The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

This is not the same load but similar.

Chains thru middle and alternating binders

 

How much weight there?

 

Cant quite remeber but pretty light. Maybe 30k total.

 

I gotta agree with @FoolsErrand. I’ve always secured through the very center. That I believe is the strongest part of the reel.

 

Sorry for late response i wasnt ignoring you... For some reason i dont get to see all messages until later on?? Theres always new stuff i missed when i go back through a thread.

Anyway i understand your concern but the "+" brace is made of stamped C channels, probably 3/16 or 1/4" plate with a generous radius and id say 1.5" flange. Plus theyre short spans. Thats very stiff in all dimensions. A radius C channel is much more rigid than a mill run C channel because the press brake work hardens the radius.

Those spools are very strong. You can see how small the chain crinkles are on the rim where shes got it bound, as others have before her. And thats a flat flange with overhang.. Just imagine how stout that metal would be after press braking a radius 90 in to make the center hub channels. Very, very beefy construction. Even if it was sheetmetal that structure shape is quite rigid. Think of the corners on a washer or dryer or 55 gallon drum. Ive stacked cars on them.

Yes, thats why they have a tremendous amount of lateral stiffness built from the hub tapering to the rim. Those spokes werent random or cheap to create. Very stout reels. Impressive actually.

I didnt mean to pick on you or beat a dead horse. It woulda been quicker for me to just say 'thru the center' but i dont like saying 'just trust me.' Id much prefer to say here is my logic and if you agree, trust yourself. I think what you did was just fine. But i think one thru the center straight down and two more like you had would be less iron and even more secure.

Ive hauled cable reels in the middle of the load with just straps thru the center and fire hose edge protection. 14 reels takes more chain than i care to carry.

 

Dude...I used to be a structural steel designer lol. Just not those types of shapes. More f&d heads flat plate and tees/angels. For non moving environments. So I appreciate your input.

 

Nice!

 

I have a tendency of vastly underestimating the strength of structures. Better under than over though. I'd rather keep my truck out of this thread.

 

Agreed.. Definitely better safe than sorry.

Theres a saying among arborists and other who trust their lives to knots. "If ya cant tie a knot, tie a lot!" As you get better it takes less and less rope to keep you alive. Anchor hitch is a great example compared to say a bowline or double fishermans.

Its the same with metalwork. When you start out everything takes 6" I-beam and heavy wall square tube and you STILL rip it apart. 20 years later youre building light weight high horsepower hi speed this that and the other from thinwall 1" tube and sheetmetal without failures. Milling out pockets and die stamping holes for weight reduction and increased stiffness. Just takes a lot of time to find out what you can and cant break, all part of the fun.

And the failures make good mailbox art and carnage trophies to pass out at the races next season.

 

Thoughts?