Headache Racks

[tdriver1959]

Trying to find out if anyone has heard that a headache rack is not required to have when hauling flatbed load. Our company has always been under the understanding that one was required either on the truck or the front of the flatbed.
Been trying to find the reg that says you do or don't need one

[knightwolf71477]

I don't know the reg on it, but the last time I checked you have to have it on the truck or trailer. Plus when you are hauling a load of pipe the rack can help if the load should come loose, by keeping it for joining you in the cab. Granted it doesn't always stop it but it can slow it down a little.

[Myth_Buster]

§ 393.110 What else do I have to do to determine the minimum number of tiedowns?

[Editor’s Note: The following paragraph is revised effective July 24, 2006.]

(a) In addition to the requirements of § 393.106, the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure an article or group of articles against movement depends on the length of the article(s) being secured, and the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) When an article is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, other cargo that is positioned to prevent movement, or other appropriate blocking devices, it must be secured by at least:

(b)(1) One tiedown for articles 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less in length, and 1,100 pounds (500 kg) or less in weight;

(b)(2) Two tiedowns if the article is:

(b)(2)(i) 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less in length and more than 1,100 pounds (500 kg) in weight; or

(b)(2)(ii) Longer than 5 feet (1.52 meters) but less than or equal to 10 feet (3.04 meters) in length, irrespective of the weight.

(b)(3) Two tiedowns if the article is longer than 10 feet (3.04 meters), and one additional tiedown for every 10 feet (3.04 meters) of article length, or fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 feet (3.04 meters) of length.

[Editor’s Note: The following paragraph is revised effective July 24, 2006.]

(c) If an individual article is required to be blocked, braced or immobilized to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, other articles which are adequately secured or by an appropriate blocking or immobilization method, it must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 3.04 meters (10 feet) or article length, or fraction thereof.

(d) Special rule for special purpose vehicles. The rules in this section do not apply to a vehicle transporting one or more articles of cargo such as, but not limited to, machinery or fabricated structural items (e.g., steel or concrete beams, crane booms, girders, and trusses, etc.) which, because of their design, size, shape, or weight, must be fastened by special methods. However, any article of cargo carried on that vehicle must be securely and adequately fastened to the vehicle.

[67 FR 61228, Sep. 27, 2002; 71 FR 35833 June 22, 2006]

A headache rack is no longer required. If no headache rack is present then an additional helper strap has to be added.

Be safe.

[tdriver1959]

thank you appreciate the info

[ssoutlaw]

§ 393.110 What else do I have to do to determine the minimum number of tiedowns?

[Editor’s Note: The following paragraph is revised effective July 24, 2006.]

(a) In addition to the requirements of § 393.106, the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure an article or group of articles against movement depends on the length of the article(s) being secured, and the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(b) When an article is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, other cargo that is positioned to prevent movement, or other appropriate blocking devices, it must be secured by at least:

(b)(1) One tiedown for articles 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less in length, and 1,100 pounds (500 kg) or less in weight;

(b)(2) Two tiedowns if the article is:

(b)(2)(i) 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less in length and more than 1,100 pounds (500 kg) in weight; or

(b)(2)(ii) Longer than 5 feet (1.52 meters) but less than or equal to 10 feet (3.04 meters) in length, irrespective of the weight.

(b)(3) Two tiedowns if the article is longer than 10 feet (3.04 meters), and one additional tiedown for every 10 feet (3.04 meters) of article length, or fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 feet (3.04 meters) of length.

[Editor’s Note: The following paragraph is revised effective July 24, 2006.]

(c) If an individual article is required to be blocked, braced or immobilized to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead, other articles which are adequately secured or by an appropriate blocking or immobilization method, it must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 3.04 meters (10 feet) or article length, or fraction thereof.

(d) Special rule for special purpose vehicles. The rules in this section do not apply to a vehicle transporting one or more articles of cargo such as, but not limited to, machinery or fabricated structural items (e.g., steel or concrete beams, crane booms, girders, and trusses, etc.) which, because of their design, size, shape, or weight, must be fastened by special methods. However, any article of cargo carried on that vehicle must be securely and adequately fastened to the vehicle.

