headboard/cab rack

it's pretty gray in the rules, but if you plan on needing chains, you'll be glad you have one, and with winter coming, I've seen lumber slide forward even with lots of straps stuff can slide forward, and a new $500 rack is a lot cheaper than a new bunk

 

No, it's no longer a requirement.

 

I always thought they were required but saw more and more guys without them so I asked. Wish I would have known that earlier because we had a guy leased on with us with a LONG 379 and we had a customer that had loads of 60' beams weekly we could have hauled with it but didn't he didn't have a headache rack so I turned the loads down. Live and learn I guess.

 

You do not need a headboard ,but if you do not have one you need an extra chain or strap in the 1st 8ft off the load or 2 on the 1st pallet.

 

I forgot about that. Same rule if the load is more than like 4' from the bulkhead.

 

Nothing grey about it...it's not required.

 

I always thought that if you didn't have one you had to build a temp bulkhead infront of the load.

 

Here's the regulation if you are using the front end structure as part of the securement system. If I were driving these loads I would have a headache rack. Some of the wrecks I have seen, I've seen some headache racks stop a piece of cargo from going into the cab. Had a log hauler a few years ago that had a log come through the back of the cab and struck him in the head. But like many have posted they are not required.


§393.114 What are the requirements for front end structures used as part of a cargo securement system?
(a) Applicability. The rules in this section are applicable to commercial motor vehicles transporting articles of cargo that are in contact with the front end structure of the vehicle. The front end structure on these cargo-carrying vehicles must meet the performance requirements of this section.
(b) Height and width. (1) The front end structure must extend either to a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at which it blocks forward movement of any item or article of cargo being carried on the vehicle, whichever is lower.
(b)(2) The front end structure must have a width which is at least equal to the width of the vehicle or which blocks forward movement of any article of cargo being transported on the vehicle, whichever is narrower.
(c) Strength. The front end structure must be capable of withstanding the following horizontal forward static load:
(c)(1) For a front end structure less than 6 feet in height, a horizontal forward static load equal to one-half (0.5) of the weight of the articles of cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire portion of the front end structure that is within 4 feet above the vehicle’s floor or that is at or below a height above the vehicle’s floor at which it blocks forward movement of any article of the vehicle’s cargo, whichever is less; or
(c)(2) For a front end structure 6 feet in height or higher, a horizontal forward static load equal to four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the articles of cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire front end structure.
(d) Penetration resistance. The front end structure must be designed, constructed, and maintained so that it is capable of resisting penetration by any article of cargo that contacts it when the vehicle decelerates at a rate of 20 feet per second, per second. The front end structure must have no aperture large enough to permit any article of cargo in contact with the structure to pass through it.
(e) Substitute devices. The requirements of this section may be met by the use of devices performing the same functions as a front end structure, if the devices are at least as strong as, and provide protection against shifting articles of cargo at least equal to, a front end structure which conforms to those requirements.