CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
Choose A Section:
Go!A sided vehicle containing cargo weighing 35,980 lbs must be able to withstand a rearward force of at least:
- 36,000 lbs
- 28,784 lbs
- 17,990 lbs
- 10,000 lbs
Note: If the cargo is contained in a sided vehicle, the vehicle structure MUST be strong enough to withstand the forces described earlier.
- Forward force: 0.8 g (80%)
- Rearward force: 0.5.g (50%)
- Sideways force: 0.5 g (50%)
What is the minimum WLL of a tiedown used to secure logs?
- 50% of cargo weight
- 1,800 lb
- It depends on if you are hauling shortwood or longwood
- 4,000 lb
- Use tiedowns in combination with bunks, stakes, or standards and bolsters to secure the load.
- All tiedowns must have a working load limit not less than 1,800 kg (4,000 lb.).
- Tension tiedowns as tightly as possible but not beyond their working load limit.
If loading and securing paper rolls on a second layer:
- Stack the second layer at the back.
- Be sure the bottom layer extends to the front of the vehicle.
- Lay the second layer horizontally.
- Make sure heavier rolls are on top.
Stacked Loads
- Load paper rolls on a second layer only if the bottom layer extends to the front of the vehicle.
-
Prevent forward, rearward, or side-to-side movement:
- Either by the same means required for the bottom layer
- Or by the use of a blocking roll from a lower layer.
- A roll in the rearmost row of any layer must not be raised using dunnage.
If you were instructed to 'tarp' a load, what would you be using?
- A strip of material that may be used to unitize articles and is tensioned and clamped or crimped back upon itself.
- A short piece of material, usually wood, nailed to the deck to reinforce blocking.
- A waterproof sheet used to cover cargo.
- A platform or tray on which cargo is placed so that it can be handled as an article.
Tarp:
A waterproof sheet used to cover cargo.
Which of the following is not an acceptable method of containing loose parts when securing flattened or crushed vehicles?
- Structural walls.
- Wedge them in between the flattened cars.
- Suitable covering material.
- Sideboards or sides.
Containing Loose Parts
Use a containment system that:
- Prevents loose parts from falling from all four sides of the vehicle AND
- Extends to the full height of the cargo.
The containment system can consist of one or a combination of the following methods.
- Structural walls.
- Sides or sideboards.
- Suitable covering material.
The use of synthetic material for containment of loose parts is permitted.
When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the front half of the load run?
- Rearward
- It doesn't matter
- Straight up and down
- Forward
Requirements for securing the pipe
Secure each pipe with tiedowns through the pipe.
Run at least one tiedown through each pipe in the front half of the load. This includes the middle one if there are an odd number. The tiedown must run rearward at an angle not more than 45° with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, whenever practicable.
Run at least one tiedown through each pipe in the rear half of the load. The tiedown must run forward at an angle not more than 45° with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, whenever practicable. This holds each pipe firmly in contact with adjacent pipe.
Which of the following are not covered by the specific log securement requirements?
- Loads of no more than four processed logs.
- Logs unitized by banding or other comparable means.
- Firewood, stumps, debris, other short logs, and longer logs.
- None of these are covered by the specific log requirements
The following types of logs are not covered by the specific logs requirements:
- Logs unitized by banding or other comparable means. [Secure according to general cargo securement requirements.]
- Loads of no more than four processed logs. [Secure according to general cargo securement requirements.]
- Firewood, stumps, debris, other short logs, and longer logs. [Transport in a vehicle or container enclosed on both sides, the front, and the rear and strong enough to contain them.]
Concrete pipe loaded crosswise generally:
- At least one tiedown through the rear pipe of the bottom tier must run forward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
- All of these things apply.
- Concrete pipe with an inside diameter up to 1.143 m (45 in) can form a complete single tier on a typical flatbed vehicle. Larger pipe often can only be carried as a partial tier.
