Wheel Nut:
Frankydobo:
This Bluntman (think its Blunt!) obviously isn’t a driver otherwise he wouldn’t be spouting such rubbish. How the hell did he think goods were carried and secured during the 20th Century, there was only chains and ropes available for the various loads a driver would secure on a flat trailer or body. If he knew anything about roping and sheeting then he would know the many techniques used to make sure what ever was being carried the driver would know the best way to secure his load using some of these techniques or skills. An experienced driver would be able to look at his load and know exactly what is required, a less experienced driver would learn through time and from others in the know, that’s how it was and believe me a double dollied rope from hook to hook would hold just as good as a modern strap. Franky.
It rhymes with Blunt 
The ropes are not just used for holding the load on, the sheet is also part of the securing process, before these lightweight plastic sheets a tarpaulin was used to wrap the load, the rope is just used to tighten between the load/sheets, like using sellotape on a parcel, the strength is in the whole wrapping.
If the poster wants to see the method written down, buy yourself a Mrs Beeton book and read up on trussing a Turkey or wrapping a steamed pudding!
Couldn’t agree more, tarpaulins or their modern equivalent do have a substantial load bearing function and could (should) be tested and given a load bearing rating similar to straps etc. I have not done roping & sheeting for many years (thankfully) but it was the norm when I first started driving. The sad thing is that now the driver CPC is in place(no bad thing) the training will undoubtedly churn out the VOSA H&S mantra that sheets cannot be used for load restraint and that everything in a curtainsider must be strapped. The curtains if well tightened onto most palletised loads with no gaps will keep the load in place except in exceptional circumstances such as a roll over in which case most load restraint systems would fail.
Wheel Nut:
Peter Wells:
What make me laugh so much is. The bags travel well but if there not going to fall off the side why put a strap around the rear bag? Are they not close to the back of the trailer like the side? no there often not. So again why strap the rear bags Lol. You would have more chance them coming off side if some thing was to happen and you had lets say turn sharp more than you stting off and thowing them oof the back. I think you could have a 700 BHP FH and still not have enough power to do it lol
Regards
Peter
You haven’t done many loads of hay or straw bales then Peter?
Have you heard of “Length Ropes?”
Done hay and straw etc when I passed my test many yrs ago and they will fall of stacked 12 or 13 high was it? with a binder on top not roped or straped. Strap them front to back then side to side was what I was showed. Is there another way now a days or another way full stop?
Peter
matamoros:
Wheel Nut:
Frankydobo:
This Bluntman (think its Blunt!) obviously isn’t a driver otherwise he wouldn’t be spouting such rubbish. How the hell did he think goods were carried and secured during the 20th Century, there was only chains and ropes available for the various loads a driver would secure on a flat trailer or body. If he knew anything about roping and sheeting then he would know the many techniques used to make sure what ever was being carried the driver would know the best way to secure his load using some of these techniques or skills. An experienced driver would be able to look at his load and know exactly what is required, a less experienced driver would learn through time and from others in the know, that’s how it was and believe me a double dollied rope from hook to hook would hold just as good as a modern strap. Franky.
It rhymes with Blunt The ropes are not just used for holding the load on, the sheet is also part of the securing process, before these lightweight plastic sheets a tarpaulin was used to wrap the load, the rope is just used to tighten between the load/sheets, like using sellotape on a parcel, the strength is in the whole wrapping.
If the poster wants to see the method written down, buy yourself a Mrs Beeton book and read up on trussing a Turkey or wrapping a steamed pudding!
Couldn’t agree more, tarpaulins or their modern equivalent do have a substantial load bearing function and could (should) be tested and given a load bearing rating similar to straps etc. I have not done roping & sheeting for many years (thankfully) but it was the norm when I first started driving. The sad thing is that now the driver CPC is in place(no bad thing) the training will undoubtedly churn out the VOSA H&S mantra that sheets cannot be used for load restraint and that everything in a curtainsider must be strapped. The curtains if well tightened onto most palletised loads with no gaps will keep the load in place except in exceptional circumstances such as a roll over in which case most load restraint systems would fail.
