Securing steel loads
 

I'm kinda curious, since I've never hauled nor even touched :roll: a flatbed....when hauling steel loads of any kind ( and I, for sure, have no idea of how many kinds there are ), do they have to be tarped too ? The other day, I saw a guy untarping a load of drill-pipes at a lease, and the issue has befuddled me ever since.

I just got back from Maverick ( I decided not to stay with them ) and they
pretty much tarp every load but it is up to the shipper or consignee as I was told. Most that were tarped were double tarped ( canvas was laid over the product first) .

Many consignees of steel loads will require tarping. The situation varies, but from what I understood when pulling a flat, the major consideration was road contamination of certain products. Think of road salts and other de-icers used up in the northern states that are corrosive. Also, crossing state lines has something to do with it also. Some loads I hauled in-state did not require a tarp, but then haul the exact same loads and cross state lines, a tarp was required. Then you get to the site, and they throw it off in the mud. arrghhhhh!.

the sipper or the paperwork will tell you if it's tarp or not. there is no method to this madness. lol.. some rusted banged up steel loads will have to be tarped while some new looking steel bars will not.. the list goes on

Most steel needs to be tarped. I would say about 50% or more of flat bed loads need a tarp. If you don't like to tarp, then flats are not the way to go.

I drive for Maverick and almost all steel loads are tarp.As far as securement.Maverick policy is steel on steel.In other words use chains on steel unless customer specifies differently.If any questions contact your fleet manager or safety dept.Maverick covers all of this during Orientation and load securement class.There are times you tarp and it doesn't make since but you better do it anyway.

Now for me most steel loads are tarped along with bricks and shingles. now for securing steel, i havent hauled the large coils yet but ive hauled 2 coils at 20000 lbs each and used every darned chain I have on the truck and just for just a little bit of extra security I throw a strap through them too but I prefer to load them suicide.
for plate steel, i use chains to "X" the front and the back and 2 or three over the steel, i also belly wrap the steel plates with a strap and then throw a few straps over the tarp.
rebar i dont use any chains just alot of straps and belly wrap that also and I do the same with steel tubing.
just remember when it looks good throw one or two more chains or straps ive never heard of DOT lecturing someone about overkill for securement and ive seen a coil on a flatbed on its side and the coil still chained to the trailer

Why do you prefer to load steel coils suicide? You are the first person I have ever heards say that!

That may be the only way for the shipper to load them.

I thought X-chaining a coil was forbidden.

Saying you use every chain available on the truck isn't really telling us how many chains you are actually using. You only need three chains for a 20,000 lbs. coil. A strap across the top is a good idea. I am assuming you are using a coil rack, timber and coil racks? I too tend to use more securement than is required, nevertheless, I would not use "all" the chains I carry to secure two 20,000 lbs. coils.

x- chaining a suicide coil is no longer allowed. though you can on a shotgun coil. why. i have no idea.

Securement
 

"plate steel, I use chains to "X" the front and the back" RTP, he's talking plate. BOL

At Maverick, when we haul plate steel,it is chains only.No straps at all.On coils,if they are loaded eye to the side chains only.If they are loaded shotgun,depending on the weight,4 chains crisscrossed and then straps across the top.You can never over secure a load. Just be sure it is secured properly to begin with.Always have respect for coils.

Very good advice there. Living in an area that has a major coil plant(USX Irvin Works) I have seen my drivers that have no respect for the coil. Thus causeing some major damage and headaches.
This guy hit the breaks to hard on a inproperly secured load:
http://www.brentwoodvfc.com/SteeCoil07/sc2.JPG
So did this guy:
http://www.brentwoodvfc.com/files/trk_tr_7b.jpg
Same guy but with company name: TEAM TRANSPORT(now part of PI&I). They were never good at load securment.
http://www.brentwoodvfc.com/files/trk_tr_2e.jpg
Both accidents happened at the same spot. Coming down a hill and about 1/2 down there is a stop light.
Here is link to the page that the pics came from. Scoll down the page to see the rest.
http://www.brentwoodvfc.com/actionshots.html

Drill pipe definitely does not need to be tarped. Most steel does though. It's really up to the receiver. In the winter, tarping will be more frequent because of the road salt. Typically, just use your best judgement or call the receiver (the actual receiver, not the secretary) and make sure. I used to haul T-posts pretty often where the Qualcomm would say "TARP". The first load I went ahead and tarped it. Tore my tarps to shreds. I got to the customer and he was shocked. Never tarped another T-post load. Still got paid for it though. :wink:

As for securement: well, that's another story. Steel requires a great deal of respect. But then again, most loads require respect. Be safe.

one reason i prefer suicide loading is to move you have to brake a chain shotgun sometimes side on their own :shock:

ya i meant with plate steel xing it seeing those pics of those coils being dropped thats just being stupid. like i tell everyone if it looks good enough throw one or two extra chains better to overkill than not enough and especially with coils.
a month or two ago i saw a truck with a coil on the deck going from i69 onto westbound 80/90 in indiana that was layed over and it appeared the coil was still on the trailer