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Sorry Danielsahn, I just assumed you were familiar with the term belly straps.

I can't quote the regulation verbatim of the top of my head, but in a nutshell it requires you to put at least 1 belly strap on every second tier bundle, or any bundle over 6ft from the deck. So in this case you're required to have belly straps where I've indicated.

As for the homemade tool used to pull belly straps through, I also use a cheap extendable paint pole with a custom bent paint roller carcass. With it I can push/pull any chain or strap through most anything, as well as place edge protectors anywhere on the load from the ground. It can even place bungees when i need it to lol.

Danielsahn, belly straps are not really required by the weight you are carrying. You are correct in calculating how many straps you need by the weight, but the belly straps are required due to the way the material is stacked. This is all explained (well you know how they explain stuff in government documents) in your green book. I don't have the time right now to look it up. Maybe one of our other flat bedders can give you a reference. If not, I'll do it when I get the chance.

Chapter 4 section 3.2.2 - positioning and securing bundles. We are all describing option 3 or 4. Option 3 requires a belly strap over the second tier as described by turtle. Option 4 requires a belly strap over each tier. There are more specific guidelines in the actual regulation but I am trying to keep it simple. Different loads will determine how you secure obviously. For example, I will use option 3 for bundles of lumber. Option 4 for frame rails. Hope all this helps.

Are you set up to haul steel too?

Sorry Danielsahn, I just assumed you were familiar with the term belly straps.

I can't quote the regulation verbatim of the top of my head, but in a nutshell it requires you to put at least 1 belly strap on every second tier bundle, or any bundle over 6ft from the deck. So in this case you're required to have belly straps where I've indicated.

As for the homemade tool used to pull belly straps through, I also use a cheap extendable paint pole with a custom bent paint roller carcass. With it I can push/pull any chain or strap through most anything, as well as place edge protectors anywhere on the load from the ground. It can even place bungees when i need it to lol.

To be clear, you are talking about strapping down the second tier, adding the third tier, and strapping that tier down as well, correct?

Are you set up to haul steel too?

Yes we are. I am missing a few things, so I am being routed back to HQ, to get fully stocked.

The thing I really like about this company is that only 5% of our loads are tarped. And we do not carry 8ft tarps

Thanks for the diagram, turtle, that actually makes complete sense now. I only semi understood, what you and old school were saying, and was going to ask for an elaboration now that I am empty, and in relax mode. And that homemade tool looks like a torture device!

Sorry Danielsahn, I just assumed you were familiar with the term belly straps.

I can't quote the regulation verbatim of the top of my head, but in a nutshell it requires you to put at least 1 belly strap on every second tier bundle, or any bundle over 6ft from the deck. So in this case you're required to have belly straps where I've indicated.

As for the homemade tool used to pull belly straps through, I also use a cheap extendable paint pole with a custom bent paint roller carcass. With it I can push/pull any chain or strap through most anything, as well as place edge protectors anywhere on the load from the ground. It can even place bungees when i need it to lol.

To be clear, you are talking about strapping down the second tier, adding the third tier, and strapping that tier down as well, correct?

Yes but it can be done without strapping in the middle of the loading process. It is however, much easier to accomplish before adding the third layer.

Sorry Danielsahn, I just assumed you were familiar with the term belly straps.

I can't quote the regulation verbatim of the top of my head, but in a nutshell it requires you to put at least 1 belly strap on every second tier bundle, or any bundle over 6ft from the deck. So in this case you're required to have belly straps where I've indicated.

As for the homemade tool used to pull belly straps through, I also use a cheap extendable paint pole with a custom bent paint roller carcass. With it I can push/pull any chain or strap through most anything, as well as place edge protectors anywhere on the load from the ground. It can even place bungees when i need it to lol.

To be clear, you are talking about strapping down the second tier, adding the third tier, and strapping that tier down as well, correct?

Yes but it can be done without strapping in the middle of the loading process. It is however, much easier to accomplish before adding the third layer.

It's a good thing then, as I got done with my third stop, I asked, and the guy leveled me out to 2high stacks. I hated the way I saw the trailer lean on corners.

The biggest and most important lesson I have learned throughout my first year of trucking and coincidentally flat bedding, is that you do not secure for weight. You secure for front to rear movement, side to side movement, toppling, and your gut instinct. I have had 18 straps on a tall load that weighs less than 20k. I've thrown 10 chains and 2 straps on a single 48k coil. Never do the minimum and always secure a load for the worst possible outcome. That is the best advice I can give you sir. I'm happy to hear you're doing what you love and I know you'll take the extra time and precaution to do it right. Good job brother

To be clear, you are talking about strapping down the second tier, adding the third tier, and strapping that tier down as well, correct?

Well yeah of course

The biggest and most important lesson I have learned throughout my first year of trucking and coincidentally flat bedding, is that you do not secure for weight. You secure for front to rear movement, side to side movement, toppling, and your gut instinct.

That statement expresses the perfect attitude towards flatbed load securement.