The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

I was showing some edge protectors. The hog tie in the picture (4th) chain is simply used to keep it from tipping over. That is not added to securement. It also has a binder on each side for equal tension. That coil is 75" tall and 13" wide. Didn't weigh anything. If I recall 21,000lbs. 3 chains more than secure it. Tipping over was a bigger concern. I would never waist my time hog tie a coil with a wide foot print.

Technically there is 3 complete chains and 5 binders one that coil. 3 securments, on tip over. Sometimes
you have to work hard. I dislike it.

Suicide coil, your chain angle from coil to tie-down should be less than 45⁰. Prevents sideways movement. Racks and lumber stop forward and rearward. Your building a cradle. All parts are extremely important.

I also feel the first chain check is the most important. I always stop and check them. Haven't seen anyone pull in and check them next to me for years. They must have better chain than me.






Your racks, lumber, and rubber prevent forward movement. The chains hold it in the racks to the trailer. Why you never want your chains way out in each direction. Keep then straight down to trailer as short as possible.

Same for U chains on shotgun. Short and immediately to the trailer. Do not spread them out. More importantly, you need to protect the coil from telescoping in a hard brake or Collison.

Think of this. You have 4 U chains on a shotgun coil. 2 u chains each side. Trailer frame breaks, someone runs a red light and hits you. You have 50% failure on the damaged side. It's coming of the trailer. The X chain is more safety than securment.

The chain or strap over the top. Trailers flex to much for that to matter, it's to long of a run. If you have to rely on that for securement, you Fudged.

Now straps over hand tarp. I probably would use it for tarp securement. Because I admit my hand tarping skills lack greatly. Always jealous to see the guys that make them look like pretty Christmas presents.

My Christmas present look just as horrible as my hand tarping.

 

See that's the poor attitude this industry has. I'll take getting smashed before a load leaves my trailer and harms someone else. My truck, my trailer, my problem.

 

Yes, but everyone has different equipment. Now someone can verify this, I don't have my book in front of
X chain is not required, but allowed on shotgun. It is not allowed on suicide. I prefer one set on shotgun.

Problem I see with shotgun that most don't notice, is almost every single shotgun coil will set inside of frame rails. That is unbelievably hard on trailer floors and crossmembers.

 

Well, I have sure asked some stupid questions in life.

I will do my best to help anyone or answer if I know. If I don't, we both can go find someone who does.

 

Some other folks on here are much better citing specific rules and regs.

But I'll give all of you the best advise I ever received as a very young man learning to haul these.


First treat them as a live creature. Keep them standing up and on the trailer. They are alive and will kill you.


Second, put as much chain on it to make you comfortable. Drive like it has no chains on them.

This is one thing you can do exactly right and still have problems.

 

Do the rear just like you did the front and it will be spot on. Like @ducnut said, don't be afraid to "pin the corners" of your tarp past the product and tuck the excess in between the end and sides. In this pic the red lines indicate the coil, the blue is where I pinned the corners and the yellow is where all the excess is tucked after folding it and rolling it up. I pinned the rear well past the coil to allow room for the excess, some guys put it in front, either way works.

 

First your racks and lumber add zero help forward or rearward. They suggest a trip chain also on shot gun. There is one I'll get a ticket for someday.

I recognize the need for trip chain on certain products or equipment. A coil isn't one. Personal opinion.

 

We were supposed to use friction mats under our coil setups. They were like 1/8" thick and kept something between the steel coil racks and aluminum decking. I could argue it's effectiveness both ways.

 

It's also the law the way I read it.

 

That’s interesting. I did not know you had to strap a coil over the top. I thought people only did it for tarp reasons. At least that’s how I interpret the first section.