If all that was right it would have been impossible to carry any loads on a tilt without using a sheet to ‘secure’ it with in addition to just using the ropes. 
For once VOSA and HSE have got it right with the exception of the idea that ropes won’t hold a load.The fact is,just like a tilt cover,a sheet is meant to keep it dry the ropes/straps/chains etc are meant to hold it with.
But bags of sand and bulk seems like a case of the same thing as using a flat or curtainsider to do the job of a bulker or tipper.In which case maybe it’s time for VOSA to look into the issue before someones gets hit by a flying bag which Murphy’s law says has to happen sometime.
Carryfast:
matamoros:
Wheel Nut:
Frankydobo:
This Bluntman (think its Blunt!) obviously isn’t a driver otherwise he wouldn’t be spouting such rubbish. How the hell did he think goods were carried and secured during the 20th Century, there was only chains and ropes available for the various loads a driver would secure on a flat trailer or body. If he knew anything about roping and sheeting then he would know the many techniques used to make sure what ever was being carried the driver would know the best way to secure his load using some of these techniques or skills. An experienced driver would be able to look at his load and know exactly what is required, a less experienced driver would learn through time and from others in the know, that’s how it was and believe me a double dollied rope from hook to hook would hold just as good as a modern strap. Franky.
It rhymes with Blunt The ropes are not just used for holding the load on, the sheet is also part of the securing process, before these lightweight plastic sheets a tarpaulin was used to wrap the load, the rope is just used to tighten between the load/sheets, like using sellotape on a parcel, the strength is in the whole wrapping.
If the poster wants to see the method written down, buy yourself a Mrs Beeton book and read up on trussing a Turkey or wrapping a steamed pudding!
Couldn’t agree more, tarpaulins or their modern equivalent do have a substantial load bearing function and could (should) be tested and given a load bearing rating similar to straps etc. I have not done roping & sheeting for many years (thankfully) but it was the norm when I first started driving. The sad thing is that now the driver CPC is in place(no bad thing) the training will undoubtedly churn out the VOSA H&S mantra that sheets cannot be used for load restraint and that everything in a curtainsider must be strapped. The curtains if well tightened onto most palletised loads with no gaps will keep the load in place except in exceptional circumstances such as a roll over in which case most load restraint systems would fail.
If all that was right it would have been impossible to carry any loads on a tilt without using a sheet to ‘secure’ it with in addition to just using the ropes.
For once VOSA and HSE have got it right with the exception of the idea that ropes won’t hold a load.The fact is,just like a tilt cover,a sheet is meant to keep it dry the ropes/straps/chains etc are meant to hold it with.
But bags of sand and bulk seems like a case of the same thing as using a flat or curtainsider to do the job of a bulker or tipper.In which case maybe it’s time for VOSA to look into the issue before someones gets hit by a flying bag which Murphy’s law says has to happen sometime.
Never said roping and sheeting was the only method of load restraint but is one method that worked for many years. Times change and the nature of loads and vehicles has changed, different methods for different situations, but to say that every load inside a curtainsider needs strapping is ridiculous. I personally wouldn’t carry bulk bags on a flat trailer without straps but have regularly carried them inside a curtainsider without every one being strapped.Load restraint training is essential but should be given by someone who knows what they are talking about. I do not know how to secure every type of load and do not think that any one person knows everything about every type of load but experience must count for a lot and the catch all type of training being offered is inappropriate.
matamoros:
Carryfast:
matamoros:
Wheel Nut:
Frankydobo:
This Bluntman (think its Blunt!) obviously isn’t a driver otherwise he wouldn’t be spouting such rubbish. How the hell did he think goods were carried and secured during the 20th Century, there was only chains and ropes available for the various loads a driver would secure on a flat trailer or body. If he knew anything about roping and sheeting then he would know the many techniques used to make sure what ever was being carried the driver would know the best way to secure his load using some of these techniques or skills. An experienced driver would be able to look at his load and know exactly what is required, a less experienced driver would learn through time and from others in the know, that’s how it was and believe me a double dollied rope from hook to hook would hold just as good as a modern strap. Franky.
