Loading timber onto a trailer, how to tie it down?

[TreeView]

Hi, I have a question about how to secure lumber/planks on a trailer so that all the planks are fastened. When I pull the strap over, the lumber isn't packed exactly "rounded" like the strap becomes when you tighten it. It's enough for one plank to be a little higher for the plank next to it not to have friction against the strap. I stood there for half an hour yesterday trying to puzzle it together.

How do you do it, is there a good way to think about this?

 

[breakman]

Make a loop around the pile. That is, over and then down on the far side, then under and up on the "start side" and over to the other side of the trailer.

Feel like it would be easier to explain with a picture...

 

[Hallerudsbo]

I lay it as evenly as possible.
Then I pull from the lashing loop over the boards, going under and over so that one makes a round around the board stack, then to the next loop and fasten the buckle.
That tightens everything together.

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

Securing the entire load in one "nip" only works if the stack is not too wide relative to its height. Otherwise, the boards in the middle don't get any clamping force. You can stack so that you have a peak in the middle, somewhat higher than at the edge. Then the tension straps grip better.

 

[TreeView]

Make a loop around the pile. That is, over and then down on the far side, then under and up on the "starting side" and over to the other side of the trailer.

Feel like it would be easier to explain with a picture...

Ah, smart. Knew there were people who solved it! Thanks!

 

[TreeView]

Securing the entire load in one "nyp" only works if the stack isn't too wide in relation to the height. Otherwise, the boards in the middle won't get any clamping force. You can stack so that you have a peak in the middle, a bit higher than at the edge. Then the tension straps grip better.

That's what I tried today but insanely frustrating that some planks were constantly "loose"

 

[KalleKe]

The method you should use is called Loopsurrning.

In the attached link, you will find all the methods that can be used and when they should be used

http://forankra.sites.zc.zitac.net/...log=Forankra+Mediabank&id=3547&encoding=UTF-8

 

[MathiasS]

Yep, loop lashing is according to the instruction manual, but the half loop lashing described above works perfectly. It can also be complemented with a strap around just the pile of boards to tighten them.

 

[Mikasw]

There are good instructions for commercial traffic found online.
If you can achieve forward restraint, it is preferable. You are then safe even if the initial tension loosens a bit during transit.
Keep in mind that load securing should withstand at least the entire weight of the load forward and half to the other sides.

 

[Stefan1972]

It is allowed to use as many bands as you want. I usually gather the pile with a number of bands and then you can band the pile in the cart. Using the same band for both tasks usually works poorly, although it is obviously possible if you think it through. However, tension bands are cheap so I see no reason not to have many.

 

[MathiasS]

It usually doesn't work poorly at all, on the contrary. If it's working poorly, you're doing something wrong.

 

[nino]

There are good instructions for professional traffic that can be found online. If you can achieve forward blocking, it is preferred. Then you are safe even if the tension decreases slightly during travel. Remember that the load securing must handle at least the entire weight of the load forward and half to other sides.

How is it really, if you have 1000kg load I've thought it's enough with a 1t strap... But according to a teacher I had this week, you have to calculate it, if you drive 90 the load weighs 9t during braking (which might be true) so then you have to secure 9t.

 

[Stefan1972]

It usually doesn't work poorly at all, quite the opposite. If it works poorly, you're doing something wrong.

Yes, of course, but that's the thing, 90% of everyone who straps does it wrong and they only have two straps with them. They only tighten the top down with one strap and then what's not secured slides out backward.

 

[MathiasS]

No, how fast you are driving is not relevant.

Possibly, one should take into account the deceleration, which can range from merely a few g’s to much more if you crash into a rock wall. And if you want to calculate precisely, you would consider the friction against the surface, etc.; it’s not particularly complicated but also entirely unnecessary for what we are discussing here.

Spontaneously, I think I have never used two one-ton straps for a one-ton load of lumber on the trailer. It’s a hefty load, so I probably go with three or ten-ton straps to tighten securely.

You can also check the specifications for the load hooks on your trailer - you will probably be surprised/discouraged when you see how little they can handle on most trailers... => no point in having straps for many tons... they will come loose anyway...

 

[MathiasS]

Yes of course, but that's the thing, 90% of all who tie down do it wrong and they only have two straps with them. They only tighten the top downwards with one strap and then what isn't secured slides out backwards.

That's probably true, I just understood that you didn't think the half loop tie-down worked, and I wanted to protest against that. That "people" can't tie down properly is seen every time you approach a hardware store. Frightening.