Question For The Flatbed Gang

See this video FIRST: https://youtu.be/M0yMHF-e7eg

According to this it seems like you only need two per bundle. What am I missing?? FMCSA: "When an article of cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement in the forward direction, and the item is longer than 10 ft in length, then it must be secured by two tiedowns for the first 10 ft of length, and one additional tiedown for every 10 ft of length, or fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 ft. An example of this is provided below. If an article is blocked, braced or immobilized to prevent movement in the forward direction by a headerboard, bulkhead , other articles that are adequately secured, or other appropriate means, it must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 10 ft of article length, or fraction thereof." Now I'm not against using extra tie downs but we're only talking about the regs here.

I think his argument was because the bundles weren’t perfectly aligned, they were a smidge over ten feet long and so needed three straps due to length and no bulkhead.

Wonder were his gut straps were.

I’d probably throw 14 on that load.

I think his argument was because the bundles weren’t perfectly aligned, they were a smidge over ten feet long and so needed three straps due to length and no bulkhead.

Wonder were his gut straps were.

Ahh yes! That's right thank you! I re-watched it and that's exactly what it is. Are gut straps required though per FMCSA? I don't see any guidelines for pipe specifically in the book.

That pipe was turned into “bundles” which fall under 393.118.

That pipe was turned into “bundles” which fall under 393.118.

Have to disagree with you there sir. 393.118 says dressed lumber or building materials such as gypsum board or items of similar shape.

That pipe was turned into “bundles” which fall under 393.118.

Have to disagree with you there sir. 393.118 says dressed lumber or building materials such as gypsum board or items of similar shape.

Cool, I’ll save a ton of time not having to gut strap all those “building materials which are unitized for securement as a single article of cargo.”

NeeklODN, I have to agree with andhe78 on this one. These discussions of the regs for flat-bedding can always get lively. The regs use terminology like "unitized" that aren't part of most people's vocabulary. I've found that even law enforcement personnel disagree on how to comprehend some of this stuff. I haul "unitized" materials everyday. I am constantly having to use what I call "belly straps," because I've had the D.O.T. insist that the aluminum I'm hauling is "building material unitized for securement."

I'm assuming what andhe78 is calling "gut straps" is the same as what I call "belly straps." See what I mean. We have all this terminology, and it makes it difficult to get it all straight when we're all saying or interpreting things differently. Flatbed securement discussions are always intriguing because of this.

That pipe was turned into “bundles” which fall under 393.118.

Have to disagree with you there sir. 393.118 says dressed lumber or building materials such as gypsum board or items of similar shape.

Cool, I’ll save a ton of time not having to gut strap all those “building materials which are unitized for securement as a single article of cargo.”

I didn't see this part. And for the record, I would probably put belly straps regardless of the regs. Don't be salty bro 🤣

NeeklODN, I have to agree with andhe78 on this one. These discussions of the regs for flat-bedding can always get lively. The regs use terminology like "unitized" that aren't part of most people's vocabulary. I've found that even law enforcement personnel disagree on how to comprehend some of this stuff. I haul "unitized" materials everyday. I am constantly having to use what I call "belly straps," because I've had the D.O.T. insist that the aluminum I'm hauling is "building material unitized for securement."

I'm assuming what andhe78 is calling "gut straps" is the same as what I call "belly straps." See what I mean. We have all this terminology, and it makes it difficult to get it all straight when we're all saying or interpreting things differently. Flatbed securement discussions are always intriguing because of this.

And old school steps in with the save. Thanks man

Sorry I'm late to the party, but I've been a little busy.

This is a fine example of why you should never trust a video on YouTube to be fact. It burns me up when someone tries to be an expert, and in fact teaches the wrong way to do something. YouTube is full of that.

His example clearly falls under the category of a "tiered" load of "similar" building products defined under 393.118, thus requiring belly straps.

I don't think the fact that each bundle is a hair over 10 feet has any bearing. The point at which each bundle is unitized, aka where it's banded and has support dunnage, is less than 10 feet in length. Could a DOT officer pick you apart on that? Perhaps. That's the gray area where semantics can be argued.

I'm with andhe78 on this. 14 straps would suffice, although I would probably throw 16. 2 bellies over each 2nd tier, and 2 straps over each top bundle