It rhymes with Blunt The ropes are not just used for holding the load on, the sheet is also part of the securing process, before these lightweight plastic sheets a tarpaulin was used to wrap the load, the rope is just used to tighten between the load/sheets, like using sellotape on a parcel, the strength is in the whole wrapping.
If the poster wants to see the method written down, buy yourself a Mrs Beeton book and read up on trussing a Turkey or wrapping a steamed pudding!
Couldn’t agree more, tarpaulins or their modern equivalent do have a substantial load bearing function and could (should) be tested and given a load bearing rating similar to straps etc. I have not done roping & sheeting for many years (thankfully) but it was the norm when I first started driving. The sad thing is that now the driver CPC is in place(no bad thing) the training will undoubtedly churn out the VOSA H&S mantra that sheets cannot be used for load restraint and that everything in a curtainsider must be strapped. The curtains if well tightened onto most palletised loads with no gaps will keep the load in place except in exceptional circumstances such as a roll over in which case most load restraint systems would fail.
If all that was right it would have been impossible to carry any loads on a tilt without using a sheet to ‘secure’ it with in addition to just using the ropes.
For once VOSA and HSE have got it right with the exception of the idea that ropes won’t hold a load.The fact is,just like a tilt cover,a sheet is meant to keep it dry the ropes/straps/chains etc are meant to hold it with.
But bags of sand and bulk seems like a case of the same thing as using a flat or curtainsider to do the job of a bulker or tipper.In which case maybe it’s time for VOSA to look into the issue before someones gets hit by a flying bag which Murphy’s law says has to happen sometime.
Never said roping and sheeting was the only method of load restraint but is one method that worked for many years. Times change and the nature of loads and vehicles has changed, different methods for different situations, but to say that every load inside a curtainsider needs strapping is ridiculous. I personally wouldn’t carry bulk bags on a flat trailer without straps but have regularly carried them inside a curtainsider without every one being strapped.Load restraint training is essential but should be given by someone who knows what they are talking about. I do not know how to secure every type of load and do not think that any one person knows everything about every type of load but experience must count for a lot and the catch all type of training being offered is inappropriate.
The general rule of thumb when handling loads of around the usual weights up to the truck’s design capacity is that a curtainsider,tilt,and a flat are all the same from the point of view of load security it’s just that with a tilt or a curtainsider you don’t need to sheet the load to keep it dry.
However I’ve carried loads in box trailers that just weren’t possible to be sucured in the way that I would have done if I’d have been using a flat/curtainsider,or a tilt.Which is another of those grey areas that VOSA/HSE need to be looking into just like bags of bulk stuff being carried on flats and curtainsiders.
But it’s that inconvenient truth that sheets were never used to ‘cover’ loads on tilts but loads had to be ‘secured’ in just the same way as on a flat proves the argument that sheets are only there to keep the load dry in just the same way as a tilt cover is. 
Frankydobo:
Quote: the way I heard it was that rope’s don’t have a breaking limit on them like straps do, say you get a 5 ton ratchet strap ropes haven’t been tested like that so they reckon you shouldn’t use rope.load of rubbish is you ask me but I don’t make the rules
dazcapriSENIOR MEMBER Posts: 42Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:51 pmLocation: Chester-le-street
I don’t make the rules. Rules, what Rules!
There are no laws for chains, straps or ropes that are used for securing (yet!), the only law we have at the moment is the LOLER. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, in other words it only covers equipment used for LIFTING. Straps and Chains may well have a SWL but there is no regulation to test, inspect or condem these if not used for lifting. Somebody somewhere in VOSA is being a jobsworth and it seems like its spreading to different areas. If you get pulled up ask them to show you the regulation and the testing procedure.
