Coils Question

He didn't stop, coil wasn't damaged. New hooks and floor on my dime. I have a dashcam now.

 

What was the weight on the coil?

May not had enough in the eye. Also another good reason to block/trip the front of shotguns.

I only use long boards on coils, shotgun, suicide, makes no difference. I like the extra lenght, spreads weight and gives you some room.
Plus blocking on a shotgun goes over the cradle and holds it down good.

A personal choice. I prefer straps with a friction strip over shotguns

 

I would say there is a good chance a trip block and chain would have prevented the j hooks breaking. Once that coil started sliding all bets were off.

 

I am of the thought that you need to stop it before it starts.

 

I'm with you guys. A trip block is always good. Also I always try and have the first two chains tight against the face of the coil. Personally I prefer more through the centre than over the top. Usually I have the legal amount through the the eye and them just one over the top.

 

Sorry this took so long to challenge your points Richard..went back to work and other things in life kept me gone a long time, but......
you are mistaken in your statement and interpretation. FMCSA regs specifically state, and which is why you need to copy and paste along with cite and links so we can view and corrrect if erroneous as I'm doing here...is the proper language,cite, interpretation from FMCSA itself.

...http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/393.106

Notice your description of a horseshoe securement is by your definition described in (2) (direct) for only half the WLL, not (3) (indirect) for full WLL, which side the tie downs are on is completely relevant.

 

Lots of opinions here so here's mine. I usually load shotgun because it's easier to tarp and chain. Once you get past four chains through the eye you're not getting much benefit because the chains are too long to prevent forward movement. Same for horseshoe chains, too long. So 48,000 lb. coil: 4 chains through the eye as short as possible, a trip chain in front and 2 -4" straps over the top. The straps probably do as much good as 2 more chains through the eye. If you brake hard with a shotgun coil that thing is like a little rocket trying to take off. It's not gonna move sideways,it's coming forward. 48,000 suicide: 5 chains through the eye, 2 in front, 3 in back. This is where a long chain does you some good. I also put a strap over suicide coils mostly to protect the tarp but also in the unlikely event that the bands break you might make it to the consignee.
But as important as securement is the way you drive. Gravity is your friend, inertia is your enemy. Van drivers don't give a crap what's in the trailer but flatbed is a whole different world. Hard braking is gonna cause problems no matter how many chains you've got on that coil so don't put yourself in a position where you have to hit the brakes. That means always have plenty of stopping distance in front of you, preferably a mile or 2, and gear down for stale green lights.

 

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section are applicable to the transportation of all types of articles of cargo, except commodities in bulk that lack structure or fixed shape ( e.g. , liquids, gases, grain, liquid concrete, sand, gravel, aggregates) and are transported in a tank, hopper, box, or similar device that forms part of the structure of a commercial motor vehicle. The rules in this section apply to the cargo types covered by the commodity-specific rules of § 393.116 through § 393.136. The commodity-specific rules take precedence over the general requirements of this section when additional requirements are given for a commodity listed in those sections.

(b) General. Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures of adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns or a combination of these.

(c) Cargo placement and restraint. (1) Articles of cargo that are likely to roll must be restrained by chocks, wedges, a cradle or other equivalent means to prevent rolling. The means of preventing rolling must not be capable of becoming unintentionally unfastened or loose while the vehicle is in transit.

(2) Articles or cargo placed beside each other and secured by transverse tiedowns must either:

(i) Be placed in direct contact with each other, or

(ii) Be prevented from shifting towards each other while in transit.

(d) Aggregate working load limit for tiedowns. The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of:

(1) One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an anchor point on an article of cargo;

(2) One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that is attached to an anchor point on the vehicle, passes through, over, or around the article of cargo, and is then attached to an anchor point on the same side of the vehicle.

(3) The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over, or around the article of cargo, and then attaches to another anchor point on the other side of the vehicle.



Citation: [67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 56208, Sept. 30, 2003; 71 FR 35833, June 22, 2006]

Just sayin, doesn't sound too confusing too me
And
This is an old thread.

 

I disagree that more chains would not help with hard breaking. I have seen a trailer turned over with the coil still attached. Not saying much for his driving skills but his securement was good.
When I haul 48000 lb coils, and I do quite a few, between 45 and 48, I use 6- 3/8 chains if loaded shotgun. 4 horseshoe'd and 2 crossed. Then 3 straps over the top. If suicide I use 7 chains, 3 forward, 1 down and 3 to the rear.
I like to know that if I have to hit the brakes I can without worrying about being ran over by my load.
Most would consider this overkill, I know because I see many coils leaving with a lot less securement than this, but it makes me feel good and only takes a couple more minutes.