Proper securing of tractor while trailering

[hrcarver]

I thought bare minimum was 4 chains on the corners?

 

[bigtiller]

I thought bare minimum was 4 chains on the corners?

I am with you on tying all 4 corners down but I don't think chain is necessary with a 1500 pound lawn mower.

I don't think 1 inch straps are nearly enough either. But with slow short trips and a lot of luck a person MAY get lucky and be okay at the end of the trip. I used the small straps for too long before I finally quit relying on my luck and started using the 10,000 bursting strength straps.

 

[Ken45101]

The Federal requirements for commercial interstate tie downs can be read at
Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Although it does not legally apply to non commercial use, it is a good guideline.

BTW, 2" nylon straps have a working load limit (WLL) of 2000 pounds. 4" straps are rated at 4000#.

For vehicles under 10,000 pounds:

Automobiles, light trucks, and vans must be restrained at both the front and rear to prevent lateral, forward, rearward, and vertical movement using a minimum of two tiedowns.

I take that to mean two ties downs at the front and two at the rear.

As for the rating of the tie downs:

Issue 4: & sect;393.106(d) - Determining the aggregate working load limits for tiedowns.

Agency Policy: The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of:

1. 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
2. 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.

Ken

 

[bigtiller]

BTW, 2" nylon straps have a working load limit (WLL) of 2000 pounds. 4" straps are rated at 4000#.
Ken

That may be a good rule in general but my 2 inch straps have a tag that says 3300 pound working load limit. That is probably what the DOT will be looking for if I ever get stopped.

 

[Ken45101]

That may be a good rule in general but my 2 inch straps have a tag that says 3300 pound working load limit. That is probably what the DOT will be looking for if I ever get stopped.

Well, as long as they are marked "working load limit", that's good. But many are marketed as 5,000# or some such number but that's that breaking strength, NOT the WLL. That's a very critical difference!

As for DOT, you probably are not under their jurisdiction if you are not commercial (it may vary state to state.)

Ken

 

[derek01]

When my Tractor was delivered I noticed the driver had 2straps on the front and 2 straps on the back I asked why and he replied when hauling over the road DOT requires 4 straps total 2 front and 2 rear and he had been ticketed for only using 1 front and 1 back. Since then I have been using 4 straps as he said all 3000#. better to be over done then under.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For me personally I use my 4 6' car tie down straps rated at 10,000# each with a Safe Work Load of 3,333#.

I also have 4 of the 27' straps listed above.

For over 10,000# I use chains and boomers.

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

The Federal requirements for commercial interstate tie downs can be read at
Cargo Securement Rules - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Although it does not legally apply to non commercial use, it is a good guideline.

Ken

One could argue over your statement, "Although it does not legally apply to non commercial use, it is a good guideline."

Were you to have an accident, there would be no arguement. You would likely be charged with not having a properly secured load.

 

[whodat526]

just throw a rope across it and go

but really u should atleast put two chains on the tractor and if it has a loader and a bushhog put one on each of them and if going long distances used a chain on every corner crossing them with the front chains pulling backwards and the back chains pulling forward

 

[whodat526]

and it is all in what you are hauling as to the minimum of tie downs you need if hauling something trailer lenght you must have one every 8ft and if not trailer lenght must have two per item you are hauling