Securement Overkill?

even though i do not do flat bed, i can absolutely recall what my instructor said to the class back in the late 70's....

"it's your load, do what you want, not what others do, cuz if there is an accident, they come after YOU not that guy in the truck stop".

 

Re: friction mats- they are required under vertical, palletized coils. Other configurations they are an option but the coil rack has to be secured to the deck somewise somehow, according to FMCSA guidelines.

Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 5: Metal Coils

I run a lot of coils and wouldn't go without friction mats, ever. They're good for 50% WLL laterally I believe. ####'s sticky.

 

I’m new, but I haul coils all the time. My company’s thing is what’s required plus one. 45k needs 5 chains for the DOT “plus one for the family”.

 

The other day I was hauling double T's (those big concrete "floors") on a stretch trailer. First time ever for those (60's long, 12' wide) and the #1(senior) guy in the company was out there too so i actually got some advice/training.

And after securing these down he says to me "always remember, it's your load, you do what works for you, take everyone's advice into account, but basically you get secure so you are comfortable no matter what anyone else says"

 

I was picking up skidded coils at some place. Got loaded and pulled up to next to some Euro guy in the "securement" area. I put three tie downs on the coils and this guy was talking smack between me and his buddy he was talking to on the phone. "ohh he is scared" (needing more than one tiedown per coil), blahh blahh.
Lol, I was done, tarped and gone, before this joker had his tarps over the load and he was there before I was.

People talk too much. Don't worry about them. Just do what you are comfortable with, over kill is insurance.

 

Overkill. No such thing.
You have to carry them straps and chains.
Why not put it on the load?

 

Overkill. No such thing.
You have to carry them straps and chains.
Why not put it on the load?

 

U good driver, ppl just lazy as fck... Better to have to much securement then to regret it when it comes rollin thru ur bunk