Exp. Flatbedders!

I have had a/c units that were stacked. A couple of straps should be all that you need, but if you feel more comfortable adding more straps, the go ahead. I am a firm believer that you can never have too much chain or straps. I usually add at least 1 more strap or chain than is called for to be legal. It is much better to have more rather than less when it comes to securing a load.

 

hi all, wanted to tag along in you thread if you dont mind. i myself a student, starting nov 14 for orientation doing flatbed in western reigon. all info is useful to me....thanks

 

I'm add another strap before I take off, just for my own comfort. Thanks for he replies

 

Never had them stacked before, let me know how it goes if ya dont mind, please. Im sure I will run into this situation someday.

 

Unless you have one of those aluminum decks with the serrated metal all the length, it's hell on your knees though if you forget it's serrated and kneel on it. Had a loader trying to push bales of rock wool over it and it made his fork tires spin once the wool caught those serrations.

 

Well... The unit has made it down back roads in Alabama to where I live for my 10 hour break. I drop it on Monday in New York. Here is a pic of what Im talking about. Its hard to see the straps on the back units, but they are there, Ive since added one more in the middle which is only snugged down. All 4 units on the bottom are chained in place along with the straps. I make sure my loads dont move at all....

 

Yep, there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of trailers. I have knelt on the deck of one of those aluminum decks. It can be rough on the knees. One problem that I have experienced with an aluminum deck is bending. I have seen the deck bend when something heavy with wheels was driven on the deck. I hauled a couple of big forklifts on one and they left indentions on the deck of the trailer where the wheels sat.

 

Well the A/C units made it all the way back up the backroads of Alabama to NY. Added a third strap to that back unit, but didnt tighten it down really tight. Got to the receiver, they unloaded it... Everything was great. Dropped all 5 without incident. Was very happy to get rid of the back two.

 

I am glad that you got your a/c units unloaded in one piece. Never let anyone sway you to use less securement than you are comfortable. I will usually throw an extra chain or strap more than is needed to legally secure the load. It is just the way I tend to do things. You can never really have too much chain or too many straps on a load. If you got the load to it's destination without incident, then you did your job properly. There are some who use as little as possible and find themselves in trouble. One thing that can be helpful is to ask the shipper. Some know how they want their product secured and it can make things much more simple.

 

O I dont let anyone tell me I cant put more on. Its my load and Im responsible for it. I put as much securement on it as it needs to not have any chance of coming off that trailer.