Legal Question

I agree with the sticky idea. Just post the CURRENT FMCSA rule and close the thread.

The rule USED to read, "must be inside the rub rail if possible". And now they have rescinded that rule.

 

If possible is the key word, not all trailer are designed to have the strap hook under the side, and also has to to be rated for securement.

 

I got pulled over the other day by our commercial carrier enforcement officer of my town. He pulled me over because I had one strap on the outside of rub rail and not inside of it. Because I live on the next block from him, he cut me a break after I took the strap off and put it on the inside of the rail. He gave me the Michigan load securement manual which is actually the FMCSA manual and it is clear what I had to do.

From the FMCSA manual - All tiedowns and other components of a cargo securement system must be located within the rubrails (when present). This requirement does not apply when the width of the load extends to or beyond the rubrails.

Now the other thing that I tried to tell the other driver who says he has years of experience with flatbed work is we don't use the rub rail for the anchor point of the chains or binders, seeing that my truck has come back with the rub rails bent up from him just doing that. I don't think they are intended to stop a 18,000 lb piece of steel from moving when wrenched down with such force as to bind the binder up where you have to use a long pipe to break it loose.
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This thread will never die..............

 

what good is hooking a chain gonna do if its hooked to the rubrail???

 

One of our trailers has a sticker on it instructing you to wrap chains around the stake pocket. It also states the WLL of that method of securement.

 

really???? tell me more