Whether you’re transporting a load up the street, across town or much further, you always need to be mindful of how well it’s strapped to the vehicle. The good news is that knowing how many straps are needed isn’t a guessing game. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules that answer the question, “How many straps per pound do I need to use?”
FMCSA mandates
The FMCSA rules state you need one strap if your cargo is shorter than 5 feet and weighs less than 1,100 pounds. Two straps are needed if the cargo is shorter than 5 feet but weighs over 1,100 pounds or if the cargo is between 5 and 10 feet. You’ll need at least four tie-downs if your cargo is over 10,000 pounds.
The FMCSA also recommends adding an extra strap for every additional 10 feet of length. You may also need to add extra straps if you’re carrying logs, concrete pipes, cars or other large cargo. Generally speaking, the more straps you have, the better.
Why does this matter?
Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is the minimum number of straps I need for my load?” it’s helpful to understand why it’s important. Besides staying in good standing with the FMCSA, these are the reasons to pay attention to your strap count:
- Driver and bystander safety: The first thing to consider is everyone’s safety. Using too few straps can result in severe injuries for both the truck driver and any other motorists or pedestrians near the truck. Just imagine what could happen if a large piece of lumber rolls off a flatbed because it didn’t have enough straps!
- Vehicle security: While the top thing to consider is everyone’s safety, we can’t forget to mention the transportation vehicle. Any cargo that rolls off the truck bed can cause significant vehicle damage. Be sure to consider the minimum amount of straps needed for your load to ensure you don’t end up costing a fortune in property damage.
- Cargo protection: Finally, using the correct number of straps ensures your cargo makes it to its destination in one piece. You’d hate to cover the cost of damaged or lost cargo just because you failed to secure everything onto the truck! We say, when you’re in doubt, use more straps than you think you need to.
We have everything you need
Whether you need to buy extra straps for your large load or standard shipping supplies for a smaller delivery, Lamberson Packaging Solutions has everything you need. In addition to a vast inventory, we offer some of the most competitive prices in the area for all of our products. Browse our online store today to check out what we have in stock—we can special order items if necessary to meet your needs.
If you’re still unsure of what you need, contact us today. We can teach you everything you need to know about how many straps per pound you need, or we can provide a quote for any shipping supplies.