Stowing load locks

I used to keep a couple under my bunk in a Volvo 770

 

Strap them horizontally to your catwalk using rubber straps or buy a Load Lock Holder.

I stopped using them as they take up too much room being stored on my truck and I haven't used any in over a year and now I am using Load Straps, which is the equivalent of using Load Locks.

 

Unless things have changed, rubber tarp straps are NOT acceptable means of securing items to your catwalk or anywhere else for that matter. Their only acceptable use is to hold a tarp that is opened up covering a load. If you want to secure anything else, it needs to have a load rating. 1" straps work great for small, light weight stuff on the catwalk. If the wrong DOT man catches you with bungees holding rolled up tarps, dunnage, load locks, or any other equipment on your truck or trailer, you can be cited for having an unsecured load. Sure, I know and you know it probably won't go anywhere...and you may go through several level 1 inspections before you get an officer who will even notice...but if he does, and feels like making a stink over it, he can (and will).

 

Never forget seeing a CRE lease op in a green FL years ago....he must've had a dozen load locks riding between the cab extenders. One end of the bunch had fallen and was precariously close to creating a real problem. I tried to get his attention, and, well...you know how that went....

 

Don't let DOT catch you with load locks inside the cab. It's against the regulation to have anything in the cab that is not your personal property with the exception of certain safety items like a fire extinguisher and that must be secured.

 

Cite the regulation, please.

 

I was over weight on the trailer by 500 lbs and couldn't move the axles back due to California rules. So I took ten bags of peat moss (50 lbs each) and put them on the top bunk, put a strap across. Worked good.