Flatbed Hauling Trucking Companies, Flatbed Freight Shipping Rates, Transportation Quotes
Securing a heavy haul trucking load is required by the DOT. Flatbed Load Securement is Required by the DOT. Specific standards are required for securing these loads. To ensure that your cargo is secure for any open deck trailers like flatbeds and the many variations of these step decks standards must be followed. In the effort to prevent spilling and the subsequent hazards to safety that these spills would create a carrier must adhere to guidelines. To maintain safety and the possibility of damage to the truck, driver, any property and innocent by standers.
The department of transportation does not take flatbed load securement lightly. Over dimensional trucking load securement is especially monitored more frequently as standard practice. It is reported that of sixty thousand vehicle inspections almost sixteen percent were cited for violations to the securement of their cargo. The type of freight and type of flatbed being used will have specific requirements to follow. Even hot shots have their own set of standards.
Mainly for cargo securement tie downs and ratcheted straps are used combined with secured dunnage. Chains, ropes, clamps, latches, hooks, shackles, winches, and D-rings are other tools used depending on the type of cargo. Flatbeds usually have preinstalled rings fastened to the trailer deck directly from the factory to facilitate load securement.
The load must be secured to the trailer and immobilized but in such a way that the force exerted will not damage the cargo in any way. When in transit it is important to always keep your eye on the cargo and specifically to the securing systems used so that any subtle breach can be sighted and exposed before an issue presents itself. Securement should be checked before you begin your trip and every time that you stop. There are so many reasons that can cause loads to shift or loosen after many hours on the road.
These securing systems for heavy haul trucking have a working load limit that must be taken into consideration and strictly adhered to. The maximum load that may be applied to a load securement is the working load limit. During normal service the requirement by the FMCSA is fifty percent of the minimum working load limit requirement for a securement system. On a strap this load limit will be defined with a WLL designation followed by the number of pounds the strap is rated for.
When securing an over dimensional trucking load specific guidelines must be followed. For example, when moving a 100,000-pound piece of machinery with over erratic dimensions. Time must be taken to do this safely and insure that a load can be moved without damage.
The most common chain used is three eights with a seven for type seventy rated for six thousand pounds of securement. Unmarked straps have a per inch of width rating of one thousand pounds. There are also maximum damage allowances for example three quarters of an ich for a four-inch strap. Types of links that can not be used are long links, lap links, quick links, and cold shut links.
