CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
Choose A Section:
Go!What is the presumed resistance to horizontal movement of friction mats?
- 100% of cargo weight.
- 20% of cargo weight.
- 50% of cargo weight.
- 0
Note: Friction mats, which are not marked by the manufacturer, are assumed to provide a resistance to horizontal movement equal to 50% of the cargo weight that is resting on the mat.
As part of their pre-trip cargo securement inspection, drivers should:
- All of these apply.
- Check for anything that will obscure their vision.
- Make sure cargo is properly secured.
- Inform carrier of any inadequate packaging.
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.
In what circumstance can shortwood be treated as longwood?
- Right after it is cut down.
- When it is embedded in a stack of longwood.
- When it is painted green on the ends.
- When it is stacked long-ways on the trailer.
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.
Requirements for securing two stacks of shortwood loaded side-by-side include:
- The highest log is no more than 8 ft above the deck.
- There is no space between the stacks of logs.
- At least one tiedown is used lengthwise across each stack.
- All of these are required.
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.
To secure paper rolls with eyes horizontal against rearward movement, you can use which of the following except:
- The vehicle wall.
- Blocking.
- Friction mats.
- Other cargo.
Direction of Potential Movement: Rearward
Methods to Prevent Movement:
- Other cargo
- Blocking
- Fiction mats
- Tiedowns
How many knots are acceptable in a properly working tiedown?
- 2
- 0
- 1
- 3
All components of a tiedown must be in proper working order.
- No knots or obvious damage
- No distress
- No weakened parts
- No weakened sections
What is the minimum WLL required of tiedowns securing loaded intermodal containers on non-chassis vehicles?
- 50% of the loaded weight of the container.
- 80% of the loaded weight of the container.
- 20% of the loaded weight of the container.
- It depends on the length of the container.
Secure each container to the vehicle by:
- Either chains, wire ropes, or integral devices that are fixed to all lower corners.
- Or crossed chains that are fixed to all upper corners.
- Or both.
Secure the front and rear of the loaded container independently.
Secure the four corners using tiedowns that are attached to the loaded container.
The tiedowns must have an aggregate working load limit of at least 50% of the loaded weight of the loaded container.
Attach each chain, wire rope, or integral locking device to the container in a manner that prevents it from becoming unfastened while in transit.
When securing paper rolls with eyes vertical in a sided vehicle all of the following are acceptable except:
- Placing rolls against the front and walls of the vehicle.
- Placing rolls against the doors.
- Placing the rolls against each other.
- Placing the rolls against other cargo.
- 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 a headboard?
- A vertical barrier across the front of the deck of a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
- A vertical barrier across a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
- A vertical barrier placed directly behind the cab of a tractor to protect the cab in the event cargo should shift forward.
- A transverse load bearing structural component, particularly a part of a log bunk.
Headboard:
A vertical barrier across the front of the deck of a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
Which of the following is not an acceptable method of containing loose parts when securing flattened or crushed vehicles?
- Suitable covering material.
- Structural walls.
- Wedge them in between the flattened cars.
- Sideboards or sides.
Containing Loose Parts
Use a containment system that:
- Prevents loose parts from falling from all four sides of the vehicle AND
- Extends to the full height of the cargo.
The containment system can consist of one or a combination of the following methods.
- Structural walls.
- Sides or sideboards.
- Suitable covering material.
The use of synthetic material for containment of loose parts is permitted.
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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