CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
Choose A Section:
Go!Specific cargo securement rules on automobiles and light trucks apply to vehicles of what weight?
- It depends on what the vehicle is used for.
- 12,000 lbs or less
- 4,500 lbs or less
- 10,000 lbs or less
What Does This Section Cover?
The requirements in this section apply to the transportation of automobiles, light trucks, and vans that individually weigh 4500 kg (10,000 lb.) or less.
Aggregate Working Load Limit is defined as:
- 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 summation of the working load limits or restraining capacity of all devices used to secure an article on a vehicle.
- 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).
- The maximum weight of a load of rocks that a securement device can withstand.
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.
What is the minimum number of tiedowns to use on a load 4ft 7in long, and weighing 1,237 lbs?
- 2
- 4
- 1
- 3
-
If load is 5ft or shorter, 1,100 lbs or lighter:
Minimum number of tiedowns: 1
-
If load is 5ft or shorter, over 1,100 lbs:
Minimum number of tiedowns: 2
-
If load is more than 5ft but less than 10ft:
Minimum number of tiedowns: 2
When securing a non-cubic boulder with an unstable base, the four surrounding chains must have a WLL of at least:
- 11,000 lbs
- 50% the weight of the boulder
- 25% the weight of the boulder
- 5,000 lbs
Special Circumstances: Securing a Non-Cubic Shaped Boulder with an Unstable Base
The securement of a non-cubic shaped boulder with an unstable base must meet these requirements in addition to the other large boulder requirements in Section 13.
Surround the top of each boulder at a point between 1/2 and 2/3 of its height with one chain.
The WLL of the chain must be at least 50% of the weight of the boulder.
Attach four chains to the surrounding chain and the vehicle to form a blocking mechanism that prevents any horizontal movement.
Each chain must have a WLL of at least 25% the weight of the boulder, and the angle of the chain must be less than 45° from the horizontal.
Within the requirements for concrete pipe, which of these requires specific securement methods?
- Concrete pipe loaded in a sided vehicle or container.
- Concrete pipe loaded cross-wise on a flatbed trailer.
- Concrete pipe eyes vertical and concrete pipe loaded lengthwise.
- Concrete pipe that is grouped together into a single rigid article and may not roll.
What is exempt from these specific requirements?
Follow general cargo securement requirements (Section 2) when transporting the following pipe:
- Concrete pipe that is grouped together into a single rigid article and may not roll.
- Concrete pipe loaded in a sided vehicle or container.
- Concrete pipe eyes vertical and concrete pipe loaded lengthwise.
What is covered under these specific requirements?
Any concrete pipe loaded crosswise on a platform trailer or vehicle that is not exempt.
How many tiedowns are required on a stack of shortwood loaded crosswise?
- It depends on the weight
- 3
- 1
- 2
Tiedowns requirements
Use two tiedowns to secure one stack of shortwood loaded crosswise.
Attach the tiedowns to the vehicle frame at the front and rear of the load.
Position tiedowns approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the length of the logs.
What is the minimum WLL required of tiedowns securing loaded intermodal containers on non-chassis vehicles?
- 80% of the loaded weight of the container.
- 50% 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.
What is the minimum securement requirement for paper rolls with eyes vertical with a width between 1.25 and 1.76 its diameter?
- Friction mats alone.
- Tiedowns.
- All of these are required.
- Banding them together.
Situation #4
- A paper roll or the forwardmost roll(s) in a group of paper rolls is not prevented from tipping or falling forward by vehicle structure or other cargo.
- Paper roll width is more than 1.25 times and less than 1.76 times its diameter.
- Only friction mats are used for forward securement.
Solution #4:
The friction mat alone is adequate. The friction mat allows the roll to slide on the floor without tripping the roll.
A chock is defined as:
- A short piece of material, usually wood, nailed to the deck to reinforce blocking.
- A tapered or wedge-shaped piece used to secure round articles against rolling.
- A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
- A crosswise load bearing structural component, particularly a part of a log bunk.
Chock:
A tapered or wedge-shaped piece used to secure round articles against rolling.
Securing heavy vehicles or equipment with crawler tracks or wheel requires a minimum of how many tiedowns?
- It depends on the weight of the load
- 2
- 4
- 6
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.
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.
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook