Tips and Tricks of flatbedding

Cwoodsmash · Dec 31, 2024

CAXPT said: ↑

That's half the battle. If you could afford it, and for your own purposes, you could consider getting the Cargo Securement Flatbeds - DVD Training Program that goes over those problem areas I mentioned. At the very least, check out their sample video on that web page, which briefly explains those confusing subjects of Workiing Load Limit and Aggregate Working Load Limit calculations. If I had to bascially train myself, like you are, and I could afford it, I'd get it.

When I started, I learned by reading the regulations and asking questions where I loaded. The first OTR job I had was run by a con man, so it was all on my own, until I landed a job with Swift and went through their flatbed loading course. By then, I'd already hauled a coil, large frame steel assembly, wheeled hi-los, etc...so I did a lot of reading through those regulations long before I got a proper training program under my belt. If I'd known about this DVD back then (if it was available) I'd have gotten it to take the stress out of learning on my own. At least, avail yourself of that sample video to get an idea of what it can teach you about flatbed securement.

Good Luck, and make sure to ask questions when you need to. Here, where you load (although, be wary of bad advice), etc.

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I will look into the videos. I ordered the handbook, it should be delivered tomorrow. My training was basically two straps first five feet one every ten after that. I know there is more to it and it is on me to learn because if I get stopped I get the ticket. More importantly, I do not want to hurt someone either.

Cwoodsmash · Dec 31, 2024

Buc said: ↑

May I give two very specific examples of this? And I offer this without really knowing what all commodities @Cwoodsmash is carrying. Both of these examples have to do with coils. Mind you, much of this is filtered through TMC's load securement training, since that's where I got my start. I also went by it all twelve years I went skateboarding, because those stringent standards outpaced the DOT regs every time. (Of course I'm in a whole other segment of trucking now so I'm sure I've forgotten more than a few details.)

One of our tests, and I can even say "final exam" of load securement training was "The Coil Test." (That's literally what it was called...it was a two-parter: a paper exam followed by actual demonstration.) Basically, how many chains does one 40000 coils require? I've since lost my notes for the formulas they taught us, but basically, six chains—and in TMC's case, one 4" strap over the top. Thats not a DOT reg—at least I don't think it is—but a/ it was 5400 lbs more securement, since that's what their 4" nylon straps were rated for; it also gave the tarp something to ride on. (And just about everyone in here knows that one of TMC's many acronyms is "Tarp My Cargo". ) at lb 40001, I put a seventh chain on. Thankfully I never pulled anything over 48000 lbs, but I pulled several that were close, and if it went over 44000 lbs, I put a seventh chain on. Now, about those chains: they had the 5/16" chains and binders, which were each rated for 4700 lbs. (I want to say the 3/8" chains are rated for like 6300 lbs—but TMC doesn't have those and I never worked for a company that used them, so someone correct me if I'm off on that figure.)

Let's add all that up using the 40000 lb coil test. Six chains+binders rated at 4700 lbs each (and bear in kind its really the rating of the binders that's most important, and not all of them match that of the chains) = 28200 lbs. Add one 4" strap rated at 5400 lbs to that and you come up with a total of 33600 lbs of load securement. That is well over half the weight of the load, and thats really the key to understanding WLL: the combined total rating of all securement devices must equal at least half the weight of the freight. That said, very obviously and especially with something as dangerous as a suicide coil (which i pulled WAAAYYYY too many of those during my skateboarding years), that minimum ain't gonna cut it.

Now, that segues into this next part. In the case of one suicide coils (or shoot, even a skidding or "eye to the sky" coil, not that I ever carried one that weighed THAT much), the securement devices, chains and strap, touched the freight and were anchored to both sides of the trailer, pulling down on both sides of the freight. For the OP, here's where things will trip you up: if both ends of a securement device are anchored to the same side of trailer, cut the WLL in half. Such would be the case for, say, a horseshoe chain through a shotgun coil (eye to the front). Those things require four chains—two chains forming an X across the bottom of the eye, and one horseshoe chain for each side of the coils (where the WLL would get cut in half, because it's only pulling to one side). How many straps go over the top would depend on how heavy the coil is. The way TMC trained us, if it was a 48000 lb shotgun (and I carried some that weighed slightly more), it'd be those four chains+binders plus four 4" straps over the top.

So let's add all that up. Four 4700 lb-rated chains+binders = 18800. Except two of those chains are pulling to the same side of the trailer, so we have to halve the weight rating of those two chains+binders, so, (4700 x 2) + (2350 x2) = 14100, plus four 4" straps over the top at (5400 x 4) = 21600, for a grand total of 40,400. That well exceeds the WLL standards for that particular coil.

I hope this helps somewhat (and that I didn't forget too many details...it's been almost four years since I left the skateboarding world!)
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A lot of detail, thank you for taking the time to type that out.

Chinatown · Jan 25, 2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/-Dm-VjI9VYE?si=E76_MK2kGJ4CEal6

CAXPT · Jan 26, 2025

Chinatown said: ↑

https://youtube.com/shorts/-Dm-VjI9VYE?si=E76_MK2kGJ4CEal6
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Sadly, that is how they unload this stuff at construction sites. Maybe put some angle on it and get the back end lower to the ground, but essentially, that is what they do to drop the load and get out from under it. Standard practice. The guy standing next to the trailer in the first one, before it took off..probably shouldn't have been there.

To wit:

Kyle G. · Jan 26, 2025

CAXPT said: ↑

Sadly, that is how they unload this stuff at construction sites. Maybe put some angle on it and get the back end lower to the ground, but essentially, that is what they do to drop the load and get out from under it. Standard practice. The guy standing next to the trailer in the first one, before it took off..probably shouldn't have been there.

To wit:

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I've seen those roller trailers driving around empty and always wondered what they were for. Now it all makes sense!

Kenworth6969 · Feb 6, 2025

Number 1 tip, don't do it! Rates too cheap!

JasperGB · Feb 16, 2025

FoolsErrand said: ↑

Hauled 48k of 1/2" rebar today for the first time and figured out a better way to do a full wrap than what i had been. I put one on each bundle and nothing moved at all.

View attachment 320221

Used a full length strap, fed hook end under the pile from driver side to passenger side with my fishin pole, then threw it back over the top to the driver side again. Flattened strap out and set the hook to hang on the deck then fed the fold into winch. Tossed slack end from driver to passenger and straightened it out so nothing overlapped, the ends are offset. It wraps the pile like a spring or a barber pole paintjob. Passenger side tail goes into a dropin or a 4inch hand ratchet since i havent got winches over there. Cinch these straps first, from each side equally, and itll bind up like tied corn stalks. Then tighten all the regular straps.

Note the J hook edge protector.

Careful with that J Hook “protector”.

A few good bumps and you will have a loose strap.

View attachment 320223
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Tips and Tricks of flatbedding

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Tips and Tricks of flatbedding

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