CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
Choose A Section:
Go!When securing concrete pipe with a diameter of more than 45 inches loaded crosswise, how many tiedowns are required through each pipe at minimum?
- 3
- It depends on the weight of the pipe.
- 2
- 1
Requirements for securing the pipe
Secure each pipe with tiedowns through the pipe.
Run at least one tiedown through each pipe in the front half of the load. This includes the middle one if there are an odd number. The tiedown must run rearward at an angle not more than 45° with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, whenever practicable.
Run at least one tiedown through each pipe in the rear half of the load. The tiedown must run forward at an angle not more than 45° with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, whenever practicable. This holds each pipe firmly in contact with adjacent pipe.
If the cargo is fully contained in a sided vehicle, what is the minimum requirement for withstanding sideways force?
- 0.7g (70% of cargo weight)
- 0.5g (50% of cargo weight)
- 0.8g (80% of cargo weight)
- 0.2g (20% of cargo weight)
Note: If the cargo is contained in a sided vehicle, the vehicle structure MUST be strong enough to withstand the forces described earlier.
- Forward force: 0.8 g (80%)
- Rearward force: 0.5.g (50%)
- Sideways force: 0.5 g (50%)
What types of freight need to be secured properly?
- Hazardous materials.
- All freight should always be properly secured while driving.
- Intermodal containers.
- Equipment used for vehicle operation.
-
Any cargo and dangerous goods/hazardous materials, including:
- All general freight.
- All equipment carried for vehicle operation.
- Intermodal containers and their contents.
- Some specific commodities have additional or different securement requirements (see later sections of this Handbook).
- Additional requirements under separate regulations may also apply for transportation of certain types of dangerous goods or hazardous materials.
Cargo
As part of their pre-trip cargo securement inspection, drivers should:
- Check for anything that will obscure their vision.
- Inform carrier of any inadequate packaging.
- Make sure cargo is properly secured.
- All of these apply.
Driver inspection checklist:
Pre-Trip
- Make sure that cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured (in other words, according to the Standard).
- Make sure that all securement equipment and vehicle structures are in good working order and used consistent with their capability.
- Stow vehicle equipment.
- Make sure that nothing obscures front and side views or interferes with the ability to drive the vehicle or respond in an emergency.
-
Inform carrier if packaging is not adequate. For example:
- Banding is loose or not symmetrical on package.
- Banding attachment device(s) are inefficient.
- Wrapping is broken or ineffective.
- Pallets are broken.
Requirements for securing two stacks of shortwood loaded side-by-side include:
- There is no space between the stacks of logs.
- The highest log is no more than 8 ft above the deck.
- All of these are required.
- At least one tiedown is used lengthwise across each stack.
Additional requirements securement for two stacks side-by-side
In addition to the requirements for shortwood loaded crosswise, load two stacks side-by-side so that:
- There is no space between the stacks of logs.
- The outside of each stack is raised at least 2.5 cm (1 in) within 10 cm (4 in) of the end of the logs or from the side of the vehicle.
- The highest log is no more than 2.44 m (8 ft) above the deck.
- At least one tiedown is used lengthwise across each stack.
When securing metal coils, it is acceptable to use nailed blocking or cleats as the sole means to secure:
- Nailed wood cradles
- Chocks
- It is not acceptable.
- Timbers
The use of nailed blocking or cleats as the sole means to secure timbers, chocks or wedges, or a nailed wood cradle, is prohibited.
What is the Aggregate WLL of the securement system for a load secured with 7 tiedowns: 3 rated at WLL of 4,000 lbs, 2 at 6,500, and 1 at 8,000?
- 10,000 lbs
- 16,500 lbs
- 8,250 lbs
- 33,000 lbs
How do you calculate Aggregate Working Load Limit for tiedowns?
To calculate Aggregate Working Load limit, add together:
- 50% of the WLL of each end section of a tiedown that is attached to an anchor point.
- 50% of the WLL of each end section that is attached to the cargo
When loading bell pipe on one tier, all of the following apply except:
- If possible, the ends of consecutive pipe must be staggered within the allowable width.
- Load bell pipe on one tier so that the bells alternate on opposite sides of the vehicle.
- Load bell pipe on one tier so that the bells all lie on one side of the vehicle.
- If the ends cannot be staggered, they must be aligned.
One tier
Load bell pipe on one tier so that the bells alternate on opposite sides of the vehicle.
If possible, the ends of consecutive pipe must be staggered within the allowable width.
If the ends cannot be staggered, they must be aligned.
While driving, the freight must not:
- Prevent the exit of a person from the cab.
- Interfere with the free movement of the driver's arms or legs.
- Obscure the driver's view ahead, left, or right.
- All of these things should be avoided.
- Obscure the driver's view ahead or to the right or left sides (except for drivers of self-steer dollies).
- Interfere with the free movement of the driver's arms or legs.
- Prevent the driver's free and ready access to accessories required for emergencies. OR
- Prevent the free and ready exit of any person from the commercial motor vehicle's cab or driver's compartment.
In what circumstance can shortwood be treated as longwood?
- When it is stacked long-ways on the trailer.
- When it is embedded in a stack of longwood.
- When it is painted green on the ends.
- Right after it is cut down.
What's in a stack?
Some stacks may be made up of both shortwood and longwood. Any stack that includes shortwood must follow the shortwood securement requirements.
Exception: If shortwood is embedded in load of longwood, it can be treated as longwood.
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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