Flatbedder’s....a Little Help Please

Can anyone clarify the belly strap regulations for me please.

I read it as anything 3 tiers or more needs a belly strap that is to be placed no higher than 6’ off the deck.

Am I misinterpreting this???

A belly strap is required if the load is more than 2 tiers high, and 6 feet high or more. There is no law about how high your belly straps can or must be. That being said, I just tied down a load of frame rails (wish I would have seen this before tarping lol) which was 4 tiers high, but only about 4 feet tall, and I used a few belly straps anyway. So if you want to throw some, by all means do it, but unless the whole stack is 6 feet high or more, you don't have to by law.

Chris is correct, but I'm thinking it is three tiers high. I don't have the time to verify it right now, but I'll come back to this later.

Chris:

Have you had any runs to NE Ohio lately, since the one at Valley City?

A belly strap is required if the load is more than 2 tiers high, and 6 feet high or more. There is no law about how high your belly straps can or must be. That being said, I just tied down a load of frame rails (wish I would have seen this before tarping lol) which was 4 tiers high, but only about 4 feet tall, and I used a few belly straps anyway. So if you want to throw some, by all means do it, but unless the whole stack is 6 feet high or more, you don't have to by law.

A belly strap is required if the load is more than 2 tiers high, and 6 feet high or more. There is no law about how high your belly straps can or must be. That being said, I just tied down a load of frame rails (wish I would have seen this before tarping lol) which was 4 tiers high, but only about 4 feet tall, and I used a few belly straps anyway. So if you want to throw some, by all means do it, but unless the whole stack is 6 feet high or more, you don't have to by law.

2nd tier or 6 ft whichever is higher

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/drivers-handbook-cargo-securement-chapter-4-dressed-lumber-and-similar

Securing Dressed Lumber and Building Materials

Thanks Parrothead66, you did exactly what I was wanting to do. I had just made a quick stop to tighten my load up and I took a quick look at the forum, but I didn't have the time to go into it.

By the way, for those who don't know we have an entire section on Cargo Securement For Flatbed in our High Road CDL Training Program.

You can never over secure the load. If I can get a belly strap on it, i am going to throw that strap. It doesn't take much more time and it certainly takes less time than if your load shifts or worse.

Not a problem at all. I was at home in my living room so I had plenty of time.

Thanks Parrothead66, you did exactly what I was wanting to do. I had just made a quick stop to tighten my load up and I took a quick look at the forum, but I didn't have the time to go into it.