TEA PAM 55-20 Tiedown Handbook for Truck - Military Surface ...

FOURTH EDITION SDDCTEA PAMPHLET 55-20
SECTION III. GENERAL FLATBED
SEMITRAILER LOADS
A. TIEDOWN WITH CHAINS
Sometimes you may have to secure loads that are not listed in this book on flatbed
semitrailers. Tiedown operations are simpler if you use chains and loadbinders instead of
wire ropes and clamps. You should refer to the figures in section III as a general guide.
Modify those procedures if necessary, to secure to the cargo or cargo vehicle.
Figure 64 shows the different types of loadbinders. Tables 3 and 4 show stock
numbers for some loadbinders and chains. Loadbinders are described and specified in
Federal Specification GGG-B-325. The ratchet loadbinder can achieve significantly
greater tiedown forces than the other types of loadbinders. Of the loadbinders shown, the
ratchet and type IV are the safest. Other types of loadbinders may spring back with great
force upon release. If you must use them, be very careful when releasing them. Stay
clear of the swing-path of the loadbinder handle.
If you cannot position your load snugly against a gooseneck, use chains to provide
enough forward restraint. Figure 65 provides general guidance on how many chains to
use. In most cases, one additional pair of chains running from the aft tiedown provision
of the payload vehicle to the semitrailer will be enough. If available, you should attach
the chains to D-rings on the semitrailer. On semitrailers without D-rings, you can usually
attach the chain to stake pockets (fig 66).
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