Hey all, I'll be hauling my first load of coated gas pipe next week and would like some advice on how to adequately secure it. I've actually taken a hiatus from trucking for a few years and have decided to get back on the road and this will be my first haul for a local company. Haven't actually pulled a flatbed since '94! And even then, it was just drop and hook. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....and pics would be awesome! Thanks in advance!
Belly wrap the front and back of each bundle. Gut strap and if you have room on the deck you can build a bulk head.
This is a belly wrap. You can also see the bulk head. This was a 2-stopper. My last stop only had one piece, but you can see what I am talking about. This load only had one bundle, but again you can see the belly wrap and the bulk head. This was a full load. You can see the gut straps and smoke tarp.
Thanks for the response and pics. This load will be about +/-25 ton of 6" steel pipe. Excuse my ignorance but I'm not familiar with some of these terms, but it looks like a "belly wrap" is when the strap is wrapped completely around the pipe and a "gut wrap" is just across the top of the pipe, correct? When hauling a full load like I will, would I belly wrap each row of pipe or gut wrap each row....or both?
Your welcome! That is why I posted the small loads. You can see what the straps look like. The belly wrap is correct. I like to use chains on steel if possible. Some pipe has to be straps. If it is in bundles I try to belly wrap each bundle or layer. Different pipe is secured differently. Pipe stakes are also good to use. The gut strap will be a couple straps tossed over and then more pipe put on top. After everything is on you will strap over the top of all of it. Some times you can't get a belly wrap. I try to at least do the first layer front and back of each bundle. Pipe can be dangerous. Even when you are unstrapping it. It can roll off and kill the driver or a fork truck might try to pick up a bundle on the other side and knock it off while you are still loosening straps. Just be careful and ask other drivers or the shipper about securement. Sometimes they can help.
Thanks man. Yeah, this will definitely have to be straps since it is coated pipe. So basically the best thing to do would be belly wrap each row, if possible, of pipe with 2 straps each and then gut wrap the top row every 8-10' the entire length of the pipe?
I know "securement" is not an endorsement by itself, but shouldn't there be some sort of formal training, before they send out any random driver with all that responsibility? I mean, it is 25 tons? That is more than dropping a bowling ball on your toes... Mikeeee
By that diagram I would have belly strapped the very front and back of that load; plus built a bulk head in front of it. Other than that it looked good.
