Would you hook straps this way?

I've done that, only so the strap comes thru the rub rail and not the outside.

 

If you have a used trailer most likely you won't be able to do that because the forklifts have hit it enough that it won't go through every where.

 

I know that the methods shown are the way most people hook their straps (including me when I was pulling a flat). But that is not how they should be hooked. They should be ran between the rub rail and the bed and attached under the bed of the trailer. The rub rail is there to protect your straps from being cut if something comes into contact with your trailer. Not to mention the fact that the rub rail is the weakest part of the trailer. However, DOT doesn't say anything about it. And a lot of trailers don't really have any place to hook a strap other than the rub rail. Do what ya gotta do. I'm just pointing out that there are sometimes better ways (depending on your trailer) to hook straps.

 

No I wouldn't.
I agree with @RustyBolt, rubrails are to protect your straps, not anchor points.
Oh yeah, and BC will give you a ticket for that.

 

I too agree with rustybolt, the purpose of the rub rail is to protect the strap and other securement things. I sometimes get trucks loaded and ready to go when I arrive at a customers place, if they are setup outside the rub rail, I take all the straps off and do it right. Sometimes that will delay me 30 minutes or so but I do it right. Another reason is I seem to run into the same county cop who will cite anyone for this.

 

I agree with you. Straps should be behind the rail and hooked under the trailer bed. But, I can tell you that some trailer manufacturers, Benson for one, says the edges of their trailers are not rated as securement points. That you should use the rub rail, or the chain tie downs only. I didn't like it, but it was what we were told to do at that company I worked for. For a time, all they had was Bensons. We even had a statement from Benson in our permit book that explained that their rubrail was the "engineered securement point" on their trailers.