Maybe a dumb question

https://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/North-American-Cargo-Securement-Standard-Model-Regulation.pdf

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules

All credit to @loudtom, they helped me when I asked the same question.

 

If u ever have a question about securement and cant figure it out urself. Just post pictures of what ur hauling and theres plenty of flatbedders on this forum that can help you out

 

Along with Mr Tibbitt’s offer of assistance, if you know what you’re picking up beforehand, let us know. There’s not enough room to carry every type of securement, but you want to make sure that you don’t show up to a shipper without the proper securement. That’s embarrassing and bad business.

Luck in battle.

 

Exactly right. I'm an ex flatbedder, I've hauled just about various types of flatbed loads....it don't get out of your system once you learn it. Coils were always my favorite for some reason. If I were to switch back to flatbed now, securement wise, I wouldn't miss a beat. I'd just need to get back in flatbed shape. Lol.

 

You ain't lying about having improper securement. I remember picking up skidded coils down in Mississippi, right outside of Jackson once. This inexperienced flatbedder pulled into the bay with a covered wagon. Worked for a smaller outfit that wasn't very well known. He didn't have any edge protectors of any kind. The shipper made it known that he needed them. I looked over at this poor fella, he had put a coil rack upside down on the coil and was running a chain over the top of it! That driver was going to destroy those coils before he even left the shipper. I took pity on him and gave him a #### ton of felt pads that I took from our yard in Memphis, and collected from the various Alcoa plants. I had plenty so I could spare them. I also told him to use straps over the pads on those coils. Had to show him how to secure the load to.

@AppalachianDruid the point in me sharing this is to tell you don't be afraid to ask another driver at the shipper(should there be one available), a lot of drivers will notice your struggle. Some will offer help, or check on you. Others will see if you’ll humble yourself and ask. I've had to do it, and in my opinion hands on is a better way to learn securing flatbed loads. So now you have multiple resources.

 

In addition to what the others have mentioned, this book will be invaluable, and has pictures to help explain the concepts you need to learn, and it basically is a condensed and graphical version of the Securement Regulations, for not just flatbed, but all vehicles.

You can get this on the job spiral bound book at truck stops that carry it, or get it online at J.J. Keller's & Associates.