Joe explains how to properly secure a plate steel load using X chains, straps and edge protectors. To learn more about Western Express, visit us at bit.ly/3Q5j6EP
Hello Joe. I went thru class there in 2014 my first trucking job. Wound up staying there a couple years, before moving to another company. Now...Ive been trucking between 8 and 9 yrs, the last 4 or so have been reefer. Now lately, I coming back over to flatbed again, and stumbled upon your training video. Awesome.
Reminder: Always sight down your chains and make sure there are no twists. Twisted chains don't tighten up well. And when they do, you will get twisted links because they are not meant for torsional (twisting) forces.
Do you see where the slack is in the middle where the binder is? Loop that under the binder on both sides where it is bound on the plates. That does two things: 1. allows the binder to freely move when tightening. 2. keeps your slack tight.
Pay attention to where your straps will be. Do NOT locate them over your tires. And use them sparingly if at all over your drive wheels especially. The fifth wheel can pivot in ways you didn't think of when you're turning on a hill or a dip. And the winches will gouge the sh*t out of your tires if you're lucky or pop them outright.
I was told in California that having a strap outside of the run rail is illegal, because if you get side swiped the straps get torn off. I was given a warning ticket and made to change my straps. Around rub rail is a bad idea in California.
Yeah, where I work, they teach us to put it under the rub rail. With the exception of some older trailers, most have a rail at the bottom to hook the straps on. Those said older ones, you have no choice but to secure them on the rub-rail.
Should have told cop to show you regulation. That is no longer a rule and hasn’t been for quite a few years. Also most manufacturers give the rib rail a securement value.
Where in ca did you get a warning for putting your securing devices on rubrail. It's legal to put your chains and straps on rubrails. DOT and federal regulations. Been running in ca for 20 years no issue with DOTs.
Man I miss flatbeddin. I was spoiled. I drove a 13 speed 379 exh w/500 hp CAT48 Spread axle trailer with a dump valve. 2 million accident free miles. Got bumps n bruises tho. I broke the nub off a winch bar in a ratchet once too. Defective nub on it I guess. Unstrapping 60 laminated beams in L.A. Forklift driver bumped the load on the other side. 4000 lb beam clunk... I heard it, stepped back and boom. Hit my shoulder and arm. Like getting blind side hit in football. I wouldn't be typing this if I didn't hear that clunk. Mexican forklift driver says... Are Ju okayeee? smfh. Safety vest, eye wear, hard hat and situational awareness. Drive safe. Good Luck n Good Truckin.
this days most drivers just do straps many companies dont want to use chains no more I often got told dont you will damage material even dealing with pipe coated steel
@@Invictus13666 you have no clue what you talking about. I dare you to say and do that same thing you just said in front of DOT. You gone wish you had listened.
@@Hi-LoFlippa704 I do have a clue. I’ve heard it from the DOT and from 30+year flatbedders. There are trailer manufacturers that tell you not to do it with their equipment-so don’t-but as long as you’re not doing it for securement it’s fine. I’m sorry you’re so threatened by this. PS, consider how many WE trucks there are...if DOT had an issue with this, their head of securement training wouldnt be teaching it.
I never hook straps the the side rail, reason if you slide against something or something hits side of the trailer it want rip your straps off as you know high tension strap doesn’t take much to rip it
When I was at western I went to flatbed my training was 3-4 days no hands on all videos and a hand book ,,, I’ll just say I didn’t last a week my last load was manhole cover’s had no idea what to do with um
thank you for great video. I have a question, for the dunnage pieces under and between first and 2nd row of sheets, How do you decide where to put them and how many you need ? do you just put many of them randomly or what exactly ?
Using the spools is better, because they are fully welded to the deck. Stake pockets are usually only welded the outside, making them easier to crush or tear off.
Can't believe you used the stake pocket to tear drop🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾 and your hooking your straps to the rub rail🤦🏾🤦🏾 definitely not the right way! It's named a rub rail for a reason 🤔 if anything rubs up against them straps on that rail guess what, broken 🚫🚫