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.
Or no straps at all at some places.
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 ?
sub the load out and take 30 % handling fee 
robroy:
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,lolI’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
one word OUCH
I have always preferred to have my dogs, strap,. dollies on the drivers side so can keep an eye on when they getting slack- but what do I know compared to someone who has an HSE qualification. Not like I have ever actually moved prefab steel
I very often use 2 ratchets per ■■■■■■■■ high load .
Punchy Dan:
I very often use 2 ratchets per ■■■■■■■■ high load .
hmmm, not quite getting this? are you meaning one on either side so as to not to tilt the load by tightening.
Bluey Circles:
are you meaning one on either side so as to not to tilt the load by tightening.
The only way that you’ll get an unequal pull on either side is if the chain/strap is fouling anywhere between the tensioner side and opposite anchorage point.In which case that’s an insecure load anyway because it will be relatively loose on one side.So it makes no difference if all the tensioners are on one side or not.
Although it’s difficult to understand how roping can be done anything other than the dollies being on alternating sides.Other than with seperate individal lengths of rope on each hook. 
As for being able to see loose straps and chains there are plenty of types of load and anchorage points where the securing is all totally invisible anyway being inboard of the sides,front and rear.
Bluey Circles:
Punchy Dan:
I very often use 2 ratchets per ■■■■■■■■ high load .hmmm, not quite getting this? are you meaning one on either side so as to not to tilt the load by tightening.
You got it ,and some times the construction of items carried is such that the top edges will not stand the amount of tension required to tighten the slack side so I find it best to slip a ratchet on each end .
.cf you really do type some rubbish if you’d done as many flat loads as rubbish you’d typed you might know what you are talking about .
Carryfast:
The only way that you’ll get an unequal pull on either side is if the chain/strap is fouling anywhere between the tensioner side and opposite anchorage point
The BSEN 12195-1 standard acknowledges that in most cases with over strapping there will be a loss of tension of up to half between the ratchet side and the other side.
The German standard VDI 2700 tells us the maximum tension on the side opposite the ratchet will be 0.8 of that on the ratchet side so it seems to be accepted that equal tension side to side will be difficult to obtain which will effectively reduce the efficiency of the straps in supplying sufficient downward force to secure the load effectively. This in turn causes ‘settling’ of the straps and a loss of tension.
Placing a ratchet on each side on the same webbing is acknowledged as an effective manner of helping achieving equal tension on both sides.
Punchy Dan:
.cf you really do type some rubbish if you’d done as many flat loads as rubbish you’d typed you might know what you are talking about .
Ironically both Rikki and the DVSA seem to be in agreement with me not you.Their issues obviously being ‘which side’ the tensioners are all on not alternating or both sides.
On that note I’ve obviously done enough flat loads to know that if the tension on one side is less than the other then you’ve got a problem that has absolutely zb all to do with which side the tensioner is.I’ve probably also done as many where the chains are totally out of sight,under and behind the load and well inboard from the sides,as those where the chains/straps/ropes aren’t. 
shep532:
Carryfast:
The only way that you’ll get an unequal pull on either side is if the chain/strap is fouling anywhere between the tensioner side and opposite anchorage pointThe BSEN 12195-1 standard acknowledges that in most cases with over strapping there will be a loss of tension of up to half between the ratchet side and the other side.
The German standard VDI 2700 tells us the maximum tension on the side opposite the ratchet will be 0.8 of that on the ratchet side so it seems to be accepted that equal tension side to side will be difficult to obtain which will effectively reduce the efficiency of the straps in supplying sufficient downward force to secure the load effectively. This in turn causes ‘settling’ of the straps and a loss of tension.
Placing a ratchet on each side on the same webbing is acknowledged as an effective manner of helping achieving equal tension on both sides.
Make their minds up it’s either 0.2 loss or 0.5.If it’s right it would obviously mean equal/double amounts of strap/chain tensioners or dollies on both sides having been common practice long before now.
What CF? 2 separate standards/guides not agreeing on something? Surely not.
