Life at Melton

I haul 43k singles alot, I use 4 chains on them if shotgun and 3 if suicide.

double the chains up, they should be long enough to use 2 chains and 4 binders as horseshoe chains and then use two chains over the top of the coil if shotgun.

then I double them up when suicide and use 3 chains w/ 6 binders.

I

 

you are not even close to having enough chains on them coils !! The pockets on the trailer are rated for 4000lb each 4 chains is 8 pockets x 4000 = 32000 i know some of you guys think it is required to put half the load weigh worth of tie down WRONG you are required to have one and half the weight of tie down ..these coils are breaking loose because of not enough of tie downs ..there is no such thing as to many chains ..not enough these coils break loose... and this has happened a LOT the last 10 years

 

Maybe your trailer is 4,000# but mine is listed at 5,400#. Says so on the plate from the manufacturer and also on the chain pops themselves.

I agree that there is never too much securement, but you are mistaken on the securement regs. As long as the chain goes over and connects to BOTH sides of the trailer, you get full WLL and 1/2 of the gross weight is all that's required for the material.

section 393.106d for ratings
Section 393.120 for metal coils

 

Pockets on my trailer are rated for 5,000. I just checked the tag.

 

I use J-hooks, and I strongly disagree with you...

6 chains on a 43k coil not enough?!

Just because I double up my chains to save from using 6 separate ones does not mean i don't have enough securement...

Next time I haul one I'll take a picture so you understand...
I think most guys who haul steel on a regular basis double up their chains so that they need not drag out so many...

even if my J-hooks were rated at 4,000lbs (which they are not) and I secured a 43k coil, I used 3 chains (used twice) and six binders, that is a total of 6 chains, 6x4000 = 24,000lbs that means I meet the DOT's requirements of 1/2 the weight of the coil @ 21.5k

 

OK i am wrong it is half the weigh . Some how years ago i was told one and a half . To me holding something with 10000 that is 20000 dont sound right . Bin pulling flats for over 20 years seen to many coils in the road... i will keep putting to many chains on . Hear it all the time "how many chains or straps you going to put on that load " I always say it never fails off because of to many chains or the D.O.T. will never say you got to many chains on that load . Once in CT D.O.T. looked at the markings on my chains and said i had to put 2 more on . I nearly took a crap and put 2 more on it ..not coils it was sheet pile steel 45 feet long i had enough for the length he said not enough for weight ..he was cool no ticket

 

You don't need to take a pic i know how to do the" double up" on chains i have bin doing it for over 20 years

 

1/2 the load in securement has always been the way since I moved here in '99.
I also double the chains, meaning 4 chain, 8 binders, whenever possible. I also have some shorty's about 12-18" long so I can go from the machine to the trailer without an extra 14' of chain hanging there. Not too often that I can go from trailer to trailer, so my securement is always cut in half as a rule.
Had a "discussion" with a Mo state patrol about it, idiot couldnt get it through his head. Eventually made a bet with him, that if I undid 1 binder and the other wouldn't come loose, he lets me carry on with absolutely no paperwork showing the stop. He left shortly thereafter.
I dont pull anything with rub rails, but my RGN is rated at over 12k lbs for the cutouts etc, so not worried about it here.
I also go overboard with ratings though. If it needs 25k of chains, it normally gets 30k of chains on the load, or whatever the next step up is with 7400lb chains and binders.
Martin

 

Then why on earth did you say that I need more securement on my loads?

How many chains would you put on that load?

I atleast throw chains over the tops of my shotgun coils, 85% of the drivers I work with throw straps...I dont believe in straps on steel...

Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not trying to argue with you.