Probably didn’t write that very clearly thinking more about this I think I actually read this somewhere, memory ain’t what it used to be. The point I was trying to make was I didn’t agree with them not letting you use rope. I agree with you it’ll be some clueless jobsworth inventing problems that don’t exist.
There is a good picture on Mick Gould’s Heavy Recovery site of an artic rollover on the M25 j5 in 2010. This shows a container that has burst. So what exactly is a driver supposed to do when picking up a sealed container then please Mr VOSA?
cav551:
There is a good picture on Mick Gould’s Heavy Recovery site of an artic rollover on the M25 j5 in 2010. This shows a container that has burst. So what exactly is a driver supposed to do when picking up a sealed container then please Mr VOSA?
Who knows but a 1T bag of gravel dropped burst in lane 2 is a b@rstew@rd to clear up when it’s spread over 3 lanes & a 100 yards pinging everywhere 
Achy arms for a few days after brushing that up fun watchin a colleague do it
However I’ve carried loads in box trailers that just weren’t possible to be sucured in the way that I would have done if I’d have been using a flat/curtainsider,or a tilt.Which is another of those grey areas that VOSA/HSE need to be looking into just like bags of bulk stuff being carried on flats and curtainsiders.
But it’s that inconvenient truth that sheets were never used to ‘cover’ loads on tilts but loads had to be ‘secured’ in just the same way as on a flat proves the argument that sheets are only there to keep the load dry in just the same way as a tilt cover is.
Carryfast
SENIOR MEMBER
Posts: 4878
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:45
I have also seen vans ‘burst’ with rolls of cloth stacked incorrectly, the van bodies not built to withstand a lot of outward pressure but that is a totally different issue as are tilts in relation to curtainsiders.Tilts are merely a way of suspending a waterproof cover over a load, the covers are not meant to act as load restraints, that is what the boards are for but not suitable for all loads.
Curtainsides have tension straps built in and havesome load restraining ability but not for every load, different loads need different methods of load restraint.
“sheets are only there to keep the load dry” - Rubbish, sheets have load bearing capacity and spread any outward force over a wider area but obviously needs to be under tension which can be applied by rope or staps. The combination of both a tight sheet and good roping will keep most loads on a flat.It’s all down to lb/sq. in and breaking strain, every system has its limitations but to say that sheets and side curtains have no other function than weather protection is absolute rubbish.
Booked in when??:
We take 24x1 ton bags to Germany and have to use 36 straps (3 straps per 2 bags) on them and they are only allowed to go on our new trailers with the TUV sticker on the back…
It’s a right ball ache 
1 strap per 2 bags, ie 12 straps for the whole load, is perfectly sufficient to satisfy the sausage eating squareheads, particularly on a TÃœV certified trailer. If you want to really impress them, bung some anti slip matting under the pallets.
Somebody is winding you up.
Hope this helps
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Its about time VOSA started clamping down on load security. Far too many hauliers and drivers have so little respect for securing thier loads to their vehicles, using insufficent straps or chains, inproper lashing points, tired equipment etc… As for sheeting; its fine, but should only be used for keeping the load dry not holding it in place.
Rarely are ropes or rope hooks up to the job of keeping a load in place.
I stand by VOSA pulling guys hauling ton bags with little or nothing holding them in place. Shame they didn’t go a bit further.
nonsense
You show me a certifcate or some evidence (not just driver talk) that show’s these wonderful pieces of rope will hold anywhere near the weights you folks are expecting them to hold. You can’t because they’re are simply won’t. They might be perfectly good at holding something in place thats riding down the road, but you swerve of get into an accident… Your a braver man than me. As for rope hooks I’ve seen plenty broken off in my time because bosses and been too tight to put proper lashing point on a lorry and a strap or a chain has soon ripped them clean off!
