Following on from my axles question… the gents that have done steel - and now frightened the life out of me, have mentioned about the load shooting forward… is there anywhere written down about the legalities on having a reinforced head board, or that you cant load above its height ?
All i can find is where head boards if fitted are referred to as they can be used as part of the load restraint system… so a skele would not have a head board would it… but round here alot of them use skele’s to pull steel, so they could get a grater payload… but your working on a wing and a prayer by the sound of it…
Just the one wing and no more than half a prayer, matey!
Most of the older chaps will remember when regular steel carriers had reinforced headboards but the strength of trailers reduced over the years in the search for more and more payload, leaving the driver to make his own decisions as to how to ensure the safety of his load.
Best advice is to use your head when loading and securing your load. Experience will help but don’t be afraid to take your time- every time you throw a chain, strap or rope over your load, play the devil’s advocate and imagine what COULD happen. Eventually you will realize that if it looks right, it probably IS right. I was comparitively lucky in that, when I started in the industry, there was a lot less traffic on the roads and I could make the odd minor mistake and get away with it, thus adding to my knowledge and experience. You lads don’t have the same luxury today- there is much more potential for injuring (or worse) yourself or others.
And, of course, you will pilot your craft with the appropriate care when carrying stuff which you are unsure of.
Jenson Button:
Following on from my axles question… the gents that have done steel - and now frightened the life out of me, have mentioned about the load shooting forward… is there anywhere written down about the legalities on having a reinforced head board, or that you cant load above its height ?
All i can find is where head boards if fitted are referred to as they can be used as part of the load restraint system… so a skele would not have a head board would it… but round here alot of them use skele’s to pull steel, so they could get a grater payload… but your working on a wing and a prayer by the sound of it…
One way to help steel to stay put on the trl is when loading make sure[were poss]to load it on timbers.Each layer as you go lay timbers between,carrying it steel on steel is lethal in my opinion,not always poss with big pieces like rsj,s but there again they weigh that much you don’t usually go above h/board height.
regards dave
It probably won’t do you any harm to be a bit nervous, Jenson. It could save you being over confident and too familiar. Your attention to detail will turn you into a “proper” driver!