Question for Flatbedders

The biggest problem I see with this picture (yes I've seen it before) is the fact he doesn't have a headache rack. Of course there is no law saying you have to have one... But if he did.... He could have possibly saved his head.

I can't comment on his method of securement since I can't see the whole trailer... But I'm guessing it was only held by just a few straps. That is just my speculation... Since the ones I've seen running without the headache racks are the same ones that are cutting corners to get moving down the road quicker.


edited to add.....

I am going to comment on the sucurement. By looking at the interstate signs in the background I'm going to say this truck came out of the Houston ports.... I'm not sure which pipe yard, but I've been into most of them & those boys who go in there every day don't secure them very well.... A couple straps & they be gone! And the straps aren't good straps either... frayed.... ripped.... rotted....

 

I agree Redd. I bet their was no belly wrap.

 

My understanding is u have to have one or the other "headboard or headache rack" but ive seen people running without them. Wonder where they keep all their chains? I think ill be keeping mine on.

 

There is no law saying you have to have a headache rack or a bulk head on the trailer.

Those laws that you are hearing about are actually company policy for 99% of the companies out there that pull flats... And commons sense would say to do whatever you have to do to protect your head!

 

1. http://search.google.dot.gov/FMCSA/...&proxystylesheet=blank_frontend&oe=ISO-8859-1

 

A headache rack would have slowed it down a little (maybe...but its doubtful). It would have still entered the truck...

Securing it would have been the smart thing to do...I don't have to see the whole load to know that...there should be a belly wrap within 18 inches of the front and rear of the load or the front and rear of the trailer if the load hangs over.

You can see about 6 or 8 feet of pipe...there should be 2 securements in that, I see one strap...broken. (match the weight of the load with securments according to their WLL)

It looks like he had a bulkhead built...but he only used 3 timbers to build it (not high enough, and there is no way to build one high enough for a load that tall and therefore pointless from the start)

 

People with common sense are getting hard to come by these days.

 

I agree I like the thought of the headache rack back there but have never had to use it if people dont have sense enough to secure and check their loads on a regular basis they have no buisness in a truck especilly a flatbed.

 

Working class.... I was mistaken! I was told by a company that wanted to lease me on recently that I didn't need one & I couldn't find the regs... I still declined that lease offer. Only because I have common sense. I'll rather hook up to that reefer & wait until I can afford to buy my flatbed equipment back.

Ridgerunner.... There are 5 boards chained onto the front... To me it looks like they are chained for storage... Not chained for protective purposed.

 

Maximum Load Width - 8'6" (102")
Maximum Load Height - 13'6" (some Western states allow 14' high loads)
Maximum Load Length - The length limit varies depending on whether the load travels on the Federal Interstate system, U S Highways or State highways. In some situations, loads can overhang 4' off a 48' trailer. No overhang is allowed on 53' trailers. Loads exceeding 53' can be transported on properly permitted stretch trailers.
The load maximums apply to the load and trailer combined. The height maximum, for example is 13'6" from the ground including both the trailer and the load.