Thats why they are called “rope hooks”
In the olden days,drivers actually used them when using rope.
And we used to use them to hold hay and straw, fert plastic and just about everything on. Unless it was steel or concrete, then we used chains and warwicks, nothing fell off except the odd driver.
matamoros:
However I’ve carried loads in box trailers that just weren’t possible to be sucured in the way that I would have done if I’d have been using a flat/curtainsider,or a tilt.Which is another of those grey areas that VOSA/HSE need to be looking into just like bags of bulk stuff being carried on flats and curtainsiders.
But it’s that inconvenient truth that sheets were never used to ‘cover’ loads on tilts but loads had to be ‘secured’ in just the same way as on a flat proves the argument that sheets are only there to keep the load dry in just the same way as a tilt cover is.
Carryfast
SENIOR MEMBER
Posts: 4878
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:45
I have also seen vans ‘burst’ with rolls of cloth stacked incorrectly, the van bodies not built to withstand a lot of outward pressure but that is a totally different issue as are tilts in relation to curtainsiders.Tilts are merely a way of suspending a waterproof cover over a load, the covers are not meant to act as load restraints, that is what the boards are for but not suitable for all loads.
Curtainsides have tension straps built in and havesome load restraining ability but not for every load, different loads need different methods of load restraint.
“sheets are only there to keep the load dry” - Rubbish, sheets have load bearing capacity and spread any outward force over a wider area but obviously needs to be under tension which can be applied by rope or staps. The combination of both a tight sheet and good roping will keep most loads on a flat.It’s all down to lb/sq. in and breaking strain, every system has its limitations but to say that sheets and side curtains have no other function than weather protection is absolute rubbish.
Like the wooden slats in the side of a tilt body would hold or stop zb all if it wanted to shift get real .The fact is that tilts were used on general haulage to carry exactly the same loads as others used roped and sheeted flats for.If those loads needed to be sheeted to help secure the load then the same would have applied in the case of the same load carried on the tilt .Which wasn’t the case.
The only difference between the two was that in the case of the flat the same ropes or straps also secured the sheet unlike in the case of the cover on a tilt.However the job of the cover in the case of the tilt and the sheet in the case of the flat was exactly the same.They were both there to keep the load dry and that was all.Which is why no one ever sheeted a load in a tilt to help keep it on the back.
Sheets certainly didn’t have any load bearing ability and were never meant to be used to secure the load just as is the case with curtains.That was what the ropes/straps were/are for.
However if you think I’m wrong just carry on and don’t listen and just argue your point with VOSA/HSE instead.
renaultman:
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Its about time VOSA started clamping down on load security. Far too many hauliers and drivers have so little respect for securing thier loads to their vehicles, using insufficent straps or chains, inproper lashing points, tired equipment etc… As for sheeting; its fine, but should only be used for keeping the load dry not holding it in place.
Rarely are ropes or rope hooks up to the job of keeping a load in place.
I stand by VOSA pulling guys hauling ton bags with little or nothing holding them in place. Shame they didn’t go a bit further.
nonsense
You show me a certifcate or some evidence (not just driver talk) that show’s these wonderful pieces of rope will hold anywhere near the weights you folks are expecting them to hold. You can’t because they’re are simply won’t. They might be perfectly good at holding something in place thats riding down the road, but you swerve of get into an accident… Your a braver man than me. As for rope hooks I’ve seen plenty broken off in my time because bosses and been too tight to put proper lashing point on a lorry and a strap or a chain has soon ripped them clean off!
Thats why they are called “rope hooks”
In the olden days,drivers actually used them when using rope.
And we used to use them to hold hay and straw, fert plastic and just about everything on. Unless it was steel or concrete, then we used chains and warwicks, nothing fell off except the odd driver.
The main difference with these loads were that they were loaded properly, instead of 20 big bags we had 800 sacks handballed on and tied together on a flat trailer, they were not sheeted to keep them dry, but to keep them on the trailer.
