First steel coils

That's how I do it to when possible.

 

If you pull the same trailer all the time you could get a tape measure and can of spray paint. Mark the center with the paint. Just a dot will do. That way you don't need to guess when you load.

 

That's the way I do it now. I was very new to flatbed at that time

 

I do too. Especially in the winter. I want that weight on my drives. Being tail heavy gives me that 'tail wagging the dog' feeling.

Swift uses a 53 ft step with a 10 ft tail swing for California. The problem with a trailer like that comes in because the center is even closer to the step. On a load like a heavy 40 ft container, even with the container shoved all the way up to the step, you're going to be heavy on the spread.

 

A good rule of thumb is to have one coil rack per 10k# or part thereof. Since both coils were over 20k#, three racks on the deck for each coil would've been ideal. I mention that because you don't want to still be using just 2 coil racks on a monster 50k# coil. That might not end well. Also, wood that is beveled a bit on the corner that faces the coil would be good as well as some rubber belting over the wood. Those were the standards when I was hauling coils.

Have fun with all that. Better you than me!

 

This was the first coil I ever did on my step. 43k lbs.


Trailer has a big sticker just behind the center marker/turn light says... "Place Single Coil Here". Pretty stupid proof if you ask me.

It doesnt center the weight of the load.. rather that is where the bracing and reinforcment (strongest) part of the trailer is.

Looking back.. I know I should have added 1 more chain for that much weight.

Hurst

 

Same in your situation, @Hurst. Put 5 coil racks on the deck for a 43k# coil.

 

Yep Ida had 5 racks and 6 chains. If those boards break then all your securement don't do you much good.

 

I added a pic to see how I had loaded it. That was almost 2 yrs ago. I had much to learn. Used 3 racks. Better than just 2 I suppose. It traveled well... but then I took my sweet time and was very cautious in turns and while stopping and starting.
Hurst

 

Same position I'm in now hurst. I had no idea how many racks to use on my first coil. No wll marked on them and I've never seen anything official either just what I've read here.