Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[4570Man]

Not so sure. People are generally stupid and have to be treated as such. The guy tying 2x4s to the roof of his car with string has maybe never done that before. The big box store sees people drive away like that all day long and even gives them the string. There has to be some responsibility in that. I have sold equipment and not allowed someone to leave without securing it properly, giving them or selling them straps.

That string is pretty strong stuff. If you weren’t doing something stupid to begin with like loading mattresses or plywood on top of a car it would be fine.

 

[California]

Any issues with this?

Nah.

Here's a whole thread of photos I took, and posted on here. Subject: tractors for highway transport in India, 2004.

 

[Streetcar]

No pictures because load had four straps. Passed guy hauling Honda gold wing on a motorcycle trailer. That trailer looked like it belonged in a rodeo bucking and swaying side to side. Motorcycle was pulled to front of trailer

 

[BigBlue1]

Not so sure. People are generally stupid and have to be treated as such. The guy tying 2x4s to the roof of his car with string has maybe never done that before. The big box store sees people drive away like that all day long and even gives them the string. There has to be some responsibility in that. I have sold equipment and not allowed someone to leave without securing it properly, giving them or selling them straps.

You're never going to fix the stupid ones by having someone else be responsible. They need to be held accountable. Your method is akin to saying "well, he doesn't drive very well so we should have a chauffeur drive him". Again, that's what is wrong today... not making the individual responsible just makes things worse. Stop delegating the responsibility to someone else. If someone does something bad they get punished and eventually others will pay attention and start doing better.

 

[two_bit_score]

You're never going to fix the stupid ones by having someone else be responsible. They need to be held accountable. Your method is akin to saying "well, he doesn't drive very well so we should have a chauffeur drive him". Again, that's what is wrong today... not making the individual responsible just makes things worse. Stop delegating the responsibility to someone else. If someone does something bad they get punished and eventually others will pay attention and start doing better.

:thumbsup:

 

[lilranch2001]

I have looked at the article about the mattress twice now and see no reference to a string or a big box store where it was purchased!
:confused3:
Am I missing something or is this just more fake news?

 

[Industrial Toys]

No. I just made a comment about how often this scenereo plays out. At the very least, the store should offer a FREE knot tying workshop! Trouble with string, is it takes a lot of engenuity to get it tight. Give me enough free string and I could secure a D9.

 

[Farmer495]

This is in the paper now locally.

Man charged after mattress flies off car, 2 women die in highway crash

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/barneys-river-station-fatal-crash-driver-charged-1.5323057

Interesting everyone initially blamed the trucker, then it came out 19 year old guy lost his mattress on the road and kept going. 2 people die because it came off, he gets charged with criminal negligence causing death.

 

[dstig1]

You're never going to fix the stupid ones by having someone else be responsible. They need to be held accountable. Your method is akin to saying "well, he doesn't drive very well so we should have a chauffeur drive him". Again, that's what is wrong today... not making the individual responsible just makes things worse. Stop delegating the responsibility to someone else. If someone does something bad they get punished and eventually others will pay attention and start doing better.

While I agree, there is an education element that plays into this also. I have been guilty of not properly securing a load in the past because i didn't know any better. I get it now. If someone at the big box store had said "even though you may think this is OK, you really need a strap over the top" then the full lift of 2" XPS foam (4x8 sheets 4' tall) would not have sailed out of my PU truck box years back on a windy day... Turns out the shrink wrap was damaged or not quite tight at the top and it pulled the top sheet partially free from the airflow/wind and then that picked up the whole thing and sent it airborne. Fortunately nobody or nothing harmed. Lesson learned but didn't think it was possible until then... I also saw a drop in bed liner fly out on a windy day on the freeway (not mine). Those are the things people don't think can happen until they do...

But put a mattress on the roof of your car? You are an idiot... Not even a chance of holding it down. But this also - the store should tell you this is a bad idea as they should know better. Sign here that you did this against our advice. Good luck.

 

[4570Man]

How’s this job?

 

[two_bit_score]

A few clips and that roof will be fine.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Many stores have signs that say they they are not responsible for loading issues. Several that I know of will actually reprimand or fire a employee if caught helping secure loads. Seems pretty clear that they are concerned about the liability.

