My latest load was all different kinds of steel. Angle, flat, square, 10 to 50 feet long. I couldn't use a headboard because the 50' was hanging over both ends. So I put 7 chains around everything, that's at least 2 chains for each different piece. And wrapped a chain around the front end of the stuff in the middle. I wrapped a strap around the long square stuff, no sharp edges, and a couple more straps where it didn't look 100% rock solid. I tarped it and through 3 straps over the tarps to hold them and add just a tad bit more security.
I had two concerns with this load.
1- they young punk who loaded it, looked like he was high, set some of the steel on blocks that were shimmed up with little pieces of wood. I've had loads like this before, and the little sheet always wiggles out. (hence, the more than enough chains). It was like pulling teeth to get the stuff together with no gaps, and I had him move some stuff that just wasn't right, but after being there for 9 hours, I finally decided it was good enough! And it was, It went 850 miles without a snag.
2- A couple chains loosened up a bit, but I couldn't get to them under the tarp. I didn't want to take that friggin' tarp back off, so what do you do? Another driver suggested that I hit the chains to make sure they have 'set' and aren't holding on a link on the edge of some steel. I usually do, but in my haste, I must have missed a couple, or the steel still moved a bit.
PS, How do you keep the ends of the steel from ripping the tarps??
Chikin Trucka