D rings/stake pockets

[Rhon]

I see that most everyone uses the stake pockets to secure their equipment to. If your trailer has d rings, what do you use them for? Is it better to use the pockets over the rings? I've used both but just wondering...
thanks

 

[Highbeam]

Most trailers come from the factory with several stake pockets. Mine did. They have so far been strong enough to bind tractors to. I would much rather use D-rings welded properly to the frame in the proper places just because the stake pockets don't look to be super strong.

D-rings are custom aftermarket pieces. The trailer already had stake pockets, that's why people use them.

 

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

I have a Neal bumper pull 5 + 14 foot tilt bed trailer that I haul a scissor lift on. I purchased the trailer new and put side boards on it and I needed a way to boom down the scissor lift to the floor ( 2X pressure treated wood) and I needed to be able to load materials along side the scissor lift to take to the job site at the same time. I looked at various ways to do it, but could not figure how I would make a D-ring work, then the idea light kicked on. I took my 3HP plunge router and chucked a 1/2" bit in it and removed a slot in the wood right over the frame. I did this in four places. I then took a length of 3/8" chain about 16-18" and a chain connector and placed the chain permanently around the frame. When not in use the chain is below the surface of the floor, but when needed it is right there for use. Handy as the pocket on a shirt.

 

[George2615]

My 8.5 x 20' trailer came with several stake pockets. They asked if I wanted D - rings and I said no. I said no because I wanted to buy and install my own where I wanted them which is what I did. I put my tractor on the trailer then figured where I wanted the D-rings and welded them on. I have 6 (2 each side and 2 in back) and am going to add 2 more to the front. I also use the stake pockets for other types of loads.

 

[Will_C]

My trailer is aluminum, so the stake pockets are not able to be used as tie downs. I speced 4 recessed D rings on the corners when I bought it, and will be adding another 4 where I need them for my tractor and implement.

Will

 

[QRTRHRS]

About the only advantage of pockets over D-rings is if the chain slack, at least the hook will stay in place (if properly placed). Where as, the hook on a chain going through a D-ring could possibly come loose if the chain slacked depending on how you chain up.

That said, most of the stake pockets I see don't look to be near as heavy as they are on a big truck trailer. Some of the welding is skimpy too.

 

[deepNdirt]

I would say the D-rings are more for tying down things, I use to have an 18 ft lowboy car hauler that had stake pockets and I used them for stake side rails, always felt more comfortable hauling things when having a rail as not to have something falling off the trailer,

 

[schmism]

I would much rather use D-rings welded properly to the frame in the proper places just because the stake pockets don't look to be super strong.

Based on linear inches of weld (were more = stronger hold) then my stake pockets far outweigh the D rings Although D rings can be mechanically fastened.... but id say 9 out of 10 times they are not

 

[JB4310]

I use the stake pockets on my 20ft flat bed, they are very handy. But this raises a good question, they are called stake pockets, not heavy equipment tie-downs.

I'm pretty sure they have no safety weight rating like every other part of the equation from chains, binders, hooks, shackles the trailer itself etc etc.

So I wonder what the trailer manufacturers or the highway safety dept has to say about using stake pockets to hold equipment down ???

Ideally slip hooks would be the better choice for D-rings, as opposed to grab hooks IMO.

Here's a pic of a brand new trailer, no D-rings, just stake pockets. And a pic of my set up.

JB

 

[Rhon]

Interesting. I tend to use the rings more than the pockets. The shop that built it was serious when they welded the rings and pockets on. They look like they're both extra heavy duty.

 

[dstig1]

Mine has D-rings in the corners (welded to a corner plate that is welded to the frame, so they are very sturdy), but because my trailer is a bit short for the tractor, two of them get hidden by the bucket, so I ony use the two at the back of the tractor and 2 stake pockets at the front of it.

 

[flusher]

I see that most everyone uses the stake pockets to secure their equipment to. If your trailer has d rings, what do you use them for? Is it better to use the pockets over the rings? I've used both but just wondering...
thanks

My tractor hauler is a 2004 Isuzu NPR stakebed (8'x14') to which I added a set of four 12,000 lb rated D-rings. I plan to use the stake pockets for the removable sides--hence the D-rings which are welded to 1/2" thick steel angle which in turn are bolted to the stakebed frame via four 1/2" dia grade 8 bolts per D-ring.

 

[tractorboy5500]

When i was looking into buying a gooseneck about a year ago, I think it was Anderson trailers offered D-rings for options, either stake pockets or D-rings or maybe both, not sure.They looked heavy duty.

 

[SixHoeBob]

I bought a trailer similar to JB4310's last summer. I ordered my Bri-Mar trailer without D-rings, because I wanted the deck to be flat without obstructions.
I had them put five additional stake pockets on each side so that there would be tie-down points in the right place, regardless of what I was hauling. The rub rail helps spread the load to some extent to the neighboring stake pockets. I also had three stake pockets welded along the front of the deck for tie-downs. Lastly, I added two D-rings to the topside of the tongue right behind the hitch coupler.

 

[Hematite]

Ordered my trailer with 8 welded D rings. The only way to go!:thumbsup:

 

[JB4310]

So for those who use D-rings exclusively, how do you attach chain?

With chain thru it and use grab link, or with a slip hook.

JB.

 

[Hematite]

Chain through the D ring, bring the hook around and put it on a link. Same on the other end and use a ratchet binder to take up slack.

 

[dstig1]

I have a chain hook with the spring-loaded keeper latch on it that prevents it from falling off too easily. I just hook that onto the D ring and it stays there.

 

[JB4310]

I have a chain hook with the spring-loaded keeper latch on it that prevents it from falling off too easily. I just hook that onto the D ring and it stays there.

Slip hooks? that's what I do with the clevis shackles on the back of my tractor. I set up many of my chains like that, a grab hook on one end and a slip hook on the other.

JB.

 

[schmism]

View attachment 210778

Is a perfect example of what i ment when i was comparing the relative holding strength of the D rings to stake pockets by comparing shear number of inches of weld on each.

not to mention relative strength in off axis pulls