Sliding winch tracks on flatbed trailers

I've searched the internet and this website for the answer I'm looking for, but no success. Here's the question.

On a flatbed trailer there is usually a sliding winch track on one or both sides of the trailer that allows you to position your straps where you need them to secure the freight. On this sliding track, there are bolts that block the movement of the winches: one at each end (to keep the winches from falling off) and two other bolts that are to keep you from positioning winches directly over tires. The pupose of the latter bolts are obvious, but by blocking winches over the tires, it also blocks areas where winches/straps would be safe to place. For example, the first bolt that restricts the winches over the drive tires is about 8-10 feet (I didn't measure) from the front of the trailer. I would like to run a winch forward and place it over the area between the drive tires so I don't have to use multiple 2 in. ratchet straps or a chain. The same thing applies for the bolt near the rear. I would like to remove these bolts.

Anyways, to wrap this up... is it legal to remove those bolts that restrict the winches from sliding to areas over the tires? This is a brand new, company-owned, Transcraft, 53 ft aluminum flatbed trailer. If somebody could point me to a regulation that says it is illegal to modify/remove such bolts, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks guys.

07-379 Pete, I was thinking the same as you. I run an 08 Volvo 670 with 22.5 tires... I would never place a winch directly over the tire, but I would place one in the section over and in between the drives. My company only provides us with2 inch ratchet straps and I don't trust them like a I do a 4 inch strap. So, unless I buy my own 4 inch ratchets, they're not an option.

I really just wanted to know if it is illegal to remove/modify the bolts from the winch track. Another guy in the Legal section kind of steered me in the "not illegal" direction.

 

NoTarps4Me (I like that name!), do you have a link to the product you are talking about?