Securement Of Cargo Question

So if you are in the middle of the highway and its been 150miles or 3 hours, if there is no shoulder parking on the road where you are at, can you just stop in the middle of the road and start checking your cargo there? I was curious because wouldn't you get a violation ticket from a cop if the last time you checked the cargo went more than 3 hours or 150 miles ago? Can you do that?

You're taking a legalistic approach to trucking, instead of a common sense approach.

No you can't stop in the middle of the road to check your load. That's stupid. The rules don't say you must drive exactly 150 miles and then check your load wherever you are. If you plan your trip like you're supposed to, and you know there's a rest area 125 miles away from where you are getting loaded, then stop at the rest area and check your load. It's simple common sense.

I don't know what to say...

Common sense is one of the most important attributes a truck driver can have, in the top three, arguably number 1.

Combine that premise with situational awareness and I think you can answer your question.

Give it your best shot. What do you think? Operative word in the question is "think". Go for it...

Not to beat a dead horse, but gesh common sense should prevail.

I don't know what to say...

Common sense is one of the most important attributes a truck driver can have, in the top three, arguably number 1.

Combine that premise with situational awareness and I think you can answer your question.

Give it your best shot. What do you think? Operative word in the question is "think". Go for it...

True, but coming from a non trucker viewpoint and seeing all the guidelines that truckers have to do and follow the laws and recently reading Brett's interesting trucking biography, im curious to know.

Ballpark it. You will learn what loads you need to babysit and which ones you dont.

For example.. rolled roofing I will stop at or before 150 miles and get the bar out fully prepared to tighten straps.

Eye to the sky coils I may stop a bit after 150 and check the straps by hand fully expecting them to still be tight.

Load check/tire check usually consists of a visual inspection with hands on strap or chain. It takes a minute and usually coincides with a bathroom break and fuel stop. It works for me but I'm sure others do it their own way.

Common Sense and Situational Awareness will provide you an answer... it's totally unacceptable and flat-out dangerous to purposely park a truck in the middle of a public thoroughfare. Would you do that with your personal vehicle?

Checking the load? I'll defer to Chris and JuiceBox because they are flatbedders.

Common Sense and Situational Awareness will provide you an answer... it's totally unacceptable and flat-out dangerous to purposely park a truck in the middle of a public thoroughfare. Would you do that with your personal vehicle?

Checking the load? I'll defer to Chris and JuiceBox because they are flatbedders.

Interesting.... and yesIhave stoppedmy own personal vehicle in the middleofthe road before.

Ballpark it. You will learn what loads you need to babysit and which ones you dont.

For example.. rolled roofing I will stop at or before 150 miles and get the bar out fully prepared to tighten straps.

Eye to the sky coils I may stop a bit after 150 and check the straps by hand fully expecting them to still be tight.

Load check/tire check usually consists of a visual inspection with hands on strap or chain. It takes a minute and usually coincides with a bathroom break and fuel stop. It works for me but I'm sure others do it their own way.

Thank you.

Eri says; "interesting"

Interesting.... and yesIhave stoppedmy own personal vehicle in the middleofthe road before.

I'll bet you did...expected you'd reply that way.

Just don't purposely do that with a Tractor Trailer. Not advisable.

You are studying and learning. Many of your questions do not seem well thought out. If your that worried about Cargo securement checks, don't drive flatbed. I haul dry van and my loads are either secured by the shipper , with a strap or two across the back, or they are loaded to the back doors. All loads can shift. This is one of the many reasons we learn how to drive and stop our trucks safely. In your trip plan it is wise to plan your stops. Good luck.