled was big and heavy so there are alot of similarities in load securement and what not.

    What I am curious about are your techniques for securing loads such as steel coils whether in shotgun, suicide, etc...

    I had ways that I did things when I was being loaded to save a little time such as getting chains and binders ready before or while being loaded, and making sure the binders were ran back out. If I knew straps or flags would be needed then those were gotten out as well.

    So what techniques do you use? What helps you and saves you time when chaining down loads like building materials or steel coils? And tarps. Cant forget those things, even though we never tarped anything in the oilfield. So any advice on that is appreciated. Thanks guys!
     
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  3. Firebird

    Firebird Light Load Member

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    I would guess that you are going to get as many different ways to do this as there are people on this site.

    Personally, I have everything laid out on the deck where I need it or can get to it easily. Not always possible, but saves time when you can.

    If I need 4 chains for a shotgun coil I have two chains at the back of the deck, two at the front, with binders of course..Two edge protectors at the back, two at the front etc.

    Just develop a pattern to do it and refine it until it works for you.
     
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  4. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    Who will you be driving for?
     
  5. Madbull

    Madbull Bobtail Member

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    Ratchet binders.... yes you'll have to buy them yourself since most companies are to cheap to care about your safety by using snap binders. The first time you break a snap binder if you don't hurt yourself you'll completely understand.

    And as far as coils go suicide is the only way for me. They seem to ride better, tarp better, and I would rather have my life on the line more than the bus load of kids that is riding next to me.

    If your going with a company that hauls a lot of brick like I do then a good set of brick boards can save you loads of time and can be useful tools. Unlike the belief of many drivers a good set of home made brick boards can be used to help you secure more than brick. Such as palletized dirt, and what not.
     
  6. frdr

    frdr Medium Load Member

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    houston, tx.
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    To each his own. I always preferred snap binders. They are faster to install on chains (don't have to back out and adjust), and tighten (no ratcheting). Any load securement will have to be tightened, as slight shifting of load going down the road will happen.
    Where people get hurt with snap binders is overtightening them with a cheater pipe. Since the load securement will have to be checked and tightened, overtightening the binders at initial loading point isn't needed. Just make sure there tight. you will adjust as needed on your 25 mile, and 2 hour securement checks.
     
  7. arkdave

    arkdave Bobtail Member

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    Oct 9, 2010
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    I am going to work for WTI Transportation.
     
  8. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    Get yourself a copy of the National Cargo Securement Standards handbook. It goes through the typical loads and how to secure them. Many places are referencing them as a minimum standard.

    I for one NEVER tie down to the minimum limit. I tend to go to the 1 to 1 or better side of things. Up to now I have not had one load shift or get criticized by inspection. On open deck work if you have more than enough straps/chains the scale master tends to count them and then give you the green light. If you take the time to secure a load over minimums then chances are you take care of your rig as well. They tend to go after the ones that have 'just enough' straps to handle the weight. It is easier to find a strap or chain that is out of spec and issue a fine on those loads.

    That's just me though. You will develop your own way of securing loads and tarping. Oh BTW, when tarping, start with the rearmost tarp first, then the next one towards the front and so on. Watch some of the guys doing it when you load and ask for some advice. Most are more than happy to show you a few tricks to tarp. Oh yeah, if you are tarping a high load in the wind and the tarp gets a gust of air up under it and tries to take off. LET IT! It will take you with it.
     
    JimTheHut and l<enny Thank this.
  9. dino6960

    dino6960 YOUDAMAN

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    i found when i was hauling coils, you get your own system,what works best for you, you said you have heavy haul exsprience,watch your chain rateings,check your load,myself i 'v always done overkill witha extra chain or two.. to me it is peace of mind,think about it ? how much time did it realy cost you? 5-10 minits??? that 5-10 minits could make all the difference in the world depending on the situation weather the load stays on the trailer or not!!! this is just my opinon from past exsprience, take it for what it is worth:biggrin_25525:
     
  10. Boardhauler

    Boardhauler Road Train Member

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    Google "steel coil securement" for a bunch of info on how to do it legally
     
  11. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    They are a Boyd Company and they will have their own standards of how they will do everything and should have some sort of class to explain everything.

    I use both the ratchet and the over easy binders. However I prefer the ratchet binder because they rarely ever loosen up.

    The shotgun coil load has the advantage that it has up to four chains through the eye, straps over the top, and a trip chain in front of the coil.
    It does take longer to set up, but you can tighten the straps without having to get into your tarp.
     
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