i need advice from a professional

in the army , they are twisted to cut down on wind vibration. therefore making the straps last longer..

 

You are NOT allowed to X chains when securing coils any more. Each end chain must pull in the same direction.

 

If a suicide coil breaks loose it will more than likely roll off of the trailer to the left or right due to the trailer being balanced on the 5th wheel if a shotgun coil breaks loose it will likely slide straight forward into the cab.

 

That's the same reason they switched to those type of antennae on vehicles some years ago...

 

When I was in the Army we twisted straps

 

when i was in the marines we were twisted

 

K, I understand the twist eliminates most of the vibration, thereby extending the life of the strap. That seems clear now. I will further the question, then and ask:

Why do some guys put multiple twists in the strap? It would seem to me it would only need a half twist to break up the air flow and would place minimal additional stress on the edges. Yet, there are some I see with the straps twisted two and three full turns. Wouldn't this increase the stress of the outer fibers and defeat the intended purpose of extending strap life by tearing them?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peWsgEfU3vI

 

Yeah, it should only half one half twist in it. Anything more does weaken the strap and actually makes it buzz in the wind more.