Tie Down Capacity

[KennyG]

Does anyone have a guideline for required capacity of tie down straps? I know straps have a working capacity and also have a ultimate strength to provide a factor of safety, but how does the weight of the load correspond to the hold down capacity. For example, if you have a 2000 lb load on a trailer, should the working capacity of the tie downs be 2000 lb or should it be more to account for inertia of the load?

 

[bdog]

In general working capacity should be equal to or greater than weight of load. I would not use straps for anything with wheels except maybe four wheeler use chains Instead.

 

[KennyG]

I've noticed a lot of people are negative on straps and insist on chains, but if you are within the load limits, why? If you have a CUT weighing 1500 to 2500 lbs, held down with 4 straps rated at 1500 or 2000 lbs each, what do you gain with chains?

 

[kevinj]

I've noticed a lot of people are negative on straps and insist on chains, but if you are within the load limits, why? If you have a CUT weighing 1500 to 2500 lbs, held down with 4 straps rated at 1500 or 2000 lbs each, what do you gain with chains?

Look up the usdot, fmcsa website and read the rules.

I think you can only use about 1/2 the load of a tie down so you have a large safety factor.

Straps seem to break easier than chains in a shock load like a tired machine.

 

[dstig1]

In my case, I had to buy something - either straps or chains. I figurerd I might as well get chains as the cost differential is minor and they are the stronger, more durable alternative. But then my tractor is significantly heavier than what you said yours was.

 

[RoMad]

I always wonder about the straps verses chain theory too. I see semis every day with big loads tied down with straps only. If I tie my tractor down with four straps, with one at each corner I just can't see how it is not safe. As far as being on wheels I put my FEL bucket down on the trailer and also whatever implement I have on I also sit completely down on the trailer.

 

[RippySkippy]

I once had an item strapped on a small trailer...nothing too heavy, and I stopped several times to snug them up. I could have used chains, but thought the chain may damage the item.

Arrived at the destination, and I'll be darned one of the straps had a small cut in the edge. I did not think the edge it was on would cut, but it did. I only use straps for holding things like lumber, or furniture or items where chains would damage it, otherwise it's chains. When I do use straps, it's done in over-kill.

 

[bigtiller]

Good timing on this thread. This afternoon I bought some new straps to tie down my JD 2305 and tiller. I had four 3000 pound straps that were 2 years old and showing some wear where the binder wraps around. So I replaced them with four 10,000 pound straps. I use some short chain pieces and hooks so that the strap never touches anything.

I am in the public a lot with it and I got tired of people asking me about the strength of the straps. I guess I should have done this years ago because if the D.O.T. ever stopped me I would be at his mercy. But even my 3000 pound straps are better than none that I see some people use around town.

 

[Dmace]

I see semis every day with big loads tied down with straps only.

When's the last time you saw a semi with an excavator, backhoe, dozer, tractor etc... tied down with straps?

 

[Qapla]

I use straps to tie down the loads of cardboard I haul (2000 - 3000 lbs a load) and it works fine.

However, I use chain for the tractor. Not only do I not have to worry about something cutting the strap, I don't have to worry that FDOT will give me a ticket. (Seems here in Florida they want you to use chain)

A friend of mine had his forklift tied with chain and straps. An officer saw his trailer and came and inspected. He was told that it was a good thing he had chains, since at first look the officer had only seen the straps. He was ready to issue a ticket until he saw the chains.

The other day I was stopped at a light and a semi pulled up next to me with a load of culverts - big metal ones.

He had blocks on them so they could not roll sideways. He had several straps on the load. He also had a chain/binder near the front, back and middle.

I have seen many rigs hauling heavy equipment and they always have chains - even if they also have straps.

 

[QRTRHRS]

From the FMCSA website if you can understand it. "Minimum Working Load Limit for Cargo Securement Devices and Systems
The aggregate working load limit of any securement system used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of: One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo; and The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over or around the cargo and then attaches to another anchor point on the vehicle."

