The Truckers’ Report flatbed Hall of Shame.

They look new to me, the paint isn’t scuffed off the bale pickup. Either way, yes the stacked bale rack and other loose parts need to be secured so my suggestion would be to not be a lazy … and put soft protection under the straps to protect the paint.

 

You're right about the edge protection, it does look to be lacking on that.

 

Yeah I didn't notice until after I posted that the load was separate, definitely need some type of protection on those straps, someone's gonna be pissed when they get their "new" equipment and it is all scuffed up

 

Ah yes, I forgot to enlarge, I now see one chain behind the front wheel of the machine, but is the job finished anyway? There seems to be a loose strap trailing from somewhere, but that's a good job I am long retired, eyesight ain't what it was.

 

No, I enlarged it, and he has chains on each side, front and back, 'V' pulled. The straps, with the exception of not having edge protection for strap/vehicle protection was the only thing I noticed missing, as well. I suspect the strapping was to keep the articulating parts tight to the vehicle, but...yeah, edge protection would have put it in the Wall of Greats, versus being in the Hall of Shame.

 

I'm just curious on y'all's thoughts on the legality of this unmarked strapping. DOT's hot and heavy lately and it just looks to me like that's begging to get harassed.

 

I'd haul it without a second thought. All of the side kit and spare tire weigh maybe 300-400 lbs maximum.

Theres no law saying tiedowns have to be marked. They will just knock you down to the lowest possible rating they can based on the tables in 393.108 if they aren't marked.

A DOT cop wouldn't even bother to look that up unless they were really trying to #### you. They might check just to make sure they aren't loose at most.

 

I don’t like one strap over the tire, but I hauled many of them from the plant like that back in the day. I guess if it made it all the way from Ky to Colorado on a train and they are still tight I would haul it after inspecting it real good.

 

The strap is looped. One side over the top of the rim and the other side goes through the holes in the rim.

 

Unless it’s changed it is one strap on that piece and I realize it’s looped.