Do chains make it a wide load?

I have never had any problems like that, but then I do not run up the Eastern seaboard.

 

No the tie down rigging doesn't make it a wide load. I won't position my binders in a way that the handle sucks out from the deck but evev then it's not a wide load. But it is unsafe

 

I read somewhere in the FMCSA bible that "cargo securement" does not count to measure the width of the load. Chains, binders,vee boards,tarps,etc.

 

and how does it make unsafe. my binders stick out beyond the trailer about 2 - 3 inches sometimes.

if someone is going to hit my binders they're defenitly going to hit my trailers.

what makes it a wide load is anything that sticks out beyond the trailer. minus securement. one of our drivers said it had to be beyond 4 inches. but i don't put faith in anything he says.

 

Probably depend on what kind of day the DOT officer was having.:smt062

 

If only your securement is outside the leading edge of your trailer your fine. I'm doing it right now on my leagal width load from WI to RI. Have never had an issue in 20 years. Besides, if a DOT officer is going to pick on that issue... You have bigger problems....

 

Moved equipment for many years all over the U.S never had any problems for the chains being outside the edge of the deck

 

It doesn't matter if the load "sticks out beyond the trailer." What matters is if the load exceeds 102" wide. If you have a 96" trailer, you could have a load that stuck over the trailer by 4 inches and was still legal width. If you have a 102" wide trailer, your load can not stick over the trailer at all or it is a wide load.