straps outside frame rail - yes or no ?

Final Rule - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

SUMMARY: FMCSA amends its September 27, 2002, final rule concerning protection against shifting and falling cargo for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operated in interstate commerce in response to petitions for rulemaking ...................


DOE agreed that the FMCSA proposal to rescind Sec. 393.104(f)(4) would not have an adverse impact on safety, but DOE noted that the inference that it is acceptable to attach tiedowns to rub rails appears to be in conflict with requirements for anchor point and the "North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulation."



Kinedyne also recommended retaining the existing Sec. 393.104(f)(4). However, Kinedyne recommended that if this section is eliminated, then the rub rail should be re-identified as a "securement rail" and needs to have an established WLL rating by the trailer manufacturer per Sec. 393.108



FMCSA appreciates the comments provided by EMC, and agrees that vehicle manufacturers can incorporate features that assist the vehicle operators in complying with the cargo securement regulations. The Agency believes that in many instances, the nature of the cargo dictates the ability of the cargo securement devices to meet the existing requirements of Sec. 393.104(f)(4). As discussed in the NPRM, however, State enforcement personnel and motor carriers expressed difficulties in achieving uniform and consistent enforcement of the regulation. Therefore, the Agency rescinds Sec. 393.104(f)(4) as proposed.


That is why today, there is no mention in FMSCA guidelines Part 393.104 that states whether tie down straps should be inside the rub rails or outside the rub rails. The ruling made back in 2002 was rescinded and Part 393.104 was re-written June 22, 2006 and the "with rub rails must be located

 

I was alwasy told inside if the load is not wider then the run rail. Reason is that the rail is a rub rail. If you get side swiped or hit something you want the strap to be protected from being broken. Now inside the rail it is safe. That being said, we hauled 102" loads on 96" trailer all the time. Since the load was wider then the railes, you would side swipe the load before you would side swipe the rub rail so it really didint matter.

 

Hope so.

Anyways, I was posting for the person that would come and tell of a DOT cop that writes tickets for straps not being inside the rub rail (normally a Texas black and white), because of what may happen if a vehicle hits the load from the side and cuts the straps. Widest crate I've ever hauled on a trailer with a rub rail was 13'10 (8000lb crate)wide. Went from Milwaukee to Nogales. If I am inside the rub rail, I will run the straps inside.

i have seen some lowboys with stake pockets and rub rails, but what would be the point of going inside the rub rail?

 

RGN's have rub rails?

 

Inside the rail is no longer a rule.

Had to laugh at the video.

1. Yellow strap has a twist, even after he said no twists.
2. Not sure how the buckle on that blue strap was attached. Looks like it was kind wedged in the rub rail somehow.

 

Everyone I see that rewinds their straps back onto the ratchets just pulls off what they need and therefore have to throw the hook end over the load.

 

I throw hooks all the time in high wind area's on oversize crates.
Sometimes you just need the extra weight to get it over.
Just make sure nobody is on the other side..

 

XL has a option to order rub rails on the front and rear decks.

 

Western trailers have a "vaulted" rubrail. No way to run straps inside.

 

"whenever practical".... What is practical depends too much on the mood.