Flatbed Hauling fencing materials question

Thats when you follow the rules & regs and do load checks. Fmcsa says within the 1st 150mi or 3hrs iirc. But since I dont drive 50mph, if Im unsure of my load I'll check it after the 1st 75mi or so. Sometimes sooner if I stop for fuel. You get a feel for how loads are gonna act after awhile. Watch your straps and/or chains as you're rolling down the road and you'll be able to catch an issue before it becomes one.

 

On these type of loads, something that can help keep them under control is long boards. Basically 8 ft boards across the load in the places you will put straps. If you can get some short boards, 4 ft and put that in the middle of the span of the long boards, that would be better. Works to clamp down the load better.

 

Basically just whip up some v boards in your spare time.

Old strap cut down to short strips. Nails. 8 foot board. I carry 5-6 with me.

 

My first week out on my own with a CDL, matter of fact my 3rd load ever, I got the rolled fence material from somewhere in NC to West Palm Beach, FL.

I didn’t know enough to think about belly-strapping the lower part of the load and I threw all 12 straps over the top. Total load height was probably around 12’. To make matters worse, the front end was a different product than the rest and included a large cardboard box shrink wrapped on a pallet. That box wasn’t filled all the way and it continually collapsed more and more with pressure from the straps.

I could see that load trying to lean to the right so I continually stopped and tightened straps. The cardboard box really concerned me. No matter how much I tightened straps, it continually gave way. I didn’t know what was in that box but I was resigned to the thought that if it was a choice between damaging product or product coming off my deck, I wasn’t going to let it go anywhere.

I was very happy to finally make it to south Florida and get that load off my deck.

.......Then I went six miles off road near Punta Gorda to get 40 palm trees. Those were fun to secure as well.

 

Could be mistaken, have been a couple times in my life, first wife being the clearest example.

But unless it’s changed recently, your first load check is supposed to be at 50 miles or first hour, every 150 miles or 3 hours after that. Now those are the bare minimum as required by law, lose a load & it won’t matter if you checked it 5 miles ago, they’ll hang you for it.

In real life, the load will dictate the intervals. I found that usually after 10-20 miles, the load had settled enough to justify a check. Depending on the material, it may not require another adjustment but it’s always good to check.

 

You are not mistaken.

 

Yep, you're right. I had a complete brain fart on that.

 

What's wrong with looking like a "newbie" if you are one?? If you're loading something you haven't hauled before, ask questions about securing it. I don't think that makes you look like a "newbie". What makes you look like a "newbie" is when you pull out of the shippers driveway and the whole load rolls off the side of the trailer and shuts down the whole operation for everybody.
Since you posted a picture of this load, I'll tell you what I would do different. Since a belly strap doesn't count as securement , I would have three straps over the front stack and three straps over the rear stack. What you've done I would call minimal and my guess is not legal . One strap every 10 feet and extra strap at front and rear. That type of load is constantly compressing, hence loose straps. Good Luck