Straps too tight?

Looks like Dolly Parton lying on her back in the background there!

 

I've been trucking since 1979 and there's no such thing as too tight unless it damages the freight (anything soft or bendable), but always use edge protectors or carpet pieces to protect the straps from anything sharp or abrasive. The only exception is if Big Bubba tightens it down with all his weight and Little Larry has to undo the winch and can't. Other than that, you're good to want to tighten it down as tight as you can get it. If you're like me, I overdo everything - I like to make sure that if i have to slam on my brakes or (God forbid) swerve for any reason, there is not going to be something flying off my trailer or through the headache rack.

I also always use extra chains, straps and X-chain or strap anything that might slide forward in the event of hard braking. Never hurts to add X straps to the front of a coil, either. You can do it underneath or over the tarp.

 

Well driver in my own opinion I never use straps on beams. I use chains cause I feel more comfortable to do that. Straps are easy to cut. And don't take as much time.

 

I guess you missed the part about customers not allowing chains. Also a remedy to cut straps is to use edge protectors. They are fairly cheap to buy and in my time flatbed I've never cut a strap.

 

When I hauled heavy equipment, an old-timer told me to make sure all the links of the chains lined up, and it will hardly ever loosen up, and he was right. On dozers, I'd do the "cross chain", front and back, and a couple more in the middle ,for good measure. I saw a drop deck with a dozer on it's side, and the dozer was still on the wagon, chained on,,,that's a good chain job!

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4060700]When I hauled heavy equipment, an old-timer told me to make sure all the links of the chains lined up,[/QUOTE]

A pet peeve of mine, is seeing all the chain links twisted because the guy/gal couldn't be bothered holding the thing in the right spot when tightening down.

Martin

 

I also do the "twang" test. I also take each side of the strap with my thumb and index finger. If I can't flex the strap it is tight if I can bend each side in I try to get more clicks out if the ratchet.

 

What do you mean by twisted?

The load that I am delivering Monday, some of the chains do spiral a time or two, but they are not bound up at all.

 

I use both.

 

Last time I did that I got slapped.