Heavy Haul Securement Advise

The question is why? They are not required by regulations. The straps over the ends, where the dunnage is, are all that required as long as you cover half of the weight.

 

Usually just put one in the middle, why? Because. On smaller boom where you had two sections beside each other we would choke the main cords together in two places never caused a problem either.

My point wasn't that you should or shouldn't just that you certainly can without hurting anything and because someone does doesn't mean they're an idiot.

 

Well, what happens sometimes, with a long load with dunnage at the very ends of the trailer, the jerking and popping that your securement does is enough to snap them.

Put dunnage in the middle and the dunnage will walk.

Boom sections are not heavy enough to flatten a trailer. A loaded 40 ft container may be. But usually you will find yourself overgross before that happens.

Easiest and safest thing to do is allow the trailer to flex and keep your securement on the ends.

 

You never want to tie something so solid that it takes the flex out of the trailer that's how trailers break. I realize that boom sections aren't heavy but making a trailer rigid is dangerous.

 

Just following and learning, guys. Thanks. 20 years in (not decks) and still learning from the best of y'all.

 

I want to clarify for my own piece of mind, I'm not advising securing in the middle or that those of you recommending against it are wrong. I'm just saying it can be done safely, I trust some guys more than others to do stuff like that.

 

Me too!

 

This is a bit different of a deal than a crane boom. Correct me if I am wrong @cnsper , but those are pre-stressed concrete bridge beams. Those that I have hauled have cable stretched in them that has pressure applied from the bottom side of the beam, pulling down, prior to pouring. After the concrete has set, the pressure is released and the beam gains it's camber and strength. You can apply all the down force in the middle of the beam that you want, but don't set the beam down where it rests on the middle of the beam rather than the ends or it can easily break.

 

I made the mistake years ago...pulled a light pole. 11 wide on 1 end and 7 wide on the other. 60 ft long on a stretch rgn. Dunnage at the front of the deck near the neck and on the back step. I tried to strap this thing every 10 ft. As soon as I got on the highway, the straps in the middle started flinging off. Added even more straps. Didn't work. More isn't better. Couldn't get the straps tight enough to keep them on.

Had no idea what I was doing, but I do learn.