Tarping Steel Coils

While this device has it's merits, it does not satisfy the requirements of 393.120, which clearly states chains must pass through the eye, for minimal securement. This device could be used as additional securement, but could not be legally used on it's own.

 

I was just pointing out the physics, not the legalities, but decided to look since you mentioned it. In the section pertaining to suicide coils, it says at least 2 chains through the eye, not all chains through the eye. Do you have a different reference that says all chains?


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/vehicle/cs-policy.htm

sect;393.120 What are the rules for securing metal coils?

1. Applicability. The rules in this section apply to the transportation of one or more metal coils which, individually or grouped together, weigh 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) or more. Shipments of metal coils that weigh less than 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) may be secured in accordance with the provisions of & sect; & sect;393.100 through 393.114.
2. Securement of coils transported with eyes vertical on a flatbed vehicle, in a sided vehicle or intermodal container with anchor points
   1. An individual coil. Each coil must be secured by tiedowns arranged in a manner to prevent the coils from tipping in the forward, rearward, and lateral directions. The restraint system must include the following:
      1. At least one tiedown attached diagonally from the left side of the vehicle or intermodal container (near the forwardmost part of the coil), across the eye of the coil, to the right side of the vehicle or intermodal container (near the rearmost part of the coil);
      2. At least one tiedown attached diagonally from the right side of the vehicle or intermodal container (near the forwardmost part of the coil), across the eye of the coil, to the left side of the vehicle or intermodal container (near the rearmost part of the coil);
      3. At least one tiedown attached transversely over the eye of the coil; and
      4. Either blocking and bracing, friction mats or tiedowns must be used to prevent longitudinal movement in the forward direction.
   2. Coils grouped in rows. When coils are grouped and loaded side by side in a transverse or longitudinal row, each row of coils must be secured by the following:
      1. At least one tiedown attached to the front of the row of coils, restraining against forward motion, and whenever practicable, making an angle no more than 45 degrees with the floor of the vehicle or intermodal container when viewed from the side of the vehicle or container;
      2. At least one tiedown attached to the rear of the row of coils, restraining against rearward motion, and whenever practicable, making an angle no more than 45 degrees with the floor of the vehicle or intermodal container when viewed from the side of the vehicle or container;
      3. At least one tiedown over the top of each coil or transverse row of coils, restraining against vertical motion. Tiedowns going over the top of a coil(s) must be as close as practicable to the eye of the coil and positioned to prevent the tiedown from slipping or becoming unintentionally unfastened while the vehicle is in transit; and
      4. Tiedowns must be arranged to prevent shifting or tipping in the forward, rearward and lateral directions.
3. Securement of coils transported with eyes crosswise on a flatbed vehicle, in a sided vehicle or intermodal container with anchor points
   1. (1) An individual coil. Each coil must be secured by the following:
      1. A means (e.g., timbers, chocks or wedges, a cradle, etc.) to prevent the coil from rolling. The means of preventing rolling must support the coil off the deck, and must not be capable of becoming unintentionally unfastened or loose while the vehicle is in transit. If timbers, chocks or wedges are used, they must be held in place by coil bunks or similar devices to prevent them from coming loose. The use of nailed blocking or cleats as the sole means to secure timbers, chocks or wedges, or a nailed wood cradle, is prohibited;
      2. At least one tiedown through its eye, restricting against forward motion, and whenever practicable, making an angle no more than 45 degrees with the floor of the vehicle or intermodal container when viewed from the side of the vehicle or container; and
      3. At least one tiedown through its eye, restricting against rearward motion, and whenever practicable, making an angle no more than 45 degrees with the floor of the vehicle or intermodal container when viewed from the side of the vehicle or container.
   2. Prohibition on crossing of tiedowns when coils are transported with eyes crosswise. Attaching tiedowns diagonally through the eye of a coil to form an X-pattern when viewed from above the vehicle is prohibited.

 

I did not state any number, only referenced the reg and that chains must pass through the eye. Also stated that this device could be used in addition to the regulation. But knowing truckdrivers, some would try to use this alone, then complain that they got nailed for violations.

 

I'll ask again. Highlight the part that says that ALL chains must pass through the eye. I have hauled coils for 20 years and always put all the chains through the eye of a suicide coil, but the way the above reg is written, 3 through the eye and 3 over the top would be legal. I'm not afraid to change my ways if there is a better way of doing something.

 

All he needed was X straps and the hydraulic cylinders would have been the only thing breaking!! True story!

 

Here, let me state this to you in a gentle way, that you might understand, I never stated that any certain number of chains must pass through the freaking eye, only that according to the regs chains must pass through the eye! Do you see any numbers posted in my responses?

 

Ok I just watched that video and got a good laugh.... Here's the thing, Going thru the coil there is no give unlike going over the coil. Keep in mind what you don't see is the fact that it took more pressure to break the chains over the coil due to the fact that the coil was actually squashing, which you can't see. Maybe this guy didn't think about that, but if he really wanted to prove it worked, he should've had something to check the ID of the coil after using his "Coil Saver". I'd be willing to bet the ID isn't the same before as it is after...

Another thing is the fact that 90% of mills will not let you put a chain over any coil, so this thing is pretty much worthless. But if anyone still wants one, let me know I could make it for just a cpl bucks....LOL. $640.00 for a cpl pieces of rubber and some angle.....LMFAO!!!!!!

 

Yea, I noticed that price, too!

 

Personally I just want to haul his fake coil around, only I want to make it WAY bigger and make 2 more and I'll roll my tarp off and have some fun.

 

See how many times you can get pulled over in one day....?lol