Straps on rub rail or underneath (trailer permitting)?

On the RR, but not wrapped around it.

 

I do it like the bottom pic, because I can't do the top pic. One thing I don't do, is that stupid "DOT wrap".

 

What is a “DOT wrap” ?


Both methods in the photos are acceptable.

 

Might be what I do. I wrap it so the hook is held by the tension of the strap. One full rotation. I just feel better about it if it were to loosen in any way. Much harder to fall out. Though the second picture looks fine. The only issue I would have with the first picture is the hook can just fall out. Whether it be during securement, or if anything comes loose. Better to have a loose strap then a missing one.

 

Yep, that's it. You go outside the rail with the strap, back underneath, and hook to the rail. The idea is the strap tension holds the hook.

In reality, the hook isn't going anywhere anyway, and now you've got fabric outside the rub rail. In OP's bottom pic, you got stuff outside the rub rail too, but at least it's steel. If you make contact with something, there's a good chance those hooks will survive, and you'll maintain load securement. But with the straps outside the rail, they get cut, and now nothing is holding the load.

Plus, I don't like the DOT, and I figure somebody who liked wrapping that way got into a position of power, and it became is little pet idea. The name alone makes me cringe.

 

Haha

 

I had a run in with the dot about 20 years or so ago in Shelbyville, Kentucky on the west bound scale that no longer exist.

The pure right down ignorance that dot lady showed, made me wonder if they truly know 1/2 of what they are paid to enforce......

 

Mine has special slots underneath to hook strap.