Is this illegal or inadvisable?
Caught on my dashcam on an agency job - he was loaded in the same company I was working for that day.
Maybe I’m mistaken but on my CPC course after we watched the video on the unfortunate lady who was crushed by such a container after the ratchet straps failed - the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
foresttrucker:
Is this illegal or inadvisable?Caught on my dashcam on an agency job - he was loaded in the same company I was working for that day.
Maybe I’m mistaken but on my CPC course after we watched the video on the unfortunate lady who was crushed by such a container after the ratchet straps failed - the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
you can get flatbeds with twist locks built in.
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pickandmix:
foresttrucker:
Is this illegal or inadvisable?Caught on my dashcam on an agency job - he was loaded in the same company I was working for that day.
Maybe I’m mistaken but on my CPC course after we watched the video on the unfortunate lady who was crushed by such a container after the ratchet straps failed - the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
you can get flatbeds with twist locks built in.
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No wonder you’re struggling.
pickandmix:
]you can get flatbeds with twist locks built in.
Exactly, which is why I posed the question, is it illegal to move even empty containers with no twistlocks.
A 40ft box weighs 4 metric ton, so in theory 4 xratchet straps is sufficient if each is rated at 2 ton.
Perfectly legal. 2 (presumably) 5 ton straps on an empty box weighing 3.88 ton. The only unadvisable thing wrong is the door isn’t secured properly 
Out of interest, how would you secure an empty wooden crate?
the nodding donkey:
pickandmix:
foresttrucker:
Is this illegal or inadvisable?Caught on my dashcam on an agency job - he was loaded in the same company I was working for that day.
Maybe I’m mistaken but on my CPC course after we watched the video on the unfortunate lady who was crushed by such a container after the ratchet straps failed - the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
you can get flatbeds with twist locks built in.
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No wonder you’re struggling.
whats that meant to mean
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Also, no cross straps.
Curtainsider drivers are told to cross strap even pallets of breakfast cereal!
Looks sketchy to me having just 4 polyester straps on a top heavy metal box but what do I know.
foresttrucker:
Maybe I’m mistaken but on my CPC course after we watched the video on the unfortunate lady who was crushed by such a container after the ratchet straps failed - the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
Pure rubbish and poppycock. Us cabin boys haul all shapes and sizes of boxes including wide and rear overhang that are just secured with 5 tonne ratchet straps. Been pulled by VOSA and the only comment I had was that they didnt want the ratchet secured to the rope hook but to attach to the frame of the flatbed. After adjusting the straps they were happy and away I went.
msgyorkie:
Been pulled by VOSA and the only comment I had was that they didnt want the ratchet secured to the rope hook but to attach to the frame of the flatbed. After adjusting the straps they were happy and away I went.
Fair enough, definitive answer!
foresttrucker:
Also, no cross straps.Curtainsider drivers are told to cross strap even pallets of breakfast cereal!
Looks sketchy to me having just 4 polyester straps on a top heavy metal box but what do I know.
Would that be those same straps that are quite proven to be able to hold down metal, roundwood, sawn timber, chipboard, spud boxes, 4m high pallets, bricks, slabs, telegraph poles, concrete and anything else you can think of? But god forbid they be used on a cube of metal.
To answer your question of what do you know, not very much it would seem.
A.
foresttrucker:
- the course teacher said that containers can ONLY be transported with twistlocks.
I’ll let you into a secret mate, some stuff ‘‘taught’’ at dcpc sessions is pure ■■■■■■■■…but shhh, don’t tell anybody. 
Of course it’s legal, why wouldn’t it be.
I’m not sure about the legality of chains nowadays, but we used to regularly back load empty containers with a couple of chains chucked over.
I’m not too sure about chains either.
Problem with chains is that they can have a weak point which you can’t see until the bloody chain breaks.
With straps you can see weak parts developing.
I had several transporters with chains in the early years, had several chains break with no obvious defects, never had a strap break…have known those who have had them break but they were neglectful rushing fools and their straps looked like mangled bits of old rope twisted and frayed and they were too thick to realise a strap rubbing on a sharp edge just might fray through on a journey 
several have lost cars on the motorway through their neglect no other reason, one bloke in particular i know has lost several vehicles due to rushing about and neglect.
On that subject, OK unless you have a ladder it might be a bit difficult to reach to put something on the corner of a container to stop the strap from being rubbed, but why do i see so many straps tight as drum over sharp load edges these days, incompetence.
Perfectly legal.
Only time you can’t do this is if it was a loaded container.
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mat79:
Only time you can’t do this is if it was a loaded container.Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
Why is that then ? (Provided the container and it’s contents do not weigh more than the allowable payload of the trailer, and the load inside is secure).
Serious question as I have done it, albeit only with 20’ers. Just used loads of straps.
You can do it with a loaded container too, but then you would need chains crossed from the top castings, you do not have to have twistlocks, they’re just a convenience, not a legal requirement.
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As far as I’m aware it’s something to do with construction and use regulations. Although I’m happy for someone to tell me I’m wrong.
I understand where your coming from tho.
What’s the difference if it was a 25 ton steel machine etc…
Just what ive always been led to believe
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Just had a read up on it.
It’s not illegal just regarded as bad practice.
Found this below…
The operator is confronted with a number of problems when attempting to carry ISO containers on vehicles not equipped with twist locks. Unlike normal box type loads that spread their weight over a large area, containers are designed to stand on the twist lock sockets or feet that protrude down at each corner. With heavy containers this produces high point loading that could over-stress a normal platform floor. Other platform vehicles may have raised or wide section side ledges which would prevent the container from resting on the platform floor. The resultant interface between the side ledges and the container feet would offer little frictional resistance making it virtually impossible to secure the container on to the vehicle safely and the practice should be avoided.
Department of Transport 2007
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It was made illegal many years ago in the UK, as stated already most flat beds have twist locks built into them.
Always been legal for an empty container. If it’s loaded then it must be on a skelly or flatbed with working twistlocks.
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Pat Hasler:
It was made illegal many years ago in the UK, as stated already most flat beds have twist locks built into them.
Complete bullshine, please show me a link to this law please.
