X Chaining Beams

I would chain if possible.

 

I would too. Just in case.

 

A couple of options for you to consider.

Build a bulk head from 4X4s. Put it right up against the beams. Preferance would be make bulk head first, then load beams against bulkhead. This is a tool to assist, not securement. The goal here is to stop movment before it starts. In some cases all its going to do is slow things down.

Choke, band, wrap. Everyone has a slightly different name for them. The bottom line is they are tools you can use to help make a load a little safer. When using straps, make sure and use edge protection.

Using a chain or strap to go around the load like a band. This helps hold the load in a single unit and tight. This would not be connected to the trailer, just like someone banded the cargo.
Place a few of then along the load, just like banding. 4 on a load like this would be a good idea

Again chain or strap going over the cargo, under and back over, forming a loop around the cargo, does a few things, squeezes the cargo, and pulls down. Again helping keep it in a single unit.

 

I dont do a lot of beams like that. But I do a lot of rolled steel and sheets that get loaded similar to that.

I use 3/8 chain as well. I chain the sides per regulation standards.Choke straps and belly straps when applicable.

I cant do a bulk head on the front because most of that I do are in the 55ft length range and I over hang 2 ft over the front. So what I do is make blocker chains from each side. The way I do it "Should' prevent anything from coming forward in the event of a hard stop using the brakes. Not 100% on how well they would stay if I hit anything. 90% sure between my cross chains and blockers it should stay,.. But it would take a lot of chains to stop 45k from breaking loose on a hard impact.

Hurst

 

It’d be nice to have a load securement thread with pictures and descriptions on a variety of loads. It’d help the new guys haul safely, and others who are constantly hauling different things.

 

I use bulkhead for all beams, sheets, or plates. Unless the product extends above the bulkhead, then ill use X chains

 

Explain what exactly x-chaining is? Excuse the ignorance.

 

Cross chain/strap, trip chain/strap or other variations are a good idea IF the cargo can be trapped. Something like beams, bars or other multi piece cargo would be hard to capture all of the components. Should one or two move, then the whole load becomes unstable and will fall apart. At that point, any securement you have on the load will no longer work. X chain works on plate/sheet stock because you can contain all of the cargo within the X chains.

 

X chaining is where you secure a load in the front by Putting 2 chains in an X shape to try to decrease the chance of a load wanting to ride in the cab with you during a hard brake.