CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
Choose A Section:
Go!When securing paper rolls with eyes vertical in a sided vehicle all of the following are acceptable except:
- Placing the rolls against other cargo.
- Placing rolls against the doors.
- Placing the rolls against each other.
- Placing rolls against the front and walls of the vehicle.
- Place paper rolls together in a group so that the structure of the group can be maintained.
- Place paper rolls against:
- The front and walls of the vehicle
- Each other
- Other cargo
What is the minimum amount of rearward force that a cargo securement system must withstand?
- 20% of cargo weight
- 100% of cargo weight
- 80% of cargo weight
- 50% of cargo weight
Each cargo securement system must be able to withstand a minimum amount of force in each direction.
- Forward Force = 80% of cargo weight when braking while driving straight ahead.
- Rearward Force = 50% of cargo weight when accelerating, shifting gears while climbing a hill, or braking in reverse.
- Sideways Force = 50% of cargo weight when turning, changing lanes, or braking while turning.
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Upward Force = 20% of cargo weight when traveling over bumps in the road or cresting a hill.
- This requirement is satisfied when the cargo is "Fully Contained."
When calculating directional forces, 'g' is expressed as:
- The summation of the working load limits or restraining capacity of all devices used to secure an article on a vehicle.
- The maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.
- The acceleration due to gravity, 9.823 m/sec2 (32.2 ft/sec2). For cargo securement purposes it is expressed as a percentage of cargo weight, i.e. .5g is 50% of force of gravity or 50% of cargo weight.
- The maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.
g:
The acceleration due to gravity, 9.823 m/sec2 (32.2 ft/sec2). For cargo securement purposes it is expressed as a percentage of cargo weight, i.e. .5g is 50% of force of gravity or 50% of cargo weight.
Concrete pipe loaded crosswise generally:
- Concrete pipe with an inside diameter up to 1.143 m (45 in) can form a complete single tier on a typical flatbed vehicle. Larger pipe often can only be carried as a partial tier.
- Note: At least one tiedown through the front pipe of the bottom tier must run rearward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
- All of these things apply.
- At least one tiedown through the rear pipe of the bottom tier must run forward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
Special Circumstances: Securing Pipe with an Inside Diameter Up to 1.143 mm (45 in)
Concrete pipe with an inside diameter up to 1.143 m (45 in) can form a complete single tier on a typical flatbed vehicle. Larger pipe often can only be carried as a partial tier.
Note: This pipe diameter of 1.143 m (45 in) is simply a convenient breaking point between "medium" and "large" diameter pipe.
Note: At least one tiedown through the front pipe of the bottom tier must run rearward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
At least one tiedown through the rear pipe of the bottom tier must run forward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
A container chassis vehicle is defined as:
- A specialized container, primarily used to contain and transport materials in the waste, recycling, construction/demolition, and scrap industries, which are used in conjunction with specialized vehicles, in which the container isloaded and unloaded onto a tilt frame body by an articulating hook-arm.
- A vehicle especially built and fitted with locking devices for the transport of intermodal containers.
- A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against an article to prevent it from tipping that may also prevent it from shifting.
- A reusable, transportable enclosure that is especially designed with integral locking devices that secure it to a container chassis trailer to facilitate the efficient and bulk shipping and transfer of goods by, or between various modes of transport, such as highway, rail, sea, and air.
Container Chassis Vehicle:
A vehicle especially built and fitted with locking devices for the transport of intermodal containers.
What is the minimum weight of a load of metal coils that requires specific securement practices?
- 5,000 lbs
- 2,268 lbs
- 50,000 lbs
- It depends on the size of the coils.
Size of coil
All metal coil shipments that, individually or together, weigh 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) or more must be secured according to the specific requirements in this section.
Exception: Metal coils that weigh less than 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) may be secured according to general securement requirements.
The term 'edge protector' refers to:
- A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
- A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against an article to prevent it from tipping that may also prevent it from shifting.
- A device placed on the exposed edge of an article to distribute tiedown forces over a larger area of cargo than the tiedown itself, to protect the tie-down and/or cargo from damage, and to allow the tiedown to slide freely when being tensioned.
- A vertical barrier placed directly behind the cab of a tractor to protect the cab in the event cargo should shift forward.
