Criticism/comments please - load securement

Dot regs say one strap five feet and 1100 lbs. 5 to 10 feet, 2 straps. Over 10 feet, 2 plus one every 10 feet. For your load, I would have done 2 on front and back, (another dot reg), and maybe doubled up the longer pieces. The piecesin the middle can have one tiedown because forward and rearward movement is restricted by other freight. Most times, I just double up anything I haul. I have 30 straps on my truck. Why not use them? (No I have never used 30...but I have used 22) You can never over secure a load, so just get it to where youre comfortable driving.

 

Rope Is good, but make sure it meets the wll regs set up by dot, or you could get a nice little ticket

 

When I pulled flats, I just used common sense. Never knew all the rules and never had anyone give me a problem. I used the cheap China made straps. (non dot)
However, I only hauled non tarp high dollar #### that didn't look like an accident waiting to happen. If you haul enough accident waiting to happen ####, sooner or later you'll have one which will outweigh the buck o five you've hauled it for.

 

Looks good to me overall. I would have put 2 straps on the front pieces to keep them from coming forward when getting on the brakes, and put a twist in the rest to keep them from flapping.

 

quote the section the dot guy showed about a twist in straps as some of the straps manufacturers say a twist is fine.

 

Yeah, I tried to explaining this to LS with their new Stepdeck trailers... all the winches are on the drivers side. Makes tightening them down on the roadside a major PITA!!!!

 

You can use a chain to "extend" your straps if needed. You carry 2" ratchet straps don't you??? Buying 2-3 of them in 30' or 40' lengths would be a good idea.

 

With a large piece, that will pull the entire load to the drivers side. Our trailers should have winches on the passenger side too.

 

Our 53's have either 9 or 10 on each side, depending on manufacturer.

 

3/8 poly is legal in Cali.

Learn to tie a proper trucker's hitch, and if you double one it will crush plywood fruit bins.

For foam I would get out the vee-boards. I carry 4' & 8' metal & 2' plastic, I plan to keep adding to the collection until I can cover the trailer, full length, twice. Just for that load of tar babies or rolled roofing that I know is somewhere in my future.