Driver, secure that freight!

[theoldprof]

Talking with a van O/O at a truck stop last week. He opened the back of his van, and I saw nothing that resembled a load bar, straps, e track or anything of the kind. All I saw was a sleeping bag and a bunch of carpet padding he used for bedding. I have no idea how he secures his cargo. :+ :+

 

[FIS53]

I see a lot of van drivers that have either no straps or bars or only one bar and one or two straps. Not enough to secure properly. I carry 2 bars and 6 straps and 3 chains. Also got some non slip mats that work for loose box loads. I usually get some looks from receivers as I take a few to unsecure a load. But better safe than squished. It is especially prevalent in local courier compnaies for their van drivers to not have enough equipment to properly secure a load as most have not been taught anything. Wait for their first damage claim.
Rob Fis

 

[late for dinner]

Your right Fis, Years ago I worked for two local companys and neither said anything about securing the freight. When I started at Roberts, that was one of the questions asked by dispatch at the pick up call. "How is the freight secured" Also when they made the inspection of your equipment, if you didn't have the proper equipment they would not put you in service. Do other companys make sure if you have straps, e-track, 2x4s??????

 

[ACE]

In all our vehicles we have wood blocks that we screw [carry a cordless drill] into the floor or we have e-track in the floor with holders for 2 x 4's. We carry straps and load bars. We do not move a vehicle unless load is secure. We carry a pallet jack and hand cart in straight truck,and do not allow forklifts in truck.

I give Roberts Express credit for always asking how load was secured. This helped me develop good habits. I stress the importance of proper securement to any one who drives for us.

 

[Dreamer]

>I give Roberts Express credit for always asking how load was
>secured. This helped me develop good habits. I stress the
>importance of proper securement to any one who drives for
>us.



Amen to Ace and late for dinner. That's where I learned. Knowing I was going to be asked, got me into the habit of double checking, same as with hazmat labels, proper paperwork, etc. I think all companies should ask, and the dispatchers should have an idea of what is required.. ie, 5000 pounds and the guy says

[font size=+1]"Yeah, I got me a strap on 'er"! [/font]




Dreamer
Forums Administrator


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[i]

Ability is what you're capable of doing...
Motivation determines what you do...
Attitude determines how well you do it. (Lou Holtz)
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[/i]

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[jackdixon_2000]

Here is where I fing my short wheelbase configuration very beneficial.
My empty wieght is 6500# on the steering and 18,500# on the drives. Everything I load goes right in the nose against the wall. No worries of straps or bars breaking in a panic stop.
The downsides are droppin the pusher axle for any load over 2500# and being aware when making sharp turns that the box "cheats" on the other side.
By the way, by getting the proper air pressure settings my pusher will push my front axle up to 12,000# when neceessary, I have hauled 15,000# loads without a problem

 

[ATeam]

>Amen to Ace and late for dinner. That's where I learned.
>Knowing I was going to be asked, got me into the habit of
>double checking, same as with hazmat labels, proper
>paperwork, etc. I think all companies should ask, and the
>dispatchers should have an idea of what is required.. ie,
>5000 pounds and the guy says

Keep in mind that some dispatchers know the words but have a hard time visualizing and understanding exactly what "The freight is secured with four load bars and four straps." means.

One day when Diane and I were at FedEx CC HQ, we were visiting with a recruiter and a contract coordinator over lunch. I talked them into a truck tour, which focused on the back of the truck. I gave them a ride up into the truck with the lift gate. Diane and I then showed them every piece of freight-handling equipment we carry in the truck and demonstrated how it worked. They were very interested and commented that such tours should be set up for others at HQ.

As far as I know, nothing came of the tour idea but it's a good idea just the same. Maybe a video could be made for use in dispatcher training. Maybe one already exists that I don't know about. If it does, forgive my rambling.

 

[Dreamer]

> Maybe a video could be made for use
>in dispatcher training. Maybe one already exists that I
>don't know about. If it does, forgive my rambling.


Good idea. Or at the very least, a dispatcher could have a sheet, or something that at least gave them a break down, or general idea of what was happening.



Dreamer
Forums Administrator


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Ability is what you're capable of doing...
Motivation determines what you do...
Attitude determines how well you do it. (Lou Holtz)
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[Turtle]

The sockets are called Wood Beam Sockets, or Shelf Pockets. They can be used to make shelving, or decking. For that you'd attach the 2x4 (or whatever size you like) permanently to the sockets.

For a floor load bar, simply insert the sockets into the E-Track, and drop a 2x4 (or whatever) down into them.

Here's a picture
http://www.deepsouthtrailerparts.co..._id=59&zenid=27ca2a4468266f576413ad8fc099e469

I got mine at the Iowa-80 truck stop in Walcot, IA. Only place I've seen 'em. Just about any kind of strap, tie or fitting you'd need they seem to have on hand there. I think the beam sockets were $5.99.

 

[LDB]

They are about $3.50 each at New Haven. There are locations in a dozen or so cities and they also will ship them to you. I use them to support the shelf in the nose of the box and to put behind freight. I don't trust them to secure freight from forward motion in the event of an emergency stop, the 2x board could snap. It's not worth the risk to me to not buy the metal load bars for in front of freight.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Panzer]

Securing the cargo, loading properly, and such are to me what I worry the most when I begin expediting. I can go to school or get a class B by myself. But proper and PROFESSIONAL cargo handling and securing is where I don't know where to get. I expect I will be teamed with someone who will teach me, and can only hope that my teacher is a good one.