Commercial Driver License Study Group

2012

Section 3 – Transporting Cargo Safely

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspect your cargo

• Recognize overloads & poor balance

• Know it is secured

• Know it does not block emergency equipment

INSPECT CARGO

• Pre-trip

• After starting – within first 50 miles

• Re-check as often as necessary and:

• After driving for 3 hours or 150 miles and

• After every break you take during driving

WEIGHT AND BALANCE

• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – total of a single vehicle and load

• Gross Combination Weight (GCW) – total of a powered unit + trailer + cargo

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – maximum GVW by manufacturer for single vehicle plus load

• Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) – maximum GCW by manufacturer for a specific combination of vehicles plus load

WEIGHT AND BALANCE

• Axle Weight – weight transmitted to ground by one axle or a set of axles

• Tire Load – maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure

• Suspension Systems – manufacturer’s weight capacity rating

• Coupling Device Capacity – maximum weight they can pull and/or carry

LEGAL WEIGHT LIMITS

• State maximums

• Bridge formula may be applicable

• Effects of overloading

• Weather or terrain may limit safe weight

TOP HEAVY

• Center of gravity

• Put heavy loads low

• Turn slowly

BALANCE THE WEIGHT

• Poor weight balance affects vehicle handling

• Too much weight on steering axle

• Under-loaded front axles

• Too much weight on driving axles

• Under-loaded drive axles

SECURING CARGO

• Blocking

• Bracing

• Cargo tie downs

• Federal regulations

• 1 tie down for each 10 feet of cargo

• All loads must have at least 2 tie downs

• Header board

• Covering cargo

• Sealed/containerized loads

CARGO NEEDING SPECIAL ATTENTION

• Dry bulk

• Hanging meat

• Livestock

• Oversized loads