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Here I need to step up and assist with Information regarding Coils. I have about a year's worth of hauling Steel and Aluminum on a Covered Flatbed known as a "Covered Wagon" Aluminum Coils usually are larger than steel coils and not as heavy. These usually get shipped "Eye to the sky" or standing on end. The pallets on these recieve a wood bracing nailed to the deck at each corner and 3 straps on each side going over the top to to the opposite tiedown (Chain hook) Aluminum coils get shipped to Busch Brewing etc for Cans for the Beer. They are also shipped to a variety of other users. And they usually get 3 coils on a 48 foot trailer. That is just about 48-52000 pounds payload. Steel coils get loaded slightly differently. The best way is to place a coil down between two long peices of wood cut at a 45 degreee angle for the bed. A large peice of rubber is laid across the bed and the coil set down into it. The wood is held from underneath by small irons to keep them together. The coil is thus loaded the long ways down the length of the trailer. Chains of 1/2 or 3/4 inch thickness is passed thru the core to the oppsoite tie down. They are secured with Binders. Straps are then thrown over the top to the same tie down on the other side. It usually took 6 chain and 4 straps before I felt that a 30,000 pound coil is secured properly. The other thing about coils is that there are LARGE coils also these get very special treatment... A large coil of steel is one that is 15 feet long and about 100 inches wide. (Or high) These are 50,000 pounds on 15 feet of trailer space. There are certain flatbeds capable of such concentrated loads. Because of thier size and mass to take a load around a curve such as a exit ramp marked "25" mph requires you to slow down to as much as 10 before you get to the curve. There will be a rollever if you dont slow down. GerFust made a reference to "Suicide Coils" these are loaded eyes to the sides being able to roll forward and backwards if they are not secured properly. I want to mention that if you cut off a big truck with these coils and he has to stop or slow down quickly these coils will kill the driver and possibly grind you into hamburger. and then go into the oppsing traffic and destroy and kill some more. Straps and Chains are used on coils according to federal regualtions. I have always chained and strapped em to the point that "God" can pick up my truck and turn it upside down and the coil (s) will stay attached. Steel coils are used in factorys to stamp out walls for washers and dryers, panels for car doors, cans, etc etc etc. Even Brass or Bronze is shipped in coils I have run loads of these from Buffalo NY to a Ammuntion Plant (Remington Arms) in Lonoke Arkansas. They will make rifle cartriges out of the material. I used a Box trailer for these for best protection from the weather. A reefer was even used to maintain 65 degrees and 40% humidity escpecailly to protect the brass from weather changes between NY and AR. So theoratically you can use reefers to haul small coils and claim protection from elements as a reason. Good Luck everyone! Lee
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