The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

I drew them together offset until the closed on the dunnage scraps. Then overlapped half and went to town. Any tighter would crush the corrogated plastics.

 

I didn't get pictures, so I will paint it with words...

...about 11:00 am this morning on eastbound I-210 near Glondora, CA a flatbed driver was having a BAD day. He was pulled over in the short patch of dirt at the Sunflower Avenue exit, close to the fog line. A heavy tow truck was perpendicular to the bed of his trailer, partially blocking the exit ramp. The driver was standing on his load of steel plates, scratching his head and discussing the situation with the tow truck driver.

No chains. All straps. No edge protectors. The load had shifted forward and three plates were now bent up good, lodged against the back of his cab.

Oh, no headache rack on the Cascadia. No evidence of blocking. It looked like both air lines and the pigtail were severed.

Cutting corners works, until it doesn't.

 

It is surprising how often I see plate steel with straps and no edge protection, chain of any kind or blocking.

 

and put the plates on dunnage. when they just sit flat on the trailer defeats half of it too. put it on dunnage and now all that weight (with straps/chains) is pushing down on a very small area. spread out just sitting on the deck? the weight is now all spread out and it slides.

not a huge fan of plates.

 

easy edge protection just use an old cardboard box and rip it up in pieces and easiest edge protection u got.. thats all i use anymore as long as the freight aint to sharp , or i need the edge protection to do something more than protect my strap. shingles, bricks, etc.

 

oh yeah i got plenty of those too. come in handy also to help keep ur tarps protected if u dont have moving blankets like me

 

A roll of felt is nice to have handy. But am I the only one that still carries these?

 

I have 24 of those in my side box, per company requirements. They are extra handy when securing metal with chain.