FMCSA Cargo Securement and Weight Limits 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FMCSA rules, what is required when transporting logs on a CMV?
- Standard tie-downs only
- Stakes, bunks, or equivalent front-end protection plus tie-downs meeting load-specific WLL (Correct answer)
- A DOT-approved log carrier permit
- Logs must be enclosed in a sealed container
Correct answer: Stakes, bunks, or equivalent front-end protection plus tie-downs meeting load-specific WLL
Log transport requires stakes or bunks to prevent lateral movement plus tie-downs meeting the specific aggregate WLL for the load.
Question 2: What does the federal bridge formula primarily protect?
- Driver safety in collisions
- Road surfaces and bridges from excessive axle loads (Correct answer)
- Weight station operations
- Cargo from shifting during cornering
Correct answer: Road surfaces and bridges from excessive axle loads
The federal bridge formula limits axle spacing and weight to prevent road surfaces and bridge structures from being damaged by excessive loads.
Question 3: Which type of cargo requires special vertical load securement using chains rated to the load's weight?
- Dry bulk grain
- Intermodal containers (Correct answer)
- Fresh produce on flatbeds
- Paper products in enclosed trailers
Correct answer: Intermodal containers
Intermodal containers must be secured with twist locks or chains rated to handle the vertical and horizontal forces of the container.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a 'front-end header board' on a flatbed trailer?
- Reduce wind drag on the load
- Protect the cab from cargo shifting or penetrating forward (Correct answer)
- Serve as a mounting point for tie-downs
- Allow stacking of cargo at the front of the trailer
Correct answer: Protect the cab from cargo shifting or penetrating forward
A front-end header board (also called a headache rack) protects the cab and driver if cargo shifts or slides forward during a sudden stop.
Question 5: How is the weight of a vehicle determined at a weigh station if the total is over the legal limit?
- Driver is immediately arrested
- Driver is directed off the highway until the load is redistributed or a permit is obtained (Correct answer)
- A fine is collected on the spot and the driver continues
- The carrier is notified and the driver parks overnight
Correct answer: Driver is directed off the highway until the load is redistributed or a permit is obtained
Overweight vehicles must exit the highway and either redistribute the load, obtain a special permit, or off-load excess weight before continuing.
Question 6: What is the minimum working load limit (WLL) for a chain used to secure a 40,000 lb load?
- 10,000 lbs per chain
- At least 20,000 lbs aggregate across all chains used (Correct answer)
- 40,000 lbs per chain
- Any chain rated above 5,000 lbs
Correct answer: At least 20,000 lbs aggregate across all chains used
The aggregate WLL of all tie-downs must be at least 50% of the cargo weight, so a 40,000 lb load requires at least 20,000 lbs aggregate WLL.
FMCSA Cargo Securement and Weight Limits 2
Under FMCSA rules, what is required when transporting logs on a CMV?