Ideas, anyone?

[AMonger]

AMonger, I don't know about others but you really need to secure the drum with more than factory tie points and small straps.

You do the math, 55 gallons by 8.35 lbs for water based solutions 460 lbs plus the empty drum weight) to 55 gallons by 11 lbs for some epoxy resins (615 lbs plus the empty drum weight).

It is a serious issue when one is loose in a van or even a truck.

With every drum there is a head space and this allows the liquid to move. If you are hauling three or four drums, then you can feel the liquid move the van while you are driving.

If you survive slamming on your brakes hard, then you still have the accident type issues to deal with, mainly cleaning it up - espeically if the drum contents can't be contained with in the van (which by the way the van can be deemed scrap if it is containted). That can cost a lot of money to clean the enviornment depending on what is in the drums and your insurance may not cover it and you will be liable for the clean up.

My advice - get l track or etrack installed and learn how to make sure the drums don't move.

Unfortunately, not being the owner of the van, I don't have a say in that. I thought the company was going to require the owner to install E-track, really wanted them to, but they inspected the van and approved it as-is.

How expensive is it to install E-track?

 

[AMonger]

You should install E-track not only for the securement of drums, but for all freight.

What type of securement comes standard in a Chevy Express?

Rails welded to the body. Doesn't look as secure as I'd like it, but they're all over, so when tie-ing down to them, you're using multiple points, spreading the secured weight among them. Instead of E-track hooks, I have to use the straps that one would tie down a motorcycle into a pickup truck bed. I don't like it, but there's not much I can do about it.

 

[greg334]

As the driver of the van, you have a LOT to say because it is your responsibility to make sure things are secure. Van/no Van, under 10k - it doesn't matter because you are working under an authority and subject to the same liabilities as a truck.

 

[AMonger]

As the driver of the van, you have a LOT to say because it is your responsibility to make sure things are secure. Van/no Van, under 10k - it doesn't matter because you are working under an authority and subject to the same liabilities as a truck.

So you would recommend what? If the drums can't be secured, I'd have to refuse the load, which I would do if they couldn't be secured, but I'm thinking the securement I've suggested is adequate.

 

[greg334]

Well I tell you what, get loaded with some drums, then go to the nearest open scale and ask the officer on duty what he/she thinks. If they say "looks good to me" then get their name/badge number.

I weigh in on the cautious side, I already know what it like to have things flying around in a van and don't ever want to see people get hurt.