CLP Transporting Cargo Safely 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum working load limit (WLL) that tie-downs must have in aggregate relative to the cargo they secure?
- Equal to 25% of the cargo weight
- Equal to 50% of the cargo weight
- Equal to the total cargo weight (Correct answer)
- Equal to twice the cargo weight
Correct answer: Equal to the total cargo weight
The aggregate WLL of all tie-downs securing a cargo load must be at least equal to the total weight of that cargo.
Question 2: A load of lumber is stacked 6 feet high on a flatbed. What is the main safety concern with this configuration?
- The lumber may absorb moisture
- A high center of gravity increases rollover risk (Correct answer)
- Lumber requires refrigeration to prevent warping
- The load may exceed length regulations
Correct answer: A high center of gravity increases rollover risk
A tall, high-stacked load raises the vehicle's center of gravity, significantly increasing the risk of rollover, especially during turns or sudden maneuvers.
Question 3: What does the term 'dunnage' refer to in cargo loading?
- The paperwork required for hazardous materials
- Loose material used to support and protect cargo (Correct answer)
- The maximum legal cargo weight
- A type of cargo strap with a ratchet mechanism
Correct answer: Loose material used to support and protect cargo
Dunnage is material (such as boards, mats, or airbags) placed under or between cargo items to protect the load and keep it stable.
Question 4: If cargo extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle, what must be displayed?
- A yellow caution cone
- A red flag or red light visible from 500 feet (Correct answer)
- Orange triangles on the rear of the trailer
- A slow-moving vehicle emblem
Correct answer: A red flag or red light visible from 500 feet
Cargo extending more than 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle must be marked with a red flag (at least 12 inches square) and a red light visible from 500 feet at night.
Question 5: Which factor does NOT affect how many tie-downs are required for a piece of cargo?
- The weight of the cargo
- The length of the cargo
- The color of the cargo (Correct answer)
- The type of cargo being secured
Correct answer: The color of the cargo
The number of required tie-downs is determined by cargo weight, length, and type — the color of the cargo has no bearing on securement requirements.
Question 6: At what angle should tie-down straps be applied relative to the trailer bed for maximum effectiveness?
- Perfectly horizontal (0 degrees)
- At a 45-degree angle when possible (Correct answer)
- Perfectly vertical (90 degrees)
- At a 10-degree angle only
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle when possible
Tie-down straps applied at approximately 45 degrees provide the best combination of downward clamping force and horizontal restraint force.
Question 7: What should a driver do if cargo shifts while driving on the highway?
- Continue driving but slow down to the next exit
- Accelerate to stabilize the vehicle through momentum
- Pull safely off the road as soon as possible and re-secure the load (Correct answer)
- Swerve gently to redistribute the load
Correct answer: Pull safely off the road as soon as possible and re-secure the load
A shifted load must be addressed immediately — the driver should pull safely off the road, inspect the load, and properly re-secure it before continuing.
CLP Transporting Cargo Safely 3
What is the minimum working load limit (WLL) that tie-downs must have in aggregate relative to the cargo they secure?