CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
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Go!What is the minimum amount of rearward force that a cargo securement system must withstand?
- 20% of cargo weight
- 80% of cargo weight
- 100% of cargo weight
- 50% of cargo weight
Each cargo securement system must be able to withstand a minimum amount of force in each direction.
- Forward Force = 80% of cargo weight when braking while driving straight ahead.
- Rearward Force = 50% of cargo weight when accelerating, shifting gears while climbing a hill, or braking in reverse.
- Sideways Force = 50% of cargo weight when turning, changing lanes, or braking while turning.
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Upward Force = 20% of cargo weight when traveling over bumps in the road or cresting a hill.
- This requirement is satisfied when the cargo is "Fully Contained."
What is a cab shield?
- A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
- A vertical barrier across the front of the deck of a vehicle to prevent forward movement of cargo.
- The depression formed between two cylindrical articles when they are laid with their eyes horizontal and parallel against each other.
- A vertical barrier placed directly behind the cab of a tractor to protect the cab in the event cargo should shift forward.
The aggregate WLL for logs loaded lengthwise must be at least:
- 4,000 lbs
- 1/2 the weight of the stack.
- 1/2 the weight of the load.
- 1/6 the weight of the stack.
Working load limit for longwood and shortwood loaded lengthwise
The aggregate working load limit for all tiedowns must be no less than 1/6 the weight of the stack of logs.
Note: This requirement is much less than the general requirement of an aggregate working load limit equal to 1/2 the weight of the load. This lowered requirement recognizes that the bunks/stakes help to prevent slippage.
What is the minimum aggregate WLL of all tiedowns in a group of concrete pipe?
- It depends on the size of the pipe.
- 80% of the total weight of all pipes in the group.
- More than 50% of the total weight of all pipes in the group.
- 5,000 lbs.
General tiedown requirements
The aggregate working load limit of all tiedowns on any group of pipe must be more than half the total weight of all pipes in the group.
As part of the log packing requirements:
- Each inside log on the side of a stack of logs must touch at least two bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
- Logs must be loosely packed.
- Outer bottom logs must be in contact with and rest solidly against bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
- The center of the highest log on each side or end must be above the top of each stake, bunk, or standard.
Packing requirements
- Logs must be solidly packed.
- Outer bottom logs must be in contact with and rest solidly against bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
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Each outside log on the side of a stack of logs must touch at least two bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards. If one end of the log doesn't touch a stake:
- It must rest on other logs in a stable manner.
- It must extend beyond the stake, bunk, bolster, or standard.
- The center of the highest log on each side or end must be below the top of each stake, bunk, or standard.
When loading paper rolls with eyes horizontal, which of the following is not a requirement for stacking a second layer:
- The bottom layer must extend all the way to the front.
- All the wells in the layer beneath must be filled
- It must be blocked against an eye-vertical blocking roll resting on the floor of the vehicle that is at least 1.5 times taller than the diameter of the roll being blocked.
- Place second layer with eyes vertical.
Requirements for eyes crosswise: secure stacks of paper rolls from front-to-back movement
- Do not load paper rolls on a second layer unless the bottom layer extends to the front of the vehicle.
- Load paper rolls on higher layers only if all wells in the layer beneath are filled.
-
Secure the foremost roll in each upper layer (or any roll with an empty well in front of it) against forward movement:
- Either by placing it in a well formed by two rolls on the lower row whose diameter is equal to or greater than that of the roll on the upper row.
- Or by banding it to other rolls.
- Or by blocking it against an eye-vertical blocking roll resting on the floor of the vehicle that is at least 1.5 times taller than the diameter of the roll being blocked.
When securing building materials, how many knots are acceptable in the tiedown(s)?
- Depends on the weight of the cargo.
- 2
- 0
- 1
Requirements for Securement System:
- In proper working order with no damaged or weakened components that affect their performance or reduce their working load limit.
- No knots.
- Attached and secured in a manner that prevents them from coming loose during transit.
- Able to be tightened by a driver of an in-transit vehicle.
- Located inboard of rub rails whenever practicable.
- Edge protection must be used when a tiedown would be subject to abrasion or cutting.
What is a rub rail?
- A device placed between the deck of a vehicle and car or between articles of cargo, intended to provide greater friction than exists naturally between these surfaces.
- A strip of material that may be used to unitize articles and is tensioned and clamped or crimped back upon itself. (same as "Strapping")
- A platform or tray on which cargo is placed so that it can be handled as an article. (Same as "Skid")
- A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
Rub Rail:
A rail along the side of a vehicle that protects the side of the vehicle from impacts.
When a tiedown is attached directly to the cargo, what is the ideal angle where it attached to the vehicle?
- Between 45 and 60 degrees.
- 90 degrees.
- It doesn't matter.
- Less than 45 degrees.
The angle where the tiedown attaches to the vehicle should be shallow, not deep (ideally less than 45).
While driving, the freight must not:
- Interfere with the free movement of the driver's arms or legs.
- All of these things should be avoided.
- Obscure the driver's view ahead, left, or right.
- Prevent the exit of a person from the cab.
- Obscure the driver's view ahead or to the right or left sides (except for drivers of self-steer dollies).
- Interfere with the free movement of the driver's arms or legs.
- Prevent the driver's free and ready access to accessories required for emergencies. OR
- Prevent the free and ready exit of any person from the commercial motor vehicle's cab or driver's compartment.
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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