Gravity, 5 straps and 4 side bars each side. Is this adequate for RSJ beams and box section steel? The headboard didn’t look solid either. I suppose that if the steel gets to the destination without incident then you could argue yes but, having never hauled steel, it seems a little lacking and would have thought that chains were the better option.
Comments please.
Vosa would look at it, check their handbook, and if it doesn,t come up to their spec, then…its an insecure load.
I haul steel out of Tata and they have 4 chain minimum depending on load.
The days of looking at your load and forming your own opinion are gone. It must be up tp vosa spec.
personally i would use chains on that load
from what i can see, the steel is higher than the headboard, which isn’t a good idea.
straps are ok, but they should attach to the chassis, not the rope hooks.
you’re right, chains would be the better option.
and he hasn’t put any rubber,carpet, or cardboard under the straps to stop them chafing.
he could have use the lose end of the straps underneath the securing part of the strap if he didn’t have any cardboard.
The only thing I can see wrong with that load or the securing is, as stated above, some of the load is above the headboard. Not nice if you come to a sudden stop. Chains or anything else (apart from welding the whole lot together to the trailer) wouldn’t stop it from joining you in the cab.
lgamston:
personally i would use chains on that load
MMTM that the polish use cable ties. 
From what I can see on the VOSA matrix this would result in a PROHIBITION. Biggest issue being the load above the headboard and from what I can see no forward restraint because of this.
As for chains or straps … I’d use straps with this kind of load. More chance of them staying tight. A correctly tensioned strap will stretch up to 20% meaning if the load settles you have that little bit of extra tension that might still hold the load. A chain would simple go loose if the load shifted. Obviously the straps may need protecting from the edges of the load.
I can see 5 ratchet straps but I’m guessing there are probably 7 or 8 on the whole load. Each assemly appears to be a 2.5t lashing capacity or rated assembly strengh - therefore about 2t of force being applied. The load needs securing to 100% of it’s weight in a forward direction and 50% sideways and backwards - so not enough straps in my opinion - but I don’t know the weight of the load. Obviously the side pins and headboard count fdor some of the load containment.
At this rate there will be sod all allowed to be transported by road, VOSAs so called matrix is a load of cobblers (yes I have looked at it), all you would need on that load with the exception for my personal preference of a higher head bord would be 4 chains.
Hombre:
At this rate there will be sod all allowed to be transported by road, VOSAs so called matrix is a load of cobblers (yes I have looked at it), all you would need on that load with the exception for my personal preference of a higher head bord would be 4 chains.
If the were chains rated at 5t lashing capacity/rated assembly strength and the load was a 20t load then maybe so - with the higher headboard. But in this instance I am quite sure they are 2.5t ratchet assemblies (most are) and therefore not enough load restraint.
Personally I find chains are often loose once the load settles, whereby webbing straps retain the tension a lot better - but not always
The VOSA matrix is not a load of cobblers … it makes sense and also gives drivers and companies an idea what is required.
The only thing that concerns me about that load is the lack of packing under the straps.
Steel always settles so whatever restraint you use would become loose… but you always stop and recheck after a few miles and every 90mins or so anyway, don’t you?
raymundo:
The only thing I can see wrong with that load or the securing is, as stated above, some of the load is above the headboard. Not nice if you come to a sudden stop. Chains or anything else (apart from welding the whole lot together to the trailer) wouldn’t stop it from joining you in the cab.
I agree, thats what i see too.
Straps on that load someones feeling brave,you wouldnt of got me taking it out thats for sue especially with the height of it ,over the headboard I bet it wasnt loaded at a Tata site as they want chains for loads like that nowadays .
Andydisco:
Straps on that load someones feeling brave,you wouldnt of got me taking it out thats for sue especially with the height of it ,over the headboard I bet it wasnt loaded at a Tata site as they want chains for loads like that nowadays .
^ + 1
The headboard needs to be higher and also make sure that it’s built to withstand the type of forward forces which a load like that could apply to it and that it hasn’t got any gaps which would allow any of the beams to get through it.
Even then it’s asking a lot of any headboard design to be able to stand up to those forces in which case a lot of the securing in the fore and aft plane is still going to be dependent on the amount of clamping force between load and trailer applied by the chains.If it was me I’d chain down the lower row first then the top row with more chains instead of relying on one lot of chains over the top of both rows to hold the lot. 
No forward restraint on the upper part of the load would be the biggest concern, chains placed under the chassis of the trailer at least 4 of, the problem is whatever you restrain the load with a good stamp on the brakes has a good chance of killing you.
The height and strength of the headboard would be the issue for me. It also looks like at least one strap is on the side rave.
I did used to move warehouse pallet racking which had a painted finished and would easily slide about but the factory put this thin foam material inbetween and as long as it was reasonably well strapped down it would never move even if it wasn’t against the headboard.
in a dead stop RTA that load will join you in the cab,but to be honest a lot of loads go through the headboards in rta’s.including caged loads,concrete sections parcel loads etc.
maybe a little more concentration from vosa on the design of trailer headboards is in order.
From the signage on the mudflap the lorry is owned by one of the biggest steel stockholders in south wales somore than likely the driver has had some inhouse training in how to secure the load
We haul similar loads out of tata in scunthorpe and they expect 4 chains minimum and two of them have to be belly wrapped with a stretcher on both sides.
I wouldnt dare take that load out as it is. I love my family and I want to get home every night.
Where can I view the holy writ that is the VOSA matrix please, Ineed education and can you take it as a dcpc module ?
Jim
I would take it.