Too cool for a headache rack?

Yes it takes more skill than one may think, unfortunately many give it no thought!

 

No, there’s nothing wrong with straps on steel when it is loaded correctly. Pulled up beside this guy at the toll booth, there was gaps between these 4X4 steel bars which obviously means “nothing” but gravity was keeping it on the trailer. I see so many using straps on sharp corners of steel, then wonder why the strap is damaged!! @peterbilt_2005 pretty much said it best.....

 

So how would chains be any better in that scenario?

 

1/8" thick aluminum won't stop 45,000 lbs of steel bar, no matter how well designed it is. They aren't a bulkhead, they are storage for chains and binders, and if you are lucky and get one with doors, straps and other equipment.

 

Chains nor straps either one is good here with open spacing between the steel bars. poor load job and driver obviously didn’t speak up. One advantage is belly wrapping to help pull it together, very few do it that I personally see out here. Chains last longer than straps on edges when not protected by a edge protector.

This guy for example, loaded and unloaded around him quite a bit. Never seen a 3/8” chain on his trailer all 5/16”. Never seen him belly wrap a load although it’s actually a requirement here to have at least one chain belly wrapped per bundle. Usually one chain and one strap and he is gone!

A round like one of these is what killed a woman just 9 miles from the plant..... 9 MILES!!!!!! That’s as far as one driver made it before his load came off the trailer, went over the bridge and took a woman off the back of her husbands motorcycle. Once again what @peterbilt_2005 said stands true.... flatbedding is a skilled job like it or not.

Just because a guy knows how to start a dozer doesn’t mean he is a operator.

I was hauling steel before the owner of that flatbed pictured here started jumping ball to ball to keep from getting shot into the honeypot.... but he knows more than I do, done seen that so I kept my thoughts to myself.

 

If you see how and what @Zeviander and @OLDSKOOLERnWV have mentioned here. Many parts of a flatbed are tools for the trade. None of us said a headache rack is a saftey device or bulkhead to stop product movement.

Besides straps and chains we have chunks of wood, pieces of old conveor belt, fire hose and rug remenants. And alot more I haven't mentioned.

You could go-to the same shipper and pickup similar loads. And every one has its quirks to be secured. Don't think having one is a waste of time. It's a tool will it assist you in doing your job better or quicker? Will your equipment stay organized in a side box better than a head ache rack? Who knows how your organizational skills are. Find out what works for you. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says.

It's your responsibility to secure your loads using what tools you have.

Just work smarter not harder, and don't skip steps to save time. you could be that driver 9 miles from the shipper one day talking to the officer.

 

A friend of mine was pulling a hopper bottom, lost control and rolled his truck. The truck was an old log truck and had a headache rack. It was crunched down a bit, but kept the cab from crushing him. I agree they dont look so great but I know he's glad he's still alive

 

Any protection at all is better than none.

Like the little old lady that pee’d in the ocean.... ever little bit helps.

 

I dont use a headache rack...just junk up the back of my truck...

@OLDSKOOLERnWV
I haul big titanium rounds, 15-20k each, alot of guys wrap them but I don't, I use J hooks omin my tracks that are between the center track and outside track....it makes the chain a short pull and tight to the sides.

I dont like the wraps on the rough titanium, they never get as tight as I'd like them to.

 

Yes, but having chains hanging neatly on a headache rack chain rack is a lot easier to get out than a bunch of chains pilled in a box. Our racks are spaced far enough back that it's not too much trouble to clean the rear window.

Every one of our trucks has racks on them. I think they make a day cab look better, we mount our caution lights on them, all have chain racks, and 2 of the trucks have the hyd tank made into the rack.