When I was with TMC I remember loading at some big mill in East Chicago, IN. Most of the guys were locals with beat-up old Freightshakers and rusty steel trailers. They'd load up 40,000#+ coils, throw maybe two or three chains and leave within 15 minutes. So I back in, load up a ~45,000# coil, throw six chains and start doing the TMC "tent tarp". I'd already been in there about an hour or so and the locals, plus the crane operator were getting pissed. About the same time another TMC boy pulls in and gets the same load going to the same place. He comes over and asks how to go about securing the bastard. I tell him use at least five chains, no kinks, make sure the chains are straight, and tighten them down with everything you got. Next day I get to the customer, get unloaded, and here comes this same guy backing in next to me and undoing his tarp. I guess he let the pressure of the locals get to him back in E. Chicago because he only had four chains on that d&mned coil! For a 45,000# coil, that doesn't even meet federal law much less TMC's policy of 1.5 times securement. TMC's policy is basically if the fed says five chains, use six.
I've always hated hauling those big coils. They just plain make me nervous. As far as I'm concerned, the more securement, the better. And if the mill wants me out before I'm done, I don't care. I'll secure it outside. I prefer fresh air anyway!
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CPFR: Certified Professional Freight Relocator
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