Secure load

Yes it sounds like you do need dunnage (wood blocks). Do you have any pics of the load so we can see it and give the best advice?

 

Yes, u need to have blocks in between the bundles. I just picked up a load like that today in AR.

Besides, if they are loose and you stop, expect them to come say hello to you in the cab

 

Get some pieces of oak 6x6 cut high enough to reach the top of each bundle and put a few of them between each bundle so your load is all "tight" together.

 

While it would be better to have blocks between the bundles, I know of at least 2 shippers who will not block between the bundles even if you had your own blocks. I have been in pretty good arguments at both places. I ended up building a front and a rear wood bulkhead to prevent forward and rear movement, and checking straps often. BTW, one of them shippers is the ameristeel plant in jackson, tn and the other is roanoke bar div, in roanoke, va.

 

You guys are going overboard, from my understanding of what he said he just needs to bulkhead the next bundle with an extra strap.

easier said than done to go buy 18 feet of oak and then just slide it down in there so it's tight.

 

Or just buy a dump box and load them in there LOL

 

Whenever I have to have blocks between bundles of steel pipes, I just add a couple of circle-wrap straps.

Not sure if DOT considers that sufficient or not (probably depends on which officer you ask), but the blocks won't go anywhere as long as you keep the circle wraps tight.

 

I hauled bar exclusively for 5 years and we always blocked in between for o/h crane unloading. Without blocks the bundles settle out and the chains become loose. A good DOT guy will nail you in a instant. A bulkhead is a good practice also. A lot of guys will strap/chain 3 4x4's across in front of the bundles.
MrEd. Ameristeel in Ontario was like that also. They did it because the crane operators were A-holes and liked to pick up two bundles at one time with space between them. They finally stopped after numerous carriers got insecure load tickets. The MTO had to actually go to the mill and threaten them with fines for not letting drivers block the steel. Sooo glad we don't load there anymore.

 

If you're not blocking in between the bundles, then you're not securing the three bundles in the center, only the outer two, and even those really aren't secured. Think of it like loading units of Lumber or something that are spaced out and not touching in the center of the trailer.