Steel Coil Shift at the Scale
A driver is hauling a flatbed load of six steel coils, each 4 feet wide and 5,000 lb, arranged in two rows of three, secured with chains and binders. After 90 miles, the driver pulls into a scale. The scale shows steer axle 11,200 lb (limit 12,000), drive axles 33,800 lb (limit 34,000), trailer axles 33,500 lb (limit 34,000), gross 78,500 lb (limit 80,000). While walking around, the driver notices one chain on the rear-left coil is loose enough to move by hand, and a binder has a bent handle. The coil has shifted about 2 inches toward the left side. The driver has 140 miles to go and a 30-minute break available. Weather is clear.
1. Are the axle weights legal, and what does that tell you about continuing?
Read the worked answer
The axle weights are legal but tight:
- Steer: 11,200 of 12,000 lb - 800 lb margin.
- Drives: 33,800 of 34,000 lb - 200 lb margin.
- Trailer: 33,500 of 34,000 lb - 500 lb margin.
- Gross: 78,500 of 80,000 lb - 1,500 lb margin.
Nothing is overweight, and the distribution is reasonable for a flatbed. But legal weight does not mean the load is secure. The 2-inch shift and loose chain are the real problem; a legal-weight load can still come off the deck. The driver should not treat the scale ticket as a clearance to continue.
2. The driver has a wrench and can tighten the loose chain. Is that enough? Explain.
Read the worked answer
No. Tightening the one loose chain may hide the symptom, but the coil has shifted 2 inches, which means the securement system allowed movement. Other chains and binders may have lost tension or been overloaded. A bent binder handle is a damaged component and may fail under load; it must be replaced, not bent back or ignored. The driver should:
- Stop and inspect every chain, binder, hook, and attachment point.
- Reposition the coil to its original location, using blocking or a forklift if available.
- Replace the damaged binder and any stretched or damaged chain.
- Re-tension all tiedowns evenly and secure the binder handles.
- Check the trailer deck and coil for damage.
Just tightening and rolling is not enough.
3. What securement standard should the driver verify before moving, and what if no replacement binder is available?
Read the worked answer
Verify that each coil is secured against forward, rearward, and lateral movement with an adequate number of tiedowns and rated components, and that no chain, binder, hook, or anchor is damaged. The load must be checked again after the first 50 miles and periodically. If no replacement binder is available, the driver must not move. Options: get a binder from the scale or a nearby shop, call mobile repair, or reload/transload. Document the defect and the delay. The 140 miles and 30-minute break do not change the standard; a failed binder at highway speed can drop a 5,000-lb coil.