How do you calculate tie down restraints?

Deciding what type of tie down and how many you need to use to secure your load has a few variables. Consider the following:

Anchor Point - Where will you attach your tie down strap, chain, or otherwise? Does it already exist on your truck or trailer, or will it need to be installed. If installing an anchor point, you should make sure you choose one that has the appropriate working load limit to handle the item you are hauling. An anchor point can be a d ring, a hook, a recessed pan fitting, or anything that is securely fastened to the transport vehicle or trailer.

What are you hauling? If you are a professional, for hire driver, you can check with your state department of transportation and determine the rules and regulations for transporting cargo. If you are hauling something smaller on a hobby trailer or pickup truck, use basic common sense and also consider these things.

Secure all corners of the item you are hauling. For example it is always a good idea (and required in most states) to secure a vehicle on a trailer in 4 places. the vehicle should be secure and should not shift in any direction. Simply strapping down the front and rear axle is not enough. this is true whether your trailer is open or enclosed. Always tie a vehicle down with at least 4 tie downs.

If you are a professional driver, follow all DOT regulations. If you need to know where to find these, check with your local DOT, or check with this company www.USCargoControl.com .

In general if you don't know, go overboard and keep the highway safe.