Just want to introduce myself, I'm not new to flatbed but had several breaks hauling other trailers. Just started out with a new company and I'm now back pulling a 53 ft skateboard. I'm originally from Germany and hauled lots of loads on a flatbed in Europe, also oversize loads there and here in the U.S. and Canada.
To be honest, in my 35 years since I've started truck driving, I've never hauled a loaded container on a flatbed, only with a container chassis. So now my question, have to pickup a loaded container (don't know the size) on Monday, weight up to 48,000 lbs. Hauled empty containers before but never secured a loaded container, now my question is how do you guys secure it? I would secure with one chain on the bottom and two chains crosswise from the upper corners in the front and back and throw a few straps over it, but what's really required by law? I know, I tend to over secure my loads, but that's why I'm still alive
Would like to hear your opinion, searched the forums but only found a thread about empty containers.
I think this is a great forum and I don't hesitate to ask this question, even as if it sounds like I'm a rookie
Tom
Back to flatbed and here comes my first question
Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by The Kraut, Sep 27, 2015.
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Thank you all, so nobody would chain crosswise on front and rear plus the bottom?
I always use 1 or 2 more straps or chains as required, some drivers think I'm crazy, but I never had problems with a shifting load.
I have a new 53 ft spread Fontaine Infinity and will scale before I leave, I can haul 48,000 lbs. And I will watch for the high cube, thanks
Seems to be oilfield equipment so I hope it's not a 53 ft. -
OP
The reason for low and tight is attachment and not having a long chain. You can have shift left and right with your " X" pattern on front. Staying low will stabilize a container. As well make it quick to unload at your destination. I doubt a receiver will be happy if you have to get out a ladder to remove your chains from top corners.
Some trailers have the container popups installed in the deck. Maybe if you do this ALOT. Invest in them.
Welcome to the states and roller skating US style
..The Kraut Thanks this. -
Thank you, I will chain only on the bottom. I'm just a company driver and I doubt that my boss will invest in container popups right now.
I'm in the States now since June 2013 but was in Canada before, running the States since 2009, mostly reefer and about one year flatbed with oversize loads.
I'm watching this forum a long time and I've learned a lot from you guys
peterbilt_2005 Thanks this. -
Keeping in mind, an empty 53' high cube container weighs like 10,000 lbs. ( plus pallets, if you're lucky, as most stuff I hauled in containers was floor loaded) and they routinely stuff 46,000 in there. Matter of fact, I never went over a scale with a container that said there was 46,000 in the box. The load I quit on was an intermodal van trailer ( now extinct) with over 50,000 lbs ( maybe 60?) of bagged peat moss. ( 2 dents on each side of the trailer on the bottom rail, from the lift) My drive axle load gauge said 90 lbs, when 62 lbs. was 34,000. I refused to haul it, and the plate was in the mail.
peterbilt_2005, icsheeple, The Kraut and 1 other person Thank this. -
Will have an eye on the weight! Had the experience with overweight in Canada with a reefer. The company thought it's ok when I run to the States with a gross of 85,000. They tried it three times with me and after the dispatcher told me "You will be fine" the third time, I handed them the keys of the truck
They tried it with all the foreign workers, but no luck with me. Looking in the face of the dispatcher was priceless
201 Thanks this.
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