Edge protector:
A device placed on the exposed edge of an article to distribute tiedown forces over a larger area of cargo than the tiedown itself, to protect the tie-down and/or cargo from damage, and to allow the tiedown to slide freely when being tensioned.
How many anchor points should be used to secure an intermodal container on a chassis vehicle?
- 2 latches in the front and 2 in the middle.
- 4 latches total, anywhere on the trailer.
- 2 latches in the middle, and 2 at the rear.
- 2 latches each at or near both the front and rear.
Secure the front and rear of the container independently.
- 2 latches on the chassis engage anchor points towards or at the front of the container.
- 2 latches on the chassis engage anchor points towards or at the rear of the container.
Securing heavy vehicles or equipment with crawler tracks or wheel requires a minimum of how many tiedowns?
- 2
- 6
- It depends on the weight of the load
- 4
Special Circumstances: Securing Heavy Vehicles, Equipment, or Machinery with Crawler Tracks or Wheels
Tiedown requirements
- Restrain cargo using a minimum of four tiedowns, each having a WLL of at least 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.).
- Prevents cargo movement in the side-to-side, forward, rearward, and vertical directions.
-
Attach tiedowns:
- Either at the front and rear of the vehicle.
- Or at the mounting points on the vehicle designed for that purpose.
Aggregate Working Load Limit is defined as:
- The summation of the working load limits or restraining capacity of all devices used to secure an article on a vehicle.
- The maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.
- The maximum weight of a load of rocks that a securement device can withstand.
- A combination of securing devices which form an assembly that attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on, a vehicle or trailer, and is attached to anchor point(s).
Aggregate Working Load Limit:
The summation of the working load limits or restraining capacity of all devices used to secure an article on a vehicle.
About The Flatbed Cargo Securement CDL Manual
Studying the flatbed cargo securement CDL manual is not a requirement for getting your CDL permit or license. It is required knowledge for flatbed drivers.
Some questions you should be able to answer for flatbed cargo securement:
- What is the minimum Working Load Limit of a tiedown used to secure logs?
- What is the minimum weight of a shipment of paper rolls that would require specific securement requirements?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the front half of the load run?
- What is a cab shield?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the rear half of the load run?
- What is a dunnage bag?
- Who is responsible for inspecting securing devices and cargo within the first 50 miles?
- How many tiedowns are required on a stack of shortwood loaded crosswise?
- What is the minimum working load limit of each tiedown used to secure crushed or flattened vehicles?
- Define 'bolster'
- What is a hook-lift container?
- When a tiedown is attached directly to the cargo, what is the ideal angle where it attached to the vehicle?
What is a securing device?
Any device specifically manufactured to attach or secure cargo to a vehicle or trailer:
- Synthetic Webbing
- Chain
- Wire rope
- Manila rope
- Synthetic rope
- Steel strapping
- Clamps and latches
- Blocking
- Front-end structure
- Grab hooks
- Binders
- Shackles
- Winches
- Stake pockets
- D-rings
- Webbing ratchet
- Bracing
- Friction mat
What is a tiedown?
A combination of securing devices that forms an assembly that:
- Attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on a vehicle.
- Is attached to anchor point(s).
Some tiedowns are attached to the cargo and provide direct resistance to restrain the cargo from movement.
Some tie-downs pass over or through the cargo. They create a downward force that increases the effect of friction between the cargo and the deck. This friction restrains the cargo.
Related Cargo Securement Terms That Every Driver Should Know:
-
Tiedown:
A combination of securing devices which form an assembly that attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on, a vehicle or trailer, and is attached to anchor point(s).
-
Contained:
Cargo is contained if it fills a sided vehicle, and every article is in contact with or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip if those other articles are also unable to shift or tip.
-
Blocking:
A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
How should tiedowns be attached?
Tiedowns can be used in two ways:
-
Attached to the cargo:
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle and attached to the cargo.
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, pass through or aroundan article of cargo, and then are attached to the vehicle again.
-
Pass over the cargo:
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, passed over the cargo, and then attached to the vehicle again.
Tiedown placement:
Place the tiedown as close as possible to the spacer.
Position the tiedowns as symetrically as possible over the length of the article.
Position the tiedowns to preserve the integrity of the article.
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