Although if you hadn’t made up a “fact”/assumption to start off with this particular bag of snakes would be a bit straighter.
Carryfast:
Make their minds up it’s either 0.2 loss or 0.5.If it’s right it would obviously mean equal/double amounts of strap/chain tensioners or dollies on both sides having been common practice long before now.
I really don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all when it comes to securing a load. many different tactics are needed for many different load types, many many years of experience is needed to know what and how to use where. If the straps/ropes can easily slide on the top then there will be very little tension difference from each side, on the other hand some structures don’t allow that and tightening sympathetically from each side is the only solution.
if ever the saying horses for courses can be coined, then loading a flat bed is it.
F-reds:
What CF? 2 separate standards/guides not agreeing on something? Surely not.Although if you hadn’t made up a “fact”/assumption to start off with this particular bag of snakes would be a bit straighter.
It’s a reasonable ‘fact’ that anyone using double the amount of chain/strap tensioners to tie down a load equally on both sides,would be the exception rather than the rule.As for roping a load using equal amounts of dollies on both sides. 
Not the made up “fact” I was eluding to. But you knew that. Carry on old son. But if you’re not right, just keep waffling on until everyone loses interest. And the will to live. Totally.
Bluey Circles:
If the straps/ropes can easily slide on the top then there will be very little tension difference from each side, on the other hand some structures don’t allow that and tightening sympathetically from each side is the only solution.
if ever the saying horses for courses can be coined, then loading a flat bed is it.
I could maybe understand the advantage in a few specific cases but in general trying to deal with a rope/strap/chain fouling issue,by applying more tension on the opposite side,can only logically solve nothing.While being virtually impossible in the days of roping with dollies.
Carryfast:
Bluey Circles:
If the straps/ropes can easily slide on the top then there will be very little tension difference from each side, on the other hand some structures don’t allow that and tightening sympathetically from each side is the only solution.
if ever the saying horses for courses can be coined, then loading a flat bed is it.I could maybe understand the advantage in a few specific cases but in general trying to deal with a rope/strap/chain fouling issue,by applying more tension on the opposite side,can only logically solve nothing.While being virtually impossible in the days of roping with dollies.
Time consuming maybe but very do-able; prepare a dolly or maybe a more stable pulley knot (i can’t think what they are called) on near side, throw the rope over, tie a dolly on off side and half tighten, back to near side tighten up, then back to off side … then stand at rear and check load is vertical, if not adjust it until its plumb.
Bluey Circles:
Time consuming maybe but very do-able; prepare a dolly or maybe a more stable pulley knot (i can’t think what they are called) on near side, throw the rope over, tie a dolly on off side and half tighten, back to near side tighten up,
If I’ve read it right we’ve got to tie a dolly feet first to the hook in a loose length of rope then hope it will stay together as we throw the rope over and tie another one the other side.
Blimey what could possibly go wrong.Hopefully someone could show this theory in practice on youtube.This is a job for Bewick if ever there was one.Although to be fair only after he’s shown us how to end up with all the dollies on one side. 
Carryfast:
Bluey Circles:
Time consuming maybe but very do-able; prepare a dolly or maybe a more stable pulley knot (i can’t think what they are called) on near side, throw the rope over, tie a dolly on off side and half tighten, back to near side tighten up,
If I’ve read it right we’ve got to tie a dolly feet first to the hook in a loose length of rope then hope it will stay together as we throw the rope over and tie another one the other side.
Blimey what could possibly go wrong.Hopefully someone could show this theory in practice on youtube.This is a job for Bewick if ever there was one.
You wouldn’t have to tie it loose, put a clove hitch on first with a good length tail … chuck over and on other side put dolly hitch on, back to original side, gently loosen off clove and form dolly whilst not letting rope go too slack - easy peasy
And if that wasn’t working too well use one of those pulley hitches where you form the bite in the rope, don’t know what its called but its not the dolly or the sheepshank, but its still a hitch. they don’t so easily fall to bits when not tight.
Yeh it would be time consuming, but if it is an unusual thing you’re carrying then you need to get inventive - makes the day interesting.