I have said this over and over again, go to the site and read the "Educational Materials Cover Cargo Securment". The material will help you understand Subparts 393.100 through 393.136.

Anyone who has ever hauled rolls of paper in a box trailer should get a kick out of the ongoing chains vs straps comments. True, each have pluses and minuses and should be used accordingly with some cross over of applicability. There are some specifics in the regs such as for containers (latching devices or chains) and chains only for boulders and no straps for crushed cars. For most applications, the keyword is tiedowns.

For most occasional users on this forum, chains would probably be better if for no other reason than they would never wear out and would satisfy the average DOT cops scrutinizing.

Chains weigh alot more than straps do. All those little lbs add up. Straps are less likely to damage cargo, alot of which is like tying down eggshells yet must stay on a trailer. The load that you see strapped down rather than chained may be due to the backhaul that was available and not the normal load. If the main cargo is heavy equipment, straps would hardly be economically feasible.

 

[Qapla]

... Anyone who has ever hauled rolls of paper in a box trailer should get a kick out of the ongoing chains vs straps comments...

Do you mean rolls of paper as in the types of rolls that go into cash registers and gas pumps or the type that are used to print newspapers? (quite a difference in how they are packaged)

The large rolls of paper used in newspapers are hauled standing on end and fit fairly packed into the box trailer. They are loaded and unloaded with a clamp-truck type of fork-lift, therefore can be packed in better than a load that is hand-loaded.

There is no real comparison to loading, securing and hauling this type of load and transporting a tractor on an open flatbed.

The thing to remember, we are securing the load for the load to be secure. We are not trying to see how cheaply we can do it. We are not trying to see how fast we can do it. We are not trying to see how much weight we can save on the overall load.

We ARE trying to make sure the tractor stays on the trailer. So, whatever method you use, make sure it is tight and will stay put on your trailer. Make sure it is secure and will stay that way.

Now, if you want another "fun" discussion, start one about using "lever" type chain-binders as opposed to "ratchet-style" binders :thumbsup:

 

[radioman]

Do you mean rolls of paper as in the types of rolls that go into cash registers and gas pumps or the type that are used to print newspapers? (quite a difference in how they are packaged)

The large rolls of paper used in newspapers are hauled standing on end and fit fairly packed into the box trailer. They are loaded and unloaded with a clamp-truck type of fork-lift, therefore can be packed in better than a load that is hand-loaded.

There is no real comparison to loading, securing and hauling this type of load and transporting a tractor on an open flatbed.

or rolls of paper from papermill on way to flooring mill, or from same plant rolls of gasket paper or rolls of brake shoes. those rolls are huge and goes into a box trailer, no tie downs. just wedged in place. lol

Its funny I think about the straps vs chains. We tractor owners seem to like oveerkill (myself included ). I think the large truck drivers have more common sense along with trucking buddies to point them a better way of doing things.

It all boils down to common sense. many people cant seem to size things up with the eye and go with it. With newbies, its always about procedure how its tied down.

to answer kenny's question- as per DOT -its not a matter of % of capacity for said load. Its what if one strap or chains becomes loose, the other straps/chains MUST take over the added on unsecured load in an accident. keyword here is loosened strap/chains in accident.

 

[oldballs]

Well, what about ratchet type vz lever style chain binders??? I just bought a couple more lever style. Occassionally I do add bailing twine around the levers after they are set to make sure they don't pop open, although this has never happened. The chinese crap lever ones are about $18 vs the USA ratchet ones that I have are about $30.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Do you mean rolls of paper as in the types of rolls that go into cash registers and gas pumps or the type that are used to print newspapers? (quite a difference in how they are packaged)

The large rolls of paper used in newspapers are hauled standing on end and fit fairly packed into the box trailer. They are loaded and unloaded with a clamp-truck type of fork-lift, therefore can be packed in better than a load that is hand-loaded.

