Flatbedder Killed by Shifting Load in Kansas City

Local flatbed haulers seem to pay much less attention to load securement then OTR/Regional flatbedders. Don't know that I've ever seen a load of plywood on a "local" truck using x-strap securement. Would have been interesting to know what sort of securement and followup was or was not implemented prior to the crash. RIP driver.

 

Have not seen that on regional or otr either. I certainly do not x-strap my load but then you will see 3 straps in the first 10 feet too. Oh and I am not crazy enough to run a flat without a headache rack. Those are the only cabs that I see damaged in all these wrecks, the ones without a headache rack. Besides about the only thing that will pull out in front of me is an elk or a prius and both of them are getting smushed.

 

You pull out in front of me I will crush your 4 wheeler.

 

I agree. I've seen local flatbedders in my area do some truly stupid stuff in load securement. I'm a local driver now, but I still secure like a regional/OTR driver. I've caught some grief from other local guys for taking too long to secure my load. My response generally covers the idea that they should do their jobs properly instead of rushing around like mad men.

 

Evwry once in awhile. Someone posts of an accident. WITH a headache rack. And dead driver.

I saw a tanker. Bore right through rack and cab. And landed on drivers seat. 40 miles from home.

 

If you've scene locals they rely on rope for securement. Any number of cities or towns.
if the OTR skateboarder has any experience with load shift. As well as head ache rack. Arresting forward shift is a must.

 

True, they're no guarantee, but I'd say it saved this guy's life:

 

Last fall I remember reading about 2 fatbedders both with headache racks who died during hard braking. Neither had a collision but both hit brakes hard and load came through headache rack/ cab. It was a big wakeup call as I had a load of plywood shift on me during hard brake when 4wheeler ran a stop sign. I was lucky it only shifted a few feet and straps held.
Every trip could be your last...things happen so fast. There is a fine line between causing product damage being too tight and not tight enough. When in doubt, throw the extra straps/chains. The few mins could save your life

 

wow...another sad story....