Bales were stacked & tied, fastened with length ropes and corner boards, the lateral ropes were there to tension the length ropes, and to give the monkey boy some way of getting onto the trailer to throw them down 
Carryfast:
Like the wooden slats in the side of a tilt body would hold or stop zb all if it wanted to shift get real .The fact is that tilts were used on general haulage to carry exactly the same loads as others used roped and sheeted flats for.If those loads needed to be sheeted to help secure the load then the same would have applied in the case of the same load carried on the tilt .Which wasn’t the case.
The only difference between the two was that in the case of the flat the same ropes or straps also secured the sheet unlike in the case of the cover on a tilt.However the job of the cover in the case of the tilt and the sheet in the case of the flat was exactly the same.They were both there to keep the load dry and that was all.Which is why no one ever sheeted a load in a tilt to help keep it on the back.
Sheets certainly didn’t have any load bearing ability and were never meant to be used to secure the load just as is the case with curtains.That was what the ropes/straps were/are for.
However if you think I’m wrong just carry on and don’t listen and just argue your point with VOSA/HSE instead.
Surprisingly you are wrong, especially about the tilts, The loads were fastened to the chassis or platform, the main reason for the wooden slats was as spreader bars for the superstructure and to support the sheets, you must remember the strip outs in the desert wnen you were on night trunk
Wheel Nut:
renaultman:
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Suedehead:
bluntman:
Its about time VOSA started clamping down on load security. Far too many hauliers and drivers have so little respect for securing thier loads to their vehicles, using insufficent straps or chains, inproper lashing points, tired equipment etc… As for sheeting; its fine, but should only be used for keeping the load dry not holding it in place.
Rarely are ropes or rope hooks up to the job of keeping a load in place.
I stand by VOSA pulling guys hauling ton bags with little or nothing holding them in place. Shame they didn’t go a bit further.
nonsense
You show me a certifcate or some evidence (not just driver talk) that show’s these wonderful pieces of rope will hold anywhere near the weights you folks are expecting them to hold. You can’t because they’re are simply won’t. They might be perfectly good at holding something in place thats riding down the road, but you swerve of get into an accident… Your a braver man than me. As for rope hooks I’ve seen plenty broken off in my time because bosses and been too tight to put proper lashing point on a lorry and a strap or a chain has soon ripped them clean off!
Thats why they are called “rope hooks”
In the olden days,drivers actually used them when using rope.
And we used to use them to hold hay and straw, fert plastic and just about everything on. Unless it was steel or concrete, then we used chains and warwicks, nothing fell off except the odd driver.
The main difference with these loads were that they were loaded properly, instead of 20 big bags we had 800 sacks handballed on and tied together on a flat trailer, they were not sheeted to keep them dry, but to keep them on the trailer.
Bales were stacked & tied, fastened with length ropes and corner boards, the lateral ropes were there to tension the length ropes, and to give the monkey boy some way of getting onto the trailer to throw them down
Aye. Used to put the laterals between the bales to get more tension on the length ropes. Our 4 wheelers all had barrel rails and we used to set pallets/big gabs etc on them with a slight gap in the middle so the load leant in over. Everything was diagonals over the back except animal feeds and plastics which were fully sheeted and roped. Same as the hay and straw in that front and back laterals were done 1st and then between the bags to get more tension. Who said sheets have no load bearing properties? :
Wheel Nut:
Carryfast:
Like the wooden slats in the side of a tilt body would hold or stop zb all if it wanted to shift get real .The fact is that tilts were used on general haulage to carry exactly the same loads as others used roped and sheeted flats for.If those loads needed to be sheeted to help secure the load then the same would have applied in the case of the same load carried on the tilt .Which wasn’t the case.
The only difference between the two was that in the case of the flat the same ropes or straps also secured the sheet unlike in the case of the cover on a tilt.However the job of the cover in the case of the tilt and the sheet in the case of the flat was exactly the same.They were both there to keep the load dry and that was all.Which is why no one ever sheeted a load in a tilt to help keep it on the back.
