The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

Not sure if they have it. But try Aw Direct. Mostly marketed to towing and recovery. But they have almost everything.

 

They are so many wrongs in that pic. Lol, glad nobody was killed.

 

Because every processing mill knows the proper procedure for securing slitted coils. Every processing mill I've been to has the proper securement clearly posted, and many mills require some form of testing and safety certification before your first load. I've got safety cards from processing mills all over the Ohio River Valley, the Deep South, and the Midwest.

And because there really is a limited number of carriers who haul slitted coils. This isn't a common load, even for steel haulers. And the obvious risks inherent to this type of load keeps bigger (more risk adverse) carriers away from slitted coils. Carriers who dealt with these loads also had pretty strict training, due to these loads being their bread and butter freight.

And yet, I saw an INCREDIBLE amount of pure, simple LAZINESS amongst the drivers. Especially the Conestoga and Sidekit drivers (and I've been both).

I can't count the number of 45,000lb.+ coils I've seen heading out of Gary, IN heading to St. Louis or Butler, IN or even Cleveland with maybe two 3/8this chains on them. If you were REAL lucky, the chains might even be tight.

The Heidtman Steel plant in Granite City, IL generally has a slitted coil load fall over once a DAY! Usually on one of the "in house" trucks! I personally know a driver who runs slitted coils like the ones pictured here loaded eye to the sky, stacked 3-3.5 feet high with ZERO securement! In a Connie, so no one sees unless he get pulled over and inspected...and he hasn't been nailed three years (despite being reported by myself and other drivers on NUMEROUS occassions)

There are reasons why I stay as far away from Conestoga and Sidekit wagons as I can. After what I see on a regular basis, I wouldn't trust those drivers any further than I could throw their trucks.

I get jumped on alot about how long it takes me to tie down my loads. But MY loads are TIED the heck DOWN! Fully secured, no matter how great or small the distance. Been securing by the book for seven years now, the habits are so deeply ingrained at this point I don't think I'm capable of taking shortcuts anymore. I get called a rookie, people yell and holler all the time. I don't care. I clear the bay as soon as I can, but I ain't leaving the shipper's property until MY load is safe and secure.

 

#### son !!!! That is one hell of a #### up !!

 

Mirrored my thoughts, Mackey. Newbies being thrown around lately..we will probably see more 'epic' adventures. No F/B here... wouldn't know.. but. Someone should have.

 

I feel your making a large assumption on some people of the industry on this one based on method of tarping. There are plenty of people not properly securing loads. I see it everyday to. But lazy and untrained isn't dictated by weather protection.

 

I guess it's just narrow minded thinking and prejudice against us because we have hidekits. I'll just keep doing what I've always done, how I've always done it. I've never lost a load or had damage reported or had any issues with the dot, so I must be doing things different than alllll those conestoga and sidekit operators I work with.

 

You’re getting yelled at because you’re fully securing your load in the bay. Put enough securement on to get out of the way then do what ever you want. You’re holding up everyone behind you.

 

Nope. Been there, done that. Dragged a connie for years hauling steel. Just parked a sidekit due to rates being un the toilet. I'm not making assumptions, I'm rolling with what I have actually seen with my very own two eyeballs.

MOST sidekits and connie draggers are securing their freight properly. But the few who AREN'T are enough to keep me away from the rest of y'all. Cause some of those goofballs aren't securing their loads at all!