There is no real comparison to loading, securing and hauling this type of load and transporting a tractor on an open flatbed.

The thing to remember, we are securing the load for the load to be secure. We are not trying to see how cheaply we can do it. We are not trying to see how fast we can do it. We are not trying to see how much weight we can save on the overall load.

We ARE trying to make sure the tractor stays on the trailer. So, whatever method you use, make sure it is tight and will stay put on your trailer. Make sure it is secure and will stay that way.

Now, if you want another "fun" discussion, start one about using "lever" type chain-binders as opposed to "ratchet-style" binders :thumbsup:

I am talking about the big rolls standing on end with a friction strip underneath them. The ones that should something go south that will blow through a wall or roof and go wherever. As opposed to something secured on a flatbed that will generally ride out the storm. Yet the rolls are legal to go down the road like that. Heck, people would be amazed to see what goes down the road within those trailer walls with just a couple of pieces of dunnage nailed to the floor and a two inch strap or two hooked to the E channel.

I understand what you are saying about proper securing. My point is that there is always misinformation spread about the legality of straps. The focus should be more on when a strap is ready for the garbage can and how to use them to prevent chafing along with how many should be used and placed correctly.

FWIW, I drove some 12 years then went back to school and had a 20 year stint in electronics then went back to driving for another 5 years. I am back off the road again but I did enough to know how to keep things safe. I pulled ceder fencing out of Canada for three years (double stacked four by four by however long bundles), ~60 foot beams out of Bethlehem Steel, coils out of Sparrows Point, all kinds of building materials, heavy equipment, along with box and dump work. Nothing left along the road and no one hurt though I did have some minors admittingly.

Another recent thread spoke of tie down points, Get this:

"Unrated and Unmarked Anchor Points
FMCSA痴 cargo securement rules do not require rating and
marking of anchor points. While the agency encourages
manufacturers to rate and mark anchor points, the new
rules do not include a requirement for ratings and
markings."

So, you can use grade 70 chain but your anchor points don't necessarily have to be rated the same?

Oh' by the way, I like lever type binders, guess I must be an idiot, lol!

 

[farmboy12]

We use chain on most equipment, but we use straps on palleted items such as bagged mulch, and air conditioning units, and also on our antique John Deere B & MT. When we haul the two Deeres together, we cross the tricycle front ends, and put a stap pulling from the front of each tractor as well as the back of each tractor, and a shared one across the center of each frame.

No problems, except for once when we were picking the MT up and we were in Ohio, and were stopped and loosely asked to just go to the next stop and add some chains to it. He didn't follow up, but we still just put chains over the straps where they would have made contact with the fairly fresh restored paint.


Kyle

 

[Qapla]

I am talking about the big rolls standing on end with a friction strip underneath them. The ones that should something go south that will blow through a wall or roof and go wherever. As opposed to something secured on a flatbed that will generally ride out the storm. Yet the rolls are legal to go down the road like that. Heck, people would be amazed to see what goes down the road within those trailer walls with just a couple of pieces of dunnage nailed to the floor and a two inch strap or two hooked to the E channel.

I know just what you are talking about. My wife unloads those large rolls of paper everyday. I have seen what goes on inside many box trucks. Carpet is not secured at all. It is left to let gravity and friction hold it still inside the box.

If you have a "roll-on/off" dumpster type trailer and "dumpster", it is legal to carry your skid-steer inside the dumpster not tied to anything while the dumpster is tied with straps. If you carry that same skid-steer on a flatbed, it must be tied down.

My binders are also lever type. I usually wrap the excess chain around the handle to insure they cannot open ... though I have never had a properly closed binder open.

 

[not2old]

My binders are also lever type. I usually wrap the excess chain around the handle to insure they cannot open ... though I have never had a properly closed binder open.

I do the same thing, and then snap on a padlock to hold it there. Good chain, hooks and loadbinders aren't cheap to replace and of course if they go missing while you're parked at a resaurant while travellinmg the highway, they become priceless.