RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
- Messages
- 15,143
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
The intent of the law is that the chains, or straps, have to be able to be tightened by the operator. It does not say that they must be able to be tightened individually. Binders front or rear does not matter. If the fail, they fail. Since they are rated as grade 70 then they should have the same strength. No law that I have been able to find says each chain or whatever, has to have a binder, just that they have to be able to be tightened. I don't want the tractor to fall off the trailer backwards. That will probably kill some one. If it moves forward, it is going to come up to the bulkhead of the trailer or the back of the truck. Not a great situation but better than falling off the back of the trailer. And, that will only happen in the case of a stop. It seems clear to me that having binders on all four chains is just a myth that cannot be substantiated by any reference to law, just opinion. I am going to load up the tractor on the trailer and haul it down nearest DOT enforcement office and show it to them. I will report their findings pro or con.
Maybe their "findings" will be in writing. You should have done that to begin with, rather than argue with a bunch of lay people here. Fact of the matter is, if you get a professional opinion this week, and another next week, they probably will differ within the same jurisdiction. That's why reasonable and prudent folks try to err on the side of caution rather than nitpick the guys with the badges and gavels.