 

[BigBlue1]

While I agree, there is an education element that plays into this also. I have been guilty of not properly securing a load in the past because i didn't know any better. I get it now. If someone at the big box store had said "even though you may think this is OK, you really need a strap over the top" then the full lift of 2" XPS foam (4x8 sheets 4' tall) would not have sailed out of my PU truck box years back on a windy day... Turns out the shrink wrap was damaged or not quite tight at the top and it pulled the top sheet partially free from the airflow/wind and then that picked up the whole thing and sent it airborne. Fortunately nobody or nothing harmed. Lesson learned but didn't think it was possible until then... I also saw a drop in bed liner fly out on a windy day on the freeway (not mine). Those are the things people don't think can happen until they do...

But put a mattress on the roof of your car? You are an idiot... Not even a chance of holding it down. But this also - the store should tell you this is a bad idea as they should know better. Sign here that you did this against our advice. Good luck.

Sure, encourage the stores to offer some info. But don't hold them responsible for the situation however it unfolds.

Actually, the "offer guidance" scenario can't happen these days _because_ of the fact that stores have been held responsible in the past and now their lawyers and insurance companies forbid them from taking even a precautionary part lest they get held responsible again for not doing enough. ("Your sign wasn't adequate and look what happened!") As I said earlier, the lack of holding the individual responsible is what is causing things to get worse because of this type of thing.

So next time somebody makes a stupid choice and the mattress flies off and somebody dies then hold that person responsible for negligent manslaughter and make sure it is well published. _That_ is what will eventually reduce the problem. Others will see it and realize that they better not make the same stupid choice.

 

[Diggin It]

But put a mattress on the roof of your car? You are an idiot... Not even a chance of holding it down.

Depends on the mattress and the car. I could do it easily on my 95 Taurus wagon with a twin or full size and have it securely tied down across several points, including front to back. A larger size mattress or car with less roof space would be less likely to be safe.

How痴 this job?

Width and weight look OK. Straps seem undersized, but that could be perspective. I'd have another set of straps front to back though.

 

[Diggin It]

Many stores have signs that say they they are not responsible for loading issues. Several that I know of will actually reprimand or fire a employee if caught helping secure loads. Seems pretty clear that they are concerned about the liability.

Actually, the "offer guidance" scenario can't happen these days ...

Any time I've loaded lumber at a big box store has been pretty much the same. They help me get the stuff off the cart on to the trailer, then skeedaddle right quick. They do not stick around to help with any portion of the tie down.

 

[Diggin It]

I need to figure out how best to do the next load of roofing though. Length of panels will be 13'6" and there will be 8 of them. At about 2 pounds per foot, the total load should be less than 300 pounds which is well within the 1,000 pound trailer capacity. But there will be about 5-6 feet hanging off the back of the 8 foot trailer. That will also put the weight behind center and lift the tongue. If I pull the stake sides and front, I can shift the load forward a foot or so at the most which might help some, but not a lot.

My plan is to get 3 or 4 bags of concrete (which I need anyways) to stack on top of the metal sheets forward of center to to bring the load back down on the tongue and hitch.

Flagging will handle the marking the extra length off the trailer.


Thoughts?

 

[Howling]

How rigid are the roofing panels? May want to pick up a few 12 foot 2x's to support that 5-6 foot over hang.

 

[Redlands Okie]

80 lb sacks ? These little 50 lb sacks are getting common and might need a few more of that weight size.

 

[BigBlue1]

I need to figure out how best to do the next load of roofing though. Length of panels will be 13'6" and there will be 8 of them. At about 2 pounds per foot, the total load should be less than 300 pounds which is well within the 1,000 pound trailer capacity. But there will be about 5-6 feet hanging off the back of the 8 foot trailer. That will also put the weight behind center and lift the tongue. If I pull the stake sides and front, I can shift the load forward a foot or so at the most which might help some, but not a lot.

My plan is to get 3 or 4 bags of concrete (which I need anyways) to stack on top of the metal sheets forward of center to to bring the load back down on the tongue and hitch.

Flagging will handle the marking the extra length off the trailer.


Thoughts?

Yep, the idea of putting something like bags of concrete or softener salt on the front of the trailer as ballast is a good one. And so is the suggestion to put a couple 2x4 (or 2x6, etc) under the steel.

Rob

 

[duramaxsky]

The only way a store can totally avoid liability is not let anyone take it themselves. They need to change the laws so they won't responsible for advice and train employees on safe loading and not let people do unsafe loading on their property.