F350 and cargo trailer on a step...

I haul my race car on my car trailer at home using 2inch ratchet straps on all 4 wheels. Although my 2 inch straps are only rated 2600 lbs. So in your situation, you may want to add a safety chain or a couple of your 4 inch straps as a double safety measure.

Just lay the 2 inch straps over the top of each tire in a semi circle and latch each end approx 4 inches fore and aft of each wheel. Tighten down until you feel the tire will burst. Done,.. and should ride safe and secure like that.

Dont forget to check your load a few miles down the road and then again every few hours or after a rough patch of road. I am the overly cautious type,.. I could never live with myself if my load killed someone and it could have been prevented by just periodically checking my load.

Hurst

 

I would leave the trailer hooked to the PU, strap the wheels and go. If putting chocks on makes you feel safer then go for it. My point was that they are not required by law, or every car hauler you see going down the road is in violation, securement of a vehicle is the same regardless of what type of trailer it is on or in.

 

I've never chocked any vehicle on my trailer,.. unless you count the wheel straps as chocked devices. I do military loads as well. Trucks, Hummers, trailers assorted loads with all kinds of BS they expect you to secure. I make sure my method of securement will remain secure with out the aid of wheel chocks. If you have them, it wouldnt hurt to use them. But if done right,.. I've never had anyone come behind me and ask where my wheel chocks are.

Hurst

 

Car haulers and flat beds are two different kinds of transportation. No comparison. Securement on a car hauler trailer is designed for automobiles . Ie wheeled vehicles. Not any other kind of freight., Some car haulers are now going to straps instead of chains now. A substantial loss of weight.. . Some states have more stringent rules for hauling certain kinds of freight.. Such as AL and NY requiring a special endorsement on the CDL to haul coils. Being prepared is not a bad thing. It is never wrong to have more securement than the minimum required by Fed Regs. Considering most states are in a financial bind and look for anything to raise money and think truckers have bottomless pockets of money .If using straps be sure if they have tags with the WLL on them and that the tags are legible . Some straps now have it woven in the webbing. If not legible it reduces the WLL by 50%.If cut or frayed it is the same as no securemnt. Wheel chocks show you are safe , know how to secure a load for any conditions and less likely to be stopped and inspected.

 

While that may be a good plan please don't post false information. It just confuses people and spreads more bad internet information.

 

Car haulers are forced to use straps because thats what the shipper requires. Ask any car hauler how he feels about securing 9+ vehicles at all 4 wheels. They despise it. It takes 2 - 3 times the time and effort as did using chains and binders. Many guys cheat and just strap 2 or 3 wheels. Dealers/Shippers were tired of vehicles coming in with damage due to over tightening of chains and binders. That and losing vehicles from T hooks and J hooks tearing out of their slots. So unless guys are hauling wrecks or private hauls,.. all new vehicles must be strapped at all 4 wheels. No one leaves the rail yards with out strapping wheels anymore.

A vehicle on a flat bed can be secured exactly as it would be on an auto hauler trailer. No difference. I secure cars and small trucks exactly as I would on a car hauler and its perfectly safe and legal.

Hurst

 

What kind of wheel chocks do you use, and how do you secure them to the trailer/vehicle? Wouldn't want to get hit for unsecured dunnage.

 

You could use wood chocks, and nail them to the floor. If you have an all aluminum floor, you could always use a 2X4 and chain it in the same manner that you would a bulk head, but that would be a pain.