Advice for Hauling Steel Coil

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/cargo/cs-manual-chap5.htm

 

What kind of coils? Eye in the sky? Shot gun style? Suicide? Several smaller coils? One big 50k lb coil? Need more info man, but one thing that applies to them all, use more chains than required, do not ever put yourself in a position where you have to brake hard. Take your turns easy, a big coil dramatically raises your center of gravity. Also, if pulling one or two coils, might want to invest in coil bags. Makes tarping a breeze.

 

I agree with spyder7723. The only thing to ad is you will also need some hardwood 4x4 with one corner shaved off. The 4x4 sit in your coil bunks then the coil will sit on the 4x4 keeping it from touching the trailer. I used to haul flatbed for tcs out of Woodstock, Ont. No one really liked hauling them as they are alittle harder on equip and did'nt pay as much as other loads but it got us home with a load. I always loaded suicide (hole across trailer) I did it this way as I found easier to chain, less chain length needed, and if it broke loose it would kill me so it forces you to overchain to ensure it won't move. I see your in indiana so you will be working out of southbend and gary in. Southbend is a fairly smooth running outfit wait times are minimal and the people are friendly. U.S steel in indiana is a #### circuis its first come first serve so people are trying to cut infront of you the employees are not really that nice. Myself I loved flatbed but I would'nt limit yourself to just coils theres more money to be made with other loads you can put on the deck.

 

Shotgun is always better i.m.o. if you have a choice. if you have to brake hard a shotgun coil will not roll over you & crush you. also a shot gun coil you have more leeway, a few inches forward or back makes no difference, but a coil eye to the side that is a few inches too far one way or another will have your trailer leaning bad to one side.

 

1/2 inch grade 8 chain, ratchet binders staggered at least for double rating, when in doubt add another chain. its a load you do not want to be wrong on.

 

I've been hauling coils since I started driving. The key is to take your time driving and securing. I have only hauled them suicide and that is the way to go. Always put an extra chain or two in case one snaps and have a proper trailer with the coil package. I have seen many trailers bottom out due to improper coil loading. Always set the blocks in front of the coil. When driving, take your time and don't act like you know it all. Another thing is always check to see if the coils shifted (especially in suicide). Trailers that have the wooden removable sides are good for coils but don't help in securing them or accidents. Coil related accidents are not very common around where I am. Since its one 45000 pound coil, try to position it in the center and use heavy duty chains (for the feeling of safety.) Tarping them isn't difficult just a pain and I rarely due it anymore. Also as mentioned above take your time driving and going around corners until you get adjusted. Make sure the trailer has a coil package, if it doesn't then that won't end well. And again proper loading is important, an improperly loaded coil is not good. It can break the trailer and possibly cause a wreck. Any more questions just ask. the last thing, will you be pulling for the steel mill/factory or a company?