Sheets certainly didn’t have any load bearing ability and were never meant to be used to secure the load just as is the case with curtains.That was what the ropes/straps were/are for.
However if you think I’m wrong just carry on and don’t listen and just argue your point with VOSA/HSE instead.
Surprisingly you are wrong, especially about the tilts, The loads were fastened to the chassis or platform, the main reason for the wooden slats was as spreader bars for the superstructure and to support the sheets, you must remember the strip outs in the desert wnen you were on night trunk
It wasn’t me who said that the slats were there to secure the load it was actually someone who thinks that sheets are there to do that on a flat and and the curtains on a curtainsider and then to finish the job the slats on a tilt.
I didn’t need to zb about with tilts in the desert because I spent enough time doing the job on general haulage here because I wasn’t always a night trunker remember.The thing was absolutely no different to a flat in having all the required usual anchorage points along the sides and front and back for ropes and straps found on any flat.Luckily for most jobs it was an advantage in that I didn’t need to sheet the loads only rope them.Except for paper reels where the governor said he wanted it stripped and used as a flat in which case I had to use the tilt cover as a sheet to keep the load dry not to hold it on the back.
But if I’m wrong,regardless of how the loads were tied down on a flat or a tilt,and if the job of sheets is to help secure a load to a flat,then why wasn’t/isn’t the same required to secure the same load carried in a tilt 
.
Carryfast:
Wheel Nut:
Carryfast:
Like the wooden slats in the side of a tilt body would hold or stop zb all if it wanted to shift get real .The fact is that tilts were used on general haulage to carry exactly the same loads as others used roped and sheeted flats for.If those loads needed to be sheeted to help secure the load then the same would have applied in the case of the same load carried on the tilt .Which wasn’t the case.
The only difference between the two was that in the case of the flat the same ropes or straps also secured the sheet unlike in the case of the cover on a tilt.However the job of the cover in the case of the tilt and the sheet in the case of the flat was exactly the same.They were both there to keep the load dry and that was all.Which is why no one ever sheeted a load in a tilt to help keep it on the back.
Sheets certainly didn’t have any load bearing ability and were never meant to be used to secure the load just as is the case with curtains.That was what the ropes/straps were/are for.
However if you think I’m wrong just carry on and don’t listen and just argue your point with VOSA/HSE instead.
Surprisingly you are wrong, especially about the tilts, The loads were fastened to the chassis or platform, the main reason for the wooden slats was as spreader bars for the superstructure and to support the sheets, you must remember the strip outs in the desert wnen you were on night trunk
It wasn’t me who said that the slats were there to secure the load it was actually someone who thinks that sheets are there to do that on a flat and and the curtains on a curtainsider and then to finish the job the slats on a tilt.
I didn’t need to zb about with tilts in the desert because I spent enough time doing the job on general haulage here because I wasn’t always a night trunker remember.The thing was absolutely no different to a flat in having all the required usual anchorage points along the sides and front and back for ropes and straps found on any flat.Luckily for most jobs it was an advantage in that I didn’t need to sheet the loads only rope them.Except for paper reels where the governor said he wanted it stripped and used as a flat in which case I had to use the tilt cover as a sheet to keep the load dry not to hold it on the back.
But if I’m wrong,regardless of how the loads were tied down on a flat or a tilt,and if the job of sheets is to help secure a load to a flat,then why wasn’t/isn’t the same required to secure the same load carried in a tilt .
