Is a binder considered a chain?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Kev9191, Jul 22, 2021.

  1. Kev9191

    Kev9191 Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Jul 22, 2021
    0
    So im new to having a CDL...and am being trained by people that arent generally qualified either. Bad mix. So I do whatever I can to find the right answers to questions I come up with. Im interested in knowing if a binder is considered a chain in the case that I only use the binder to secure a load. I recently loaded up a small bobcat and when I went to chain down the bucket, I was thinking of if it was legal to just attach a chain binder straight to the bucket and right onto the steel of my trailer. Ive looked everywhere and cant find an answer, but have seen a video from the 80s of someone doing this to secure excavator tracks straight to the trailer with no chains. Its been alot of years since than, and im in california where regulations are bad. Anyone know or have any knowledge on this subject? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,030
    142,274
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
  4. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

    7,503
    82,189
    Aug 26, 2014
    LLMF
    0
    That would depend on the point on your trailer where you're securing the binder. If it’s WLL is sufficient then you're fine. If you're hooking directly to a typical rub rail, that may not be the case. Some are not made to be used for securement, but some are. It's on you to know.

    In this job, you either know or you don't. Sounds dumb, but there's plenty of drivers that don't get that. You don't guess that something is ok because you seen someone else do it, or it's the way it was done years ago, or you heard it at the lunch counter.

    You need to know your own equipment.
     
  5. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

    4,907
    6,539
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    You can use a binder to secure load directly to trailer, without using a chain. The WLL of the lowest component is what matters. Trailer securement point, binder or chain.
    Good luck.
     
    ChevyCam, GYPSY65, okiedokie and 6 others Thank this.
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,168
    22,651
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    I've used binders only to secure a load with no chain. Dozer tracks, for one.
     
    okiedokie and beastr123 Thank this.
  7. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

    1,618
    6,483
    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
    0
    Also you could get some 2-4` chains with a hook on one end. Use that on the spools for instance and if the binder hooks to the machine properly, then just hook other end of binder to the small chain. Some people customize their own binders with various lengths of chain on end of binders for the purpose of some small equipment
     
  8. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

    3,963
    16,352
    Aug 12, 2007
    Kansas city,Mo
    0
    perfectly legal, it’s done all the time. ED5D6ABB-B82F-4E87-9915-192238D3A403.jpeg D1335FF7-B9B8-4573-AC38-20ECEAAE030C.jpeg

    legally anchor points are not required to be rated. Any rubrail can be used for securement.
     
  9. PoleCrusher

    PoleCrusher Road Train Member

    7,503
    82,189
    Aug 26, 2014
    LLMF
    0
    Thanks for proving my point, as stated, you either know or you don't know, and blindly taking advise from another driver does not count as knowing, regardless of their experience.

    Let's see what a manufacturer has to say, since they're the ones who actually do the designing and building...

    "One part of the trailer that’s more frequently damaged is the rub rail, or tarp bar as it’s sometimes called. It’s not considered an anchor point in most cases, yet some drivers insist on using it as such. Securing cargo to the rub rail is not a recommended practice, Sabol adds. “In fact, at East we do not even rate the rub rail, because it’s not a recognized tie-down point. Drivers are not supposed to connect hooks or straps directly to the rub rail.”

    Don’t Overlook Trailer Anchor Points
     
    Oxbow, BigBob410, cke and 1 other person Thank this.
  10. Nostalgic

    Nostalgic Road Train Member

    1,662
    18,254
    Mar 6, 2017
    PA
    0
    It didn't take me long with my new East before I scraped the "Do Not Use" stickers off my rub rails. Sometimes it's the only useful option.
     
  11. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

    3,963
    16,352
    Aug 12, 2007
    Kansas city,Mo
    0
    That’s good info to consider. I will continue hooking to the rubrail when necessary. It’s perfectly legal and never had an issue. Obviously you should be inspecting equipment for cracks and damage.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.