Post your flatbed load pictures here

College educated engineers come up with this stuff, using tables, computers and scientific calculators. I'm just a dumb truckdriver with a dollar Walmart calculator and a high school education.
I would agree with your last sentence, as all the pull would be to one side, or unequal pull if using multiple tie down assemblies on the same piece.
In this particular reg, it states the tie down used between anchor points is half rated, in other regs a tie down assembly is defined as all parts used to make up the assembly, including the anchor points.
That means to always use the WLL of the lowest rated piece of the assembly, whether it be the anchor point, the chain, or the binder.
Examples:
(1) Anchor point 5,500lb (WLL), 3/8" gr70 chain 6,600lb (WLL), 3/8" gr43 binder 5,400lb (WLL), the binder is the limiting WLL at 5,400lb (WLL) and makes the whole assembly 5,400lb (WLL) in indirect applications and 2,700lb (WLL) in direct or same side applications.
(2) Anchor point 5,500lb (WLL), 3/8" gr70 chain 6,600lb (WLL), 3/8" gr80 binder 7,100lb (WLL), the anchor point is the limiting WLL at 5,500 lb (WLL) in an indirect application and 2,750lb (WLL) in a direct or same side application.

This is how I figure it to be on the safe side, which probably doesn't answer your question. But, it is the best I can come up with.

In the photo of the coil, that started this discussion, the driver used the 4 chains through the eye to get the highest WLL allowed.

 

It really makes no sense but I would also like a good explanation of this rule.

I've been DOT'd several times with 2 x chains and 2 c chained and a strap over top and have always been good to go with up to 42k. I had a 47something on and got DOT'd but had 5 chains 4 thru the center 2 x'd and 2 c with one over top and DOT guy said it was legal as can be. These were loaded shotgun.

 

Assuming the chains were 3/8" gr70 and binders to match and the anchor points also matched, with a 4" strap, on the first one. The two X chains gave you 13,200lb, the 2 C chained added another 6,600 and the strap added another 5,400. A total of 25,200lb WLL on a 42,000lb coil only requiring 21,000lb of securement.
On the second one, again assuming all parts were 6,600lb WLL, the 2 Xs gave 13,200lb, the 2 Cs gave 6,600 and the top chain, from one side to the other gave another 6,600lb, for a total of 26,400lb WLL. Again, above the 47,000lb coil's requirement of 23,500lb WLL minimum requirement of securement.

As I said, I am assuming as you did not list what chains, binders and straps you used, nor the WLL of the anchor points. All figures would need to be adjusted to reflect the actual WLL of those used.

 

Here's a pic of my JIT load I grabbed today. One 8' long 4" pipe and a box. The box needed tarped so I took the easy route lol

 

My man i like your thinking.

 

Haha, mini drom!

 

On all coils... 2 3/8" and rest 5/16 and yes a 4" strap. Pass every time.

Oh I got one for ya.... My dad got DOT's a few weeks back and the officer told him that the 4" strap didn't count toward securement....lol

 

The 2 5/16", if they are gr70 are 4700lb WLL each. If they were the X chains, that would be 9400lb WLL. If they were the C chains, the two of them combined would have only been 4700lb WLL. The 4" strap, if marked would be 5400lb WLL, if it lost its markings the default would be 4000lb WLL.

Wonder if that inspector could show me that reg? Had a driver tell me that I needed two straps within the first 5 feet of my load and one of those two would not count! Still waiting for him to show me that reg.

 

Space cadets are everywhere. Some people have no clue.