Securement Question

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Chewy352, Nov 20, 2014.

  1. Chewy352

    Chewy352 Road Train Member

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    I haul a lot of cable reels. When they have cable on them I secure them like you see in the pictures with 2 5/16" grade 7 chain and binders. They usually do not weigh more than 9400lbs so I would be sufficiant there correct?

    When I have a full reel which weighs approx 13,000 lbs I add an additional chain going through the same hole and straight down to the rail which would cover me to 14,100lbs correct?

    On the pictured load all of these reels are empty and the heaviest weighs approx. 900 lbs. My boss thinks that I would be sufficiant having two chains on the front and back reels like normal to control the whole load from front to back motion and then one chain going through and straight down from each reel between the front and back ones to control their up and down motion. All the reels are interlaced into each other tightly and I would be able to have one chain on each since they are below 1,100 lbs but I don't feel that the middle ones are properly secured from all motion with just one chain. What do you think?

    I do have some 3/8" grade 7 chains but all of my binders are 5/16" so I know that I have to calculate the lowest WLL.

    If I am just completely FUBARed please tell me how you would do it. I am brand new to flatbedding and find it very rewording but boy is it different then hooking up to a sealed box trailer and just taking it from poin A to point B.

    Truck 1.jpg Truck 2.jpg
     
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  3. DMH

    DMH Medium Load Member

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    Your good weight wise but run 2 chains if it makes you feel better. Not gonna hurt anything with a extra chain or 2.
     
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  4. Chewy352

    Chewy352 Road Train Member

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    Thanks DMH. Is it the total WLL of all the chains or half the WLL ex. 2 5/16" grade 7 chain and binders can hold 9400 lbs or 2 5/16" grade 7 chain and binders can hold 4700.
     
  5. skootertrashr6

    skootertrashr6 Medium Load Member

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    Indirect tie down ( from one side of trailer, over or through load to other side of trailer ) is full WLL. Direct tie down ( from one side of trailer to a point on load and/or returned to same side ) half WLL. So for your example would get full WLL
     
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  6. Chewy352

    Chewy352 Road Train Member

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    That explains it. I've been reading the FMCSA handbook and they don't explain things very well.
     
  7. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    You still have to consider the stake pocket rating,not for this load but maybe a different situation.
     
  8. Chewy352

    Chewy352 Road Train Member

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    How do I find out what the stake pocket rating is? When I do chain around a stake pocket I chain around the whole pocket. I figure the pressure is better on two welds then just one. We also have what look like round bars in the rub well which I try to use as much as possible.
     
  9. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    Normally there is a sticker on the trailer that lists the WLL of the stake pockets and pipe spools. Pipe spools are the round things that you see, normally two between each stake pocket, some trailers only have one between the pockets.
     
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  10. Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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    Used to haul alot of these myself for Watsontown Trucking going to mines in the mid-west, western areas. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on securing them. My only question is does the shipper do the blocking/bracing for you? Or do you do it afterwards? Because that one pic didn't have any dunnage on it. Dunno if that was a loaded reel or an empty one though.

    Loaded our reels were usually in the 20k lb range, but this was steel cable for mining elevators and such. Usually only took 2 reels at a time out. But the shipper always set up all bracing on the deck. I never counted it as securement, obviously, but it was nice for that extra piece of mind. Additionally, with the blocking on the front and back of the reel where it meets the deck, that one chain pulling straight down makes even more sense (not that it doesn't otherwise, mind you.)

    Empty we'd get loaded alot like your pics, 7-8 reels at a time. What I did was put a 4x4 under the front of the front most one, put a single chain pulling it forward into the dunnage, then secured the very rear one with one chain pulling forward. Then I put another 4x4 under the back of that one, wedged in as tight as I could get it. Both 4x4s got at least a 2 inch strap over them as well. Then every reel except that last one got a chain pulling to the rear, including the front one which then had 2 chains on it. Rest all had 1. Keep in mind though the angles on these chains were't really flat, they still were mostly down to the deck. Prolly about 75-80degs from the deck. Never had an issue with the empties even moving a tiny bit, except when one with a hidden rotten piece decided to crumble a bit... (wooden reels, yay....)
     
  11. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

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    FMCSA is the minimum standard to be legal. Minimum! I agree with you, reels should have 2 chains. Doesn't take much longer to run 2 so why wouldn't you ?
     
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