Avoiding claims?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by bigNATURE, Jan 29, 2015.

  1. bigNATURE

    bigNATURE Medium Load Member

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    Im in the process of transferring as an owner over to platform, will be hauling on the open deck by mid-feb.

    Claims are not good for anyone, but as a owner I feel the need to keep an extra extra eye on claims.

    one thing that is concerning me at the moment is winch straps over weak pallets/crates. They seem pretty easy to crush,

    so my question is how do you find that balance between safe and secure and avoiding claims?

    any other rants or tips about avoiding claims would be greatly appreciated.

    i plan on stocking up on carpet and duck tape to wrap around machinery, I've got 40 vee boards enough to use on 20 winch straps because I know here @ Landstar we have loads needing 17+ straps at times, plus I think I will be over securing anyways, I'll be ordering some friction mats as well
     
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  3. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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    Broken pallets under a load don't usually equal a claim: shippers that value their product tend to use good pallets if it matters. only pallet I've had crush was under super sacks of coal & only 1 busted.

    Do what you can to prevent damage. If you think something may be an issue: ask someone for a second opinion (or third: there's plenty of people with stupid opinions) and give it one more walk around double check.
     
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  4. bigNATURE

    bigNATURE Medium Load Member

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    Right on... Some of these crates I see passing by look flimsy, then tied down they start to bow. I just don't want claims on stuff like that and dang sure don't want an un secured load by loosening up to much to prevent the claim
     
  5. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Load claims are an absolute pain in the tailfeathers to avoid. Just gotta be careful in how you secure your freight, and drive your load as best you can. I've had a few loads that I couldn't tighten the straps as much as I would like. I was reeeallllly careful hauling those loads to prevent shifting or damage.
     
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  6. fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    I'm pretty adamant about having shippers load the product the right way, even if they don't want to. I spout the mantra, I always deliver in the same condition as it is picked up, I need you to do this, this, and this to allow me to do that. The big 12x12 plastic edge protectors do pretty well on cardboard boxes. Use common sense and you'll be fine.
     
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  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    I know you're talking about insurance claims, but bear with me...

    Some of the worst loads I've seen are those machinery loads that have to be tarped. Some manufacturing company goes out of business, and they sell off all the production machines to Mexico. There will be clues....1) the load goes to a border town (Laredo, Nogales, OtayMesa )2)load has to be tarped.

    They pile this old, greasy, junky machine on your trailer, and then pile all the hoses, brackets, shelving, and all the hardware, nuts and bolts on your trailer. Your tarp is to "help" hold the piles of junk on your trailer. And you ruin a good tarp. Don't do it.

    The reason why I brought up the old, greasy machines is because you will find a shipper who has a load of Palletized flimsy boxes who wants the load tarped because the tarp is going to help hold the load on. Don't do it. There's no degree of winning, just various degrees of losing. If the load is that flimsy, it should be on a van.
     
  8. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    Rain!! Wet products packaging and that may look wet will cause a claim. Stuff package in cardboard will look wet even with good tarps, cardboard will hold water and not dry out in the wind. Stuff package in paper, like coils same goes.
     
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  9. bigNATURE

    bigNATURE Medium Load Member

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    Wow, that's a helpful perspective..
     
  10. bigNATURE

    bigNATURE Medium Load Member

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    Any tips on avoiding the wet claims sir?
     
  11. nikmirbre

    nikmirbre Road Train Member

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    Ive never seen a load requiring 17 straps…….:) some agents tell you on some pipe loads you gotta have 13…..
     
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