- Note: At least one tiedown through the front pipe of the bottom tier must run rearward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
Special Circumstances: Securing Pipe with an Inside Diameter Up to 1.143 mm (45 in)
Concrete pipe with an inside diameter up to 1.143 m (45 in) can form a complete single tier on a typical flatbed vehicle. Larger pipe often can only be carried as a partial tier.
Note: This pipe diameter of 1.143 m (45 in) is simply a convenient breaking point between "medium" and "large" diameter pipe.
Note: At least one tiedown through the front pipe of the bottom tier must run rearward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
At least one tiedown through the rear pipe of the bottom tier must run forward at an angle not more than 45 with the horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle, when ever practical.
When securing a non-cubic boulder with an unstable base, the four surrounding chains must have a WLL of at least:
- 25% the weight of the boulder
- 5,000 lbs
- 11,000 lbs
- 50% the weight of the boulder
Special Circumstances: Securing a Non-Cubic Shaped Boulder with an Unstable Base
The securement of a non-cubic shaped boulder with an unstable base must meet these requirements in addition to the other large boulder requirements in Section 13.
Surround the top of each boulder at a point between 1/2 and 2/3 of its height with one chain.
The WLL of the chain must be at least 50% of the weight of the boulder.
Attach four chains to the surrounding chain and the vehicle to form a blocking mechanism that prevents any horizontal movement.
Each chain must have a WLL of at least 25% the weight of the boulder, and the angle of the chain must be less than 45° from the horizontal.
All of these are requirements for securing longwood lengthwise except:
- Each outside log should bear against at least two stakes, one near each end of the log.
- Each end of the log should extend at least 3 inches beyond the stakes.
- Secure each log with at least two tiedowns if shorter logs are carried on top of the stack.
- Must be cradled in two or more bunks or contained by stakes.
Requirements for securing longwood loaded lengthwise
- Longwood must be cradled in two or more bunks or contained by stakes.
- Each outside log should bear against at least two stakes, one near each end of the log.
- Each end of the log should extend at least 0.15 m (6 in) beyond the stakes.
- If shorter logs are carried on top of the stack, secure each log with at least two tiedowns.
About The Flatbed Cargo Securement CDL Manual
Studying the flatbed cargo securement CDL manual is not a requirement for getting your CDL permit or license. It is required knowledge for flatbed drivers.
Some questions you should be able to answer for flatbed cargo securement:
- What is the minimum Working Load Limit of a tiedown used to secure logs?
- What is the minimum weight of a shipment of paper rolls that would require specific securement requirements?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the front half of the load run?
- What is a cab shield?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the rear half of the load run?
- What is a dunnage bag?
- Who is responsible for inspecting securing devices and cargo within the first 50 miles?
- How many tiedowns are required on a stack of shortwood loaded crosswise?
- What is the minimum working load limit of each tiedown used to secure crushed or flattened vehicles?
- Define 'bolster'
- What is a hook-lift container?
- When a tiedown is attached directly to the cargo, what is the ideal angle where it attached to the vehicle?
What is a securing device?
Any device specifically manufactured to attach or secure cargo to a vehicle or trailer:
- Synthetic Webbing
- Chain
- Wire rope
- Manila rope
- Synthetic rope
- Steel strapping
- Clamps and latches
- Blocking
- Front-end structure
- Grab hooks
- Binders
- Shackles
- Winches
- Stake pockets
- D-rings
- Webbing ratchet
- Bracing
- Friction mat
What is a tiedown?
A combination of securing devices that forms an assembly that:
- Attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on a vehicle.
- Is attached to anchor point(s).
Some tiedowns are attached to the cargo and provide direct resistance to restrain the cargo from movement.
Some tie-downs pass over or through the cargo. They create a downward force that increases the effect of friction between the cargo and the deck. This friction restrains the cargo.
Related Cargo Securement Terms That Every Driver Should Know:
-
Tiedown:
A combination of securing devices which form an assembly that attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on, a vehicle or trailer, and is attached to anchor point(s).
-
Contained:
Cargo is contained if it fills a sided vehicle, and every article is in contact with or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip if those other articles are also unable to shift or tip.
-
Blocking:
A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
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.
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