Straps on rub rail or underneath (trailer permitting)?

I have a Fontaine like @D.Tibbitt, so I dont have to mess with rub rails. But on my companies older trailers, I go to the underside where there's a lip for the hook to grab. If something happens that load is gonna have to rip the whole side of the trailer off or break the straps instead of that flimsy rub rail.

 

I have yet to see an accident where the the rail was ripped off the trailer because there was straps hooked to it. Also, chaining to stake pockets or spools is no different than strapping to the rail. They are only single pass welded too.

 

Stop it! The side of the trailer, that’s attached in the exact same manner as he rubrail, is indestructible!

I have seen rubrails torn off by big eye to the side coils before. Hooking to the edge of the trailer probably would have done the same thing in my opinion.

 

Rubrails that are rated have a higer WLL than straps.

 

What if your load is 8' wide or wider?
I like most ppl avoid the rubrail whenever possible but sometimes its the only option.

 

I only use the rub rail as a last resort and it's not holding anything heavy. I mean it's only a 3" tall, 3/8" thick piece of aluminum bar. I don't care if its single welded or double welded, I try and avoid it even if the rail has a WLL which a lot of the lower end trailers like Utility don't have rated rub rails.

I absolutely hate the Fontain trailers with the new rub rail (not new now but yeah). The little clips are a PITA (if some other driver didn't break them off altogether). Those hook slots will piss off even the calmest and patient of people. Now the trailers we had at the time didn't come with the J hook plates for the floor and all that cool stuff because the company removed them all before putting the trailers into service. This is because of the crappy drivers who take and hoard things, especially more than they need (you know. Those guys that drop damaged trailers with broke lights, flat tires etc for the next guy to fix ).

Trying to stuff folded straps like you would any other trailer is aggravating. The least they could have done is make the slots an additional 3/8 -1/4" wider to make it a little easier. Over all, the trailers would work you twice as hard as you normally would and in 100 degrees under the blazing ### sun here in the south will make anyone pray for death. ☠

Only thing I can give those trailers is they do ride nice and track very well plus the dunnage and tool boxes are nice.

Pardon my review rant.

Now what I don't get is these guys who hook straps and chains to the frame rails.

Several years ago I was shown a diagram of what happens when load securement is hooked to the frame rails, creating excess side tension that the frame rails aren't designed for and weakens the trailer. Then theres the thought of running straps behind the rub rail just to hook them to the frame is crazy too. Won't hurt anything if another truck side swipes you but if a small car gets under there, game over for those straps.

I'll be honest. I see a lot of guys out there cutting corners and doing things they shouldn't and in my opinion, anyone who cuts corners with open deck freight has no business flatbedding. Can't tell ya how many guys I've gotten into arguments with about throwing Cali rolls which I wish people would knock off because people get hurt that way. To many people out here nowadays wanting to play the flatbedder part but are half asking and cut corners instead of playing the full roll we are responsible for.

 

What is that?

 

Bottom of the barrel "sushi"?
Yeah im lost too

 

It's so fresh it still has the hook in it?

 

No, its imitation crabmeat cucumber rice and avocado. In the off chance its real crab, its overcooked to tastelessness

Its the kind of "sushi" that you feed people that like the IDEA of exotic food but hate any flavor or actual exotic food