You are veering away from the thread again, the tilt body or superstructure was approved by customs to show that the load had not been tampered with by adding something, it wasn’t to stop theft it was sealed at all 4 corners with reinforced tapes, the TIR cord ran through the D rings and sealed at the ends, the tilt cover did offer some weather protection but no-one just loaded them without any restraints. I agree they were not sheeted under the tilt cover, but the loads were packed for safety and were secured as the distances covered were generally much further afield with less chance of being able to check the loads. It was much easier with spansets and signode strapping to secure the loads and trust in them staying secured
Your all making the mistake here of saying the sheets had only one use, ie Keeping the load dry or helping to secure the load, when of course they did both of these things and not just one or the other. There were plenty of loads moved around the country without being sheeted or roped and quite safely reached delivery points. Its a strange fact of life that 20 pallets could be loaded onto a Tautliner the curtains fastened and the vehicle drive off, yet that same load on a flat without anything to cover or hold it would to some look ‘dodgy’ and they wouldn’t risk moving without some restraint added. The skill and experience of the driver has to come into account too as the way in which the load has been put onto the trailer in the first place would decide what action to take.
Bags of different materials were loaded, usually handball, in such a way it wasn’t deemed neccesary to rope or sheet, bricks also and other goods for many years were moved in this way. If you had twenty pallets of castings that were loaded loose you wouldn’t expect to put a rope over each one, you would sheet it and rope between the pallets, therefore the sheet would help in securing the load by keeping the castings still, an advantage the flat had over the tilt or taut, this same load in them would not be stacked as neatly as at the beginning. Common sense is a great advantage but it seems to be lacking a lot thesedays. Franky.
Peter Wells:
What make me laugh so much is. The bags travel well but if there not going to fall off the side why put a strap around the rear bag? Are they not close to the back of the trailer like the side? no there often not. So again why strap the rear bags Lol. You would have more chance them coming off side if some thing was to happen and you had lets say turn sharp more than you stting off and thowing them oof the back. I think you could have a 700 BHP FH and still not have enough power to do it lol
Regards
Peter
yes but imagine you are in steepest Devon in a piddly 420 and begin to run out of power going up a hill. Once you have to stop to engage the crawler and as you let the clutch out she begins to roll back into the following cars and you have to jump on the brakes.
Frankydobo:
Your all making the mistake here of saying the sheets had only one use, ie Keeping the load dry or helping to secure the load, when of course they did both of these things and not just one or the other. There were plenty of loads moved around the country without being sheeted or roped and quite safely reached delivery points. Its a strange fact of life that 20 pallets could be loaded onto a Tautliner the curtains fastened and the vehicle drive off, yet that same load on a flat without anything to cover or hold it would to some look ‘dodgy’ and they wouldn’t risk moving without some restraint added. The skill and experience of the driver has to come into account too as the way in which the load has been put onto the trailer in the first place would decide what action to take.
Bags of different materials were loaded, usually handball, in such a way it wasn’t deemed neccesary to rope or sheet, bricks also and other goods for many years were moved in this way. If you had twenty pallets of castings that were loaded loose you wouldn’t expect to put a rope over each one, you would sheet it and rope between the pallets, therefore the sheet would help in securing the load by keeping the castings still, an advantage the flat had over the tilt or taut, this same load in them would not be stacked as neatly as at the beginning. Common sense is a great advantage but it seems to be lacking a lot thesedays. Franky.
Common sense as in the sense of loads being moved around the country on a flats/curtainsiders/tilts without being secured is mainly how all the issues with VOSA/HSE have rightly arisen.If you had twenty pallets of heavy castings all loaded loose on the pallets the skill and experience of the driver in my case said they didn’t move until they get put in correct stillages with strong and high enough cage around them to stop the zb’s moving and then it’s a case of securing the stillages correctly.Which coincidentally is one of the types of load which I carried on that tilt trailer.
The fact is a sheet isn’t meant as a method of load security just like a tilt cover isn’t and just like the curtains on a curtain sider aren’t and that’s how VOSA will see it if they find a truck loaded with anything that relies on a sheet,curtains,or a tilt cover to do the job of securing a load in any way shape or form and roping or strapping between palletloads of castings or paper reels etc etc,with the sheet doing the actual job of holding them,fits that description.Simples.