F350 and cargo trailer on a step...

Just a heads up when you are using wheel straps that is direct securement opposed to the typical indirect securement from straps ran over the load to the other side of the trailer.

This means your wheel straps are only worth 1/2 as much. You do not get the credit for 5400 lbs of securement per wheel strap. You get 2700 lbs per wheel strap. Make sure to account for this when your finding the aggregate WLL for your securement.

Also if your using a conventional flatbed with an aluminum deck chances are your tiedown point is only rated to 5000 lb meaning you only get 2500 lbs per wheel strap.

 

Good point about direct and indirect . That is one thing that can trip up a driver easily. Thanks for posting it. A great reminder.

 

Glad to hear things are looking up for you and falling into place. Don't worry about Murphy, He is living close to me so no worries.

 

Why are the wheel strap WLL ratings cut in 1/2? I'm not sure I understand the reasoning. But I am always open to learning something new.

As for the securements on my trailer. I have several options. I have the heavy RASR side rails. Had a fork lift operator hit trailer so hard it moved the trailer 2 feet and barely knicked the rail. No dents. I have have 7/16 chain hooks coming out of the floor that are rated 5400 or 5600lbs. So I have some options.

As for the wheel straps,. I opt to use them for anything up to a 1 ton truck. I used them on the F550's, but I also added safety chains in case I had a hard stop and the straps failed. I feel the wheel straps are more then adequate for cars and up to 1 ton trucks weighing under 9000 lbs. I've used these same style straps when I hauled cars. I found them easier to use then the E-Trac set ups.

Hurst

 

Hurst, with conventional straps and chains if they do not go from one side of the trailer over/thru the cargo to the other side of the trailer the WLL is cut in half. I am not sure if an ACTUAL wheel strap is exempt from that law, as they are incapable of going from one side to the other

 

Looks good. You might want to add a couple flags at the back of the trailer just in case an over zealous DOT officer looks twice. I pull a 53ft step. I have 43ft on my lower deck and 10ft on my upper. I have had vehicles with as much as 2ft of over hang on the back as well as other loads with similar overhang. Even though I know its not legal,. I put flags out and was never hassled. I doubt you would,.. but it is a holiday and from what I've been hearing, DOT is out in force.

The van on the very end had almost 36 inches of over hang. Picked them up in Alabama and took them to Seattle Wa. No one hassled me even though they could have very easily. I think as long as you try to make an effort, DOT will generally leave you alone.



And thanks Oscar. I'll have to look into that. I dont know the exact ruling for that or if it really matters if on a flatbed or dedicated autohauler. To me it shouldnt make a difference. But I've been wrong before.

Hurst