Straps inside rubrail or out?

You could hook the strap on the rub rail and then thread the strap through the inside of the rub rail and be compliant. You don't need to be able to put the hook through the rub rail. I have seen some who don't have a rub rail or put straps on the outside of the rub rail. But, I would not take a chance. The only way that I will put a strap on the outside of the rub rail is because the load is wider than the rail and that is the only way to secure the load. If you happen to have your straps on the outside of the rub rail and run across a scale where the scalemaster knows something about securement you could get a ticket. Personally, I don't think it is worth the risk.

 

I thought that was one of the stupidest things the DOT ever did was change that law where we could not hook our straps to the rub rail or go outside of the rail if the load was wide. That just showed we had people making rules that never worked in the industry or never got out from behind a desk to do their homework. I argued with a New Mexico DOT officer one day about this and when it was all said and done he told me to get on down the road because I was giving him a headache, I guess I was more stubborn then he was.

On the trailer I was pulling I could not hook the straps to anywhere but the rub rail. I had a sliding rail for my winches on both sides and could not hook the strap to that. He said hook them underneath to the beams I said I can't because my hooks are not big enough and even if they were I would not do it. The reason being what happens if a car runs into you or you run over something and it cuts your strap, what if your strap comes loose and the hook slides out and swings out and hits someone or something. I have always rapped the hook side around my rub rail. If it does come loose it is going anywhere. I would see drivers run their strap all the way underneath the trailer and hook them that way and still see it down today, that is so dumb and dangerous, I am glad they changed that rule a few years back.

 

Some rules may sound good in principle, but don't work so well in the real world. These people will see a single incident and then decide that they need to make a law or rule that will prevent this thing from happening again. Regardless of how many laws or rules they make, there is absolutely no way to make things 100% safe or secure. It would be much better if they actually had people who do the work to try their new rules before they enact them. Some of them are simply unrealistic. Some can actually make the situation worse and less safe or secure.

 

It would be kinda hard to put the straps o the inside of a Western Trailer, they dont have rub rails.

 

Wilson use to build theirs with no rub rail the floor was solid all the way across. SMX trailers were that way.

 

That's too much reading for me right now, but I'm sure if you've taken the time to read up on the current laws you'll find that you CAN in fact have your straps on the outside of the rails now. HOWEVER, if there are any signs of chaffing, they can "discount" that strap.

 

I always run my straps under the rubrail just because I like my rails to stay nice and straight.