Ratcheting tie downs BROKE in transit!

Boomerang1 · Mar 31, 2005

RobertN Sorry for the implication, but I called my myself a dumb truck driver, inside truck driver joke. I've had inspections at weigh stations in Ca. many years ago and never had any problems. I've pulled hazardous chemical tankers for years now, so I deal with a whole new set of problems. I called a weigh station in CA. and asked some detailed questions. They said in CA. you do need one chain or strap on each corner. If one breaks you still have three holding. This is for privite vehicles also. Makes good sense. So, if you live in CA., use four chains. We all want to be safe and legal.

John861 · Mar 31, 2005

I agree that the most important tie-downs are at the back of the trailer. If I have to stop quickly, the tractor ought to stop too. Here's another sobering report from another list. The trailered equipment in this case was a Unimog 404 (6-7000 lb truck), but the same theory applies.

-John


Moggers:

The last time I ran a test on how best to tie down a mog I did this:

I placed a single chain on all four corners of the mogs frame. I then placed a 12,000lb strap on each side of the frame pulling the frame down.

I then proceeded to run into the back of a stopped semi we were going about 40mph. Totaled the new one ton Ford powerstroke. The 8000lb gooseneck came through the back of the Ford's cab. The popup camper on the gooseneck got mashed against the front of the gooseneck. The 404 on the back of the gooseneck held. We drove if off the trailer and used it to get home.

The above is how I recommend attaching a mog to a trailer.

Just another scientific test for the betterment of the mog community.

RobertN · Mar 31, 2005

I'm still confused about crossing state lines. What would be the implication of you, as an interstate CDL hauling a flatbed with Kubota's and John Deers and Massey's? If you loaded and hauled those from Arizona, based on the Fed-DOT rules, and got inspected in Calif for whatever reason, which rules superceed? Do Fed-DOT rules superceed state-DOT rules when travleling or hauling interstate?

Interestingly, CHP said the loader has to be restrained if it will raise above 12'. Aparently, they had people moving equipment and leaving it running. The loader handle would jostle, and the loader would raise and hit power lines, over passes, ect. These guys just had to move a couple miles and didn;t feel it necessary to shut the motor down and restart. So they said...

I miss big machinery. I got to drive Fire Engines and Water tenders for a while. Our tender was 2800gal, with all the fire equipment added to the weight. It had a 350hp Detroit 2-stroke with a road ranger 10spd. It was fun to drive. The newest engine I got to drive had a 350hp 8.9L Cummins with an Allison behind it. Liked the pull on that Cummins...

edski · Apr 1, 2005

Fed regs are usually a minimum and states are free to set more stringent standards. However, should a states's more stringent standard impede interstate commerce, the Feds will supercede. Bottom line, buy more chain and binders.

FWIW, Pa inacted similar regs this January...4 corners, 4 chains, 4 binders.

Dargo · Apr 1, 2005

( FWIW, Pa inacted similar regs this January...4 corners, 4 chains, 4 binders. )

Wow, 4 binders!? I can see the logic in 4 chains, but not with the 4 binders. I now hook the front chains, back up to make them as tight as I can pull them, set the parking brake while in 4X4, then attach and ratchet down the two chains I use in the rear. Using 2 extra binders just seems to be a PIA to be honest. I guess I'm missing the logical reasoning for them. I'm not saying that I don't believe you, I just don't see the logic. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

RobertN · Apr 1, 2005

Here's my opinion, fwiw.

Lets say you set two chains on the front, and back the tractor till thier tight. Then you set chains and binders on the back corners.

One front chain will be tight. The other, depending on how the links are twisted, the hook is set, minor difference in exact placement of hook point on tractor ect. One chain will be looser than the other. It may be noticiable, or may be marginally looser.

I think thier intent is that you can take all possible slack off each connect point if you use binders. In my expierience, I'm always off by half a link with cam-over binders... Ratchet binders may actually let you get equal tension.

I leave mine in neutral, brake off when I set the binders. Then I set the brakes, and place it in gear(don't think it helps with HST, but anyways...).

Again, imho, fwiw...

Boomerang1 · Apr 3, 2005

If I crossed from AZ. into CA., with only two chains and got stopped by CHP, they would shut me down until I could rectify the problem. Also they could give me a citation if they wanted. Even though I was legal when I was in AZ., it doesn't matter. I almost got fined in NY. once because of ice build up on my tractor trailer. The ice made me 800 lbs over gross. The weighmaster told me I could chip off the ice or get fined. I spent two hours chipping. Even though I was legal at 80,000 lbs. before the ice, they didn't care.

LBrown59 · Apr 3, 2005

they could give me a citation if they wanted. Even though I was legal when I was in AZ.,
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This is not right : If it's legal in the home state it should be good in all states.

Darren · Apr 3, 2005

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Even with the federal regulations, states have options. A contractor I know that does horizontal drilling bought a new trailer out of state to haul the drill and other equipment. While most of his work is out of state he found out when he returned to WV that the truck and trailer combination length was illegal in WV.

Truckers with loads requiring permits have access to services that will arrange for the permits and deal with the different state laws. The kicker is that more often than not, the enforcement officers that I've dealt with didn't know some of the laws themselves. If you think you may have a problem, you need to find out the facts and have them at hand before you start on an interstate trip. In the past I've called weigh stations in other states and when the info seemed bogus, I've called the state agency that deals with the law.

Even in those instances you may not get a clear answer.

Boomerang1 · Apr 3, 2005

( they could give me a citation if they wanted. Even though I was legal when I was in AZ.,
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This is not right : If it's legal in the home state it should be good in all states. ) LBrown59, I am sorry, but you are not correct. I would most definitely get a citation for not being legal in the state I am traveling. Another example...If I had a 53' trailer behind my tractor, I could slide the trailer tandems all the way back to achieve a legal axle limit. This would give me more than 40' from king pin to trailer tandems, which is legal in AZ. In CA. the law is 40' or shorter from king pin to trailer tandems. I would have to slide the tandems before entering into CA. If this put me over axle on the trailer I could get an over axle citation. 34,000 lb limit or 40,000 lbs on a spread axle. Ca. would rather see a longer spread than over weight axles, so they usually won't bother drivers. If you don't believe me, please call for yourself. Enough about trucks! This is a tractor forum.