Punchy Dan:
Tris:
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted, but not to be defeated he was told to make sure in future the ratchets were positioned on the near side so that if they needed adjusting he wouldn’t be in the flow of traffic. Tbf it’s not something I’d thought about but it does make sense what he said.Sounds like rubbish to me ,didn’t you know they don’t need adjusting ,not even on fertiliser !!!
They do on timber !!!
dcgpx:
chunk:
I only haul steel and try to get all ratchets on the n/s but you have to strap the load so that it is secure. Also, any one who thinks that straps won’t need adjusting/tightening on route shouldn’t be using ratchet strapsI was always told steel needed chains and not to use straps? Your pix only show you using straps? Or is it because you have the upright supports in?
Or was it a myth I was being told.
Company only supply straps so that is what I use! Would prefer chains myself. No law to say u must use chains on steel tho!
pierrot 14:
Tris:
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted, but not to be defeated he was told to make sure in future the ratchets were positioned on the near side so that if they needed adjusting he wouldn’t be in the flow of traffic. Tbf it’s not something I’d thought about but it does make sense what he said.So if I load in Europe, what would you suggest be the best/safest side of the trailer that I should place the ratchets ?
The answer would be to find a safe place to swap them over once in the UK.
I have always strapped alternatively, one ratchet one side, the next on the other. i feel that it restrains evenly and not all of the straps are then pulling one way. A bit like roping and sheeting, the dollies are alternating left and right.
pierrot 14:
Tris:
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted, but not to be defeated he was told to make sure in future the ratchets were positioned on the near side so that if they needed adjusting he wouldn’t be in the flow of traffic. Tbf it’s not something I’d thought about but it does make sense what he said.So if I load in Europe, what would you suggest be the best/safest side of the trailer that I should place the ratchets ?
That’s what I was trying to say.
Its common sense to have the ratchets on the near side no matter what the load is, you just never know.
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted
Dvsa bull ■■■■ along with driver bull ■■■■.
dcgpx:
I was always told steel needed chains and not to use straps?Or was it a myth I was being told.
I have hauled steel for many operators, including RSJ’s, box sections, piping, bright and black bar, cut steel sheets etc and have never used a chain. Or to be more precise those hauliers don’t possess any chains.
Obviously you just have to use common sense and strap down onto timber battens if you have sharp edges that are in direct contact with the straps. Trouble with chains is that they can not only mark the load, but some places won’t even allow you on the back of your truck to fit them, unless you have a fall restraint system in place.
To slightly deviate is it ok to secure two double stacked stillages with a combined weight of 440kg with two internal straps? I’ve been instructed to do this but I’m not convinced it’s ok.
I strap down the o/s because 99% of places I go to tip from the o/s so I only need to open one curtain or at the most, undo the buckles on the other side.
Should I have a ‘both sided’ load on I’ll ratchet the o/s out of habit. If DVSA stopped me and wsnted them on the n/s they’re more than welcome to take them all off and put them back on again.
A.
Tris:
To slightly deviate is it ok to secure two double stacked stillages with a combined weight of 440kg with two internal straps? I’ve been instructed to do this but I’m not convinced it’s ok.
I go on the basis if in doubt strap it 
I’d rather spend a few extra minuets removing a strap than explaining why there’s some thing poking through the curtain
blue estate:
Punchy Dan:
Tris:
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted, but not to be defeated he was told to make sure in future the ratchets were positioned on the near side so that if they needed adjusting he wouldn’t be in the flow of traffic. Tbf it’s not something I’d thought about but it does make sense what he said.Sounds like rubbish to me ,didn’t you know they don’t need adjusting ,not even on fertiliser !!!
You’ve not hauled timber then ?
I was actually taking the pi$$ with regard to the time when the what was new vosa regs came out to do with load security and yes m8 ive done timber in every shape and form from cutting it down in the forest and loading my self and others to deliving windows doors and 3 by 2 .
if this did happen then I would suggest Robroy has the right answer - tell the DVSA guy to mind his own business.
There are valid arguments that having the ratchets on the N/S can cause unnecessary danger in some circumstances. If the camber of the road in the UK generally leans the vehicle to the N/S and the load has ‘settled’ or shifted there is an increased chance of the load falling towards the driver when he is trying to re secure it - because of the camber of the road. The same argument could be used to say when removing straps there is a higher chance of the load falling to the N/S if the vehicle is affected by the camber of the road.
I would also suggest a well loaded and secured load will not necessarily settle and therefore straps won’t need re tightening. Of course loads do settle but is the roadside the right place to be dealing with it?
There is also guidance that suggests the tensioners should be alternated if this would make the load more secure.
So in other words it depends on circumstances.
Sounds to me like a DVSA guy who couldn’t find anything wrong but just had to have the last word. Typical. 
pierrot 14:
Tris:
Was talking to a driver who got pulled over and he’d got it all ratcheted, but not to be defeated he was told to make sure in future the ratchets were positioned on the near side so that if they needed adjusting he wouldn’t be in the flow of traffic. Tbf it’s not something I’d thought about but it does make sense what he said.So if I load in Europe, what would you suggest be the best/safest side of the trailer that I should place the ratchets ?
Safest/best option would be to hide in your cab on the ferry or train and then when under way sneak out and unstrap the load and then re-strap it on the other side, this has the added benefit of you can then fire up your gas burner and cook some nosh and have a brew without having to sit with all those other smelly truckers in the restaurant.
glad ratchets took over,when it was roping I tightened the rope using a dolly knot unfortunately I had both my hands in front of me and it had been raining as I pulled the rope tight my hands slipped up straight onto the bridge of my nose,i heard a slight crack but no blood,i was out of it for about 5 min,could hardly see,if any driver came close to breaking their own nose that was it,thank Christ for ratchet straps is all I can say,lol
straps ■■
truckman020:
glad ratchets took over,when it was roping I tightened the rope using a dolly knot unfortunately I had both my hands in front of me and it had been raining as I pulled the rope tight my hands slipped up straight onto the bridge of my nose,i heard a slight crack but no blood,i was out of it for about 5 min,could hardly see,if any driver came close to breaking their own nose that was it,thank Christ for ratchet straps is all I can say,lol
I’ve often landed on my arse in a puddle in the past when tying (bad) dolly hitches.
I also learned a long time ago when pulling my curtains back (ooher Mrs) in the wind, to keep my lips tight shut after getting a bat in the top teeth off a flying buckle 
I ■■■■■■■■ drivers side as if the tails come loose I can see them quicker and easier in the mirror . I drive a low loader and have strapped like this for over 30 year . And not going to change now
Twoninety88:
I have always strapped alternatively, one ratchet one side, the next on the other. i feel that it restrains evenly and not all of the straps are then pulling one way. A bit like roping and sheeting, the dollies are alternating left and right.
I always strap offside. My theory being the camber of the roads and the direction we go round roundabouts will put force to the nearside so by applying the ratchet to the offside it counteracts it.
I also like to be facing the traffic when fiddling with my straps as 1) I think it makes drivers more aware when they can see a person not just a lorry and 2) if I do get killed I want the ■■■■ who kills me to see my face for the rest of their life.