[67 FR 61228, Sep. 27, 2002; 71 FR 35833 June 22, 2006]

A headache rack is no longer required. If no headache rack is present then an additional helper strap has to be added.

Be safe.

]

It does not say, from the way I read it, you don't need a headache rack. I think the regs you posted are at best vague. I have had a ticket in a day cab, while my truck was in the shop, for hauling over sized concrete walls without a headache rack in Indiana. Someone else chime in with what you think. I myself would not haul a flat without a headache rack, it just makes to much sense...lol

All the helper straps in the world wont stop a load from moving forward, a headache rack will displace the load to a larger area, if you know what I mean...lol

[Myth_Buster]

The rule for a front end structure changed in October 2003. Here is the rule 49 CFR Part 393.106 on October 1, 2002

Sec. 393.106 Front-end structure.

(a) General rule.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this
section, every cargo-carrying motor vehicle must be equipped with a
headerboard or similar device of sufficient strength to prevent load
shifting and penetration or crushing of the driver's compartment.

(2) On and after the effective dates specified in paragraph (h) of
this section, every cargo-carrying motor vehicle must have a front-end
structure that conforms to the rules in this section.

(b) Location. The front-end structure must be located between the
vehicle's cargo and the vehicle's driver.

(c) Height and width. The front-end structure must extend either to
a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at
which it blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being carried on
the vehicle, whichever is lower. The front-end structure must have a
width which is at least equal to the width of the vehicle or which
blocks forward movement of any item of cargo being transported on the
vehicle, whichever is narrower.

(d) Strength. The front-end structure must be capable of
withstanding the horizontal forward static load specified in either
paragraph (d) (1) or (2) of this section.

(1) For a front-end structure less than 6 feet in height, a
horizontal forward static load equal to one half (\1/2\) of the weight
of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over
the entire portion of the front-end structure that is within 4 feet
above the vehicle's floor or that is at or below a height above the
vehicle's floor at which it blocks forward movement of any item of the
vehicle's cargo, whichever is less.

(2) For a front-end structure 6 feet in height or higher, a
horizontal forward static load equal to four-tenths (0.4) of the weight
of the cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over
the entire front-end structure.

(e) Penetration resistance. The front-end structure must be
designed, constructed and maintained so that it is capable of resisting
penetration by any item of cargo that contacts it when the vehicle
decelerates at a rate of 20 feet per second per second. The front-end
structure must have no aperture large enough to permit any item of cargo in contact with the structure to pass through it.

(f) Substitute devices. The requirements of this section may be met
by the use of devices performing the same functions as a front-end
structure, if the devices are at least as strong as, and provide
protection against shifting cargo at least equal to, a front-end
structure which conforms to those requirements.

(g) Exemptions. The following motor vehicles are exempt from the
rules in this section:

(1) A vehicle which is designed and used exclusively to transport
other vehicles, if each vehicle it transports is securely tied down by
devices that conform to the requirements of Sec. 393.102.

(2) A pole trailer or semitrailer being towed by a truck tractor
that is equipped with a front-end structure that conforms to the rules
in this section.

(3) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is equipped with a
front-end structure that conforms to the requirements of this section
for a front-end structure.

(4) A full trailer being towed by a vehicle that is loaded in such a
manner that the cargo on the towing vehicle conforms to the requirements of this section for a front-end structure.

(5) The rules in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section do not apply
to a motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1974.

(h) Effective dates. Cargo-carrying motor vehicles which are not
exempted by paragraph (g) of this section must conform to the rules in
this section as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
It must conform to
If the vehicle was manufactured-- the rules in On and after--
paragraph--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before Jan. 1, 1974............. (a), (b), and (f). October 1, 1973 or
the date it was
manu- factured,
whichever is
later.
Before Jan. 1, 1974............. (c)............... January 1, 1975.
On or after Jan. 1, 1974........ (a) through (f) The date it was
inclusive. manufactured.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section do not apply to a motor vehicle
that was manufactured before January 1, 1974.

