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Driver's Handbook on Cargo Securement - Chapter 2: General Cargo Securement Requirements

General Cargo Securement Requirements

Components of a Securement System - Continued

For articles of cargo placed beside each other and secured by side-to-side tiedowns:

Either place them in direct contact with each other,

Or prevent them from shifting towards each other in transit by using blocking or filling the space with other cargo.

Some articles have a tendency to roll. To prevent rolling, provide more than one point of contact:

Lift the cargo off the deck AND/OR

Place chockes, wedges, a cradle, or other equivalent means that prevent rolling. These must be secured to the deck.

The method used to prevent rolling must not become unfastened or loose while the vehicle is in transit.

Prevent tipping or shifting by bracing the cargo.

Immobilizing, and Securing Cargo: Restraining the cargo correctly.

How many tiedowns are required?

If cargo is not prevented from forward movement (for example, by the headboard, bulkhead , other cargo, or tiedown attached to the cargo), secure the cargo according to the following requirements:

  • 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 cargo is prevented from forward movement (for example, by the headboard, bulkhead , other cargo, or tiedown), secure the cargo according to the following requirements:

All Cargo:

1 tiedown for every 10 ft, or part thereof.

Note: A vehicle transporting one or more articles of cargo such as, but not limited to, machinery or fabricated structural items (e.g., steel or concrete beams, crane booms, girders, and trusses, etc.) which, because of their design, size, shape, or weight, must be fastened by special methods.

However, any article of cargo carried on that vehicle must be securely and adequately fastened to the vehicle.

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.

Related Cargo Securement Terms That Every Driver Should Know:

  • Rub Rail:

    A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.

  • Bracing:

    A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against an article to prevent it from tipping that may also prevent it from shifting.

  • Working Load Limit (WLL):

    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.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Bulkhead:

A strong wall-like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer (or on the rear of the tractor) used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front-end collision. May also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer (also called a baffle for liquid trailers) used to partition the load.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...

Working Load Limit (WLL)is defined as:
  • The number of hours that a tiedown can be used.
  • 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).

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Working Load Limit (WLL):

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.

Next
When using tiedowns for securing cargo, what is the general rule regarding cargo length.
  • 1 tiedown for every 5 ft, or part thereof.
  • 2 tiedowns for every 10 ft, or part thereof.
  • 1 tiedown for every 10 ft, or part thereof.
  • 1 tiedown for every 15 ft, or part thereof.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

When cargo is prevented from forward movement (for example, by the headboard, bulkhead, other cargo, or tiedown), secure the cargo according to the following requirements:

All Cargo:

1 tiedown for every 10 ft, or part thereof.

Prev
Next
What is a rub rail?
  • A platform or tray on which cargo is placed so that it can be handled as an article. (Same as "Skid")
  • A device placed between the deck of a vehicle and car or between articles of cargo, intended to provide greater friction than exists naturally between these surfaces.
  • A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
  • A strip of material that may be used to unitize articles and is tensioned and clamped or crimped back upon itself. (same as "Strapping")

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Rub Rail:

A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.

Prev
Next
Which of the following is not a method of securing side-by-side cargo?
  • Make sure it is leaning forward.
  • Use some kind of blocking to prevent shifting.
  • Place them in direct contact with each other.
  • Fill the empty space between with other cargo.

Quote From The CDL Manual:

For articles of cargo placed beside each other and secured by side-to-side tiedowns:

Either place them in direct contact with each other,

Or prevent them from shifting towards each other in transit by using blocking or filling the space with other cargo.

Prev
Next
What is the minimum number of tiedowns to use on a load 4ft 7in long, and weighing 1,237 lbs?
  • 4
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Quote From The CDL Manual:

  • 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

Prev
Finish
Please select an option
[3,3,3,1,3]
5

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