The most current cargo securement regulations are available on line at CFR Part 393. I'd send you the the FMCSA's web site but there are some typos. :wink:

§ 393.106 What are the general requirements for securing articles of cargo?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section are applicable to the transportation of all types of articles of cargo, except commodities in bulk that lack structure or fixed shape ( e.g. , liquids, gases, grain, liquid concrete, sand, gravel, aggregates) and are transported in a tank, hopper, box, or similar device that forms part of the structure of a commercial motor vehicle. The rules in this section apply to the cargo types covered by the commodity-specific rules of §393.116 through §393.136. The commodity-specific rules take precedence over the general requirements of this section when additional requirements are given for a commodity listed in those sections.

(b) General. Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures of adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns or a combination of these.

(c) Cargo placement and restraint. (1) Articles of cargo that are likely to roll must be restrained by chocks, wedges, a cradle or other equivalent means to prevent rolling. The means of preventing rolling must not be capable of becoming unintentionally unfastened or loose while the vehicle is in transit.

(2) Articles or cargo placed beside each other and secured by transverse tiedowns must either:

(i) Be placed in direct contact with each other, or

(ii) Be prevented from shifting towards each other while in transit.

(d) Aggregate working load limit for tiedowns. The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of:

(1) One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an anchor point on an article of cargo;

(2) One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that is attached to an anchor point on the vehicle, passes through, over, or around the article of cargo, and is then attached to an anchor point on the same side of the vehicle.

(3) The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over, or around the article of cargo, and then attaches to another anchor point on the other side of the vehicle.

Notice Part 393.106 has been replaced.

§ 393.114 What are the requirements for front end structures used as part of a cargo securement system?

(a) Applicability. The rules in this section are applicable to commercial motor vehicles transporting articles of cargo that are in contact with the front end structure of the vehicle. The front end structure on these cargo-carrying vehicles must meet the performance requirements of this section.

(b) Height and width. (1) The front end structure must extend either to a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at which it blocks forward movement of any item or article of cargo being carried on the vehicle, whichever is lower.

(2) The front end structure must have a width which is at least equal to the width of the vehicle or which blocks forward movement of any article of cargo being transported on the vehicle, whichever is narrower.

(c) Strength. The front end structure must be capable of withstanding the following horizontal forward static load:

(1) For a front end structure less than 6 feet in height, a horizontal forward static load equal to one-half (0.5) of the weight of the articles of cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire portion of the front end structure that is within 4 feet above the vehicle's floor or that is at or below a height above the vehicle's floor at which it blocks forward movement of any article of the vehicle's cargo, whichever is less; or

(2) For a front end structure 6 feet in height or higher, a horizontal forward static load equal to four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the articles of cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire front end structure.

(d) Penetration resistance. The front end structure must be designed, constructed, and maintained so that it is capable of resisting penetration by any article of cargo that contacts it when the vehicle decelerates at a rate of 20 feet per second, per second. The front end structure must have no aperture large enough to permit any article of cargo in contact with the structure to pass through it.

(e) Substitute devices. The requirements of this section may be met by the use of devices performing the same functions as a front end structure, if the devices are at least as strong as, and provide protection against shifting articles of cargo at least equal to, a front end structure which conforms to those requirements.

[67 FR 61225, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 71 FR 35833, June 22, 2006]

Part 393.114 addresses front end structures. However, the requirement the freight be in direct contact with the front end structure eliminates the headache rack monted to the truck's chassis behind the cab.

As mentioned before, the helper strap is required when no front end structure is present. Headache racks are no longer required.

Be safe.

[ssoutlaw]

Your right you don't need the headache rack on the tractor. I thought you were insinuating you don't need any protection truck or trailer. The ticket I got, the truck and trailer had no protection. I know if the truck has no headache rack it must have a bulkhead on the trailer. I, myself don't like the bulkheads on the trailers, and would rather have a headache rack on the tractor. This has to do with the OD sized loads I haul..