A flatbed trailer is carrying an unblocked crate of agricultural machinery components that… — Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Exam

A flatbed trailer is carrying an unblocked crate of agricultural machinery components that measures $18\text{ feet}$ in length and weighs $12{}000\text{ pounds}$ . The driver uses synthetic web straps with a Working Load Limit (WLL) of $3{}000\text{ pounds}$ each across the top of the load. What is the minimum number of straps required to legally secure this cargo under federal regulations?

A
A minimum of $1\text{ strap}$
B
A minimum of $2\text{ straps}$
A minimum of $3\text{ straps}$ Answer
D
A minimum of $4\text{ straps}$

Answer

A minimum of

3\text{ straps}

are required to legally secure the cargo.

Federal regulations mandate that aggregate Working Load Limit (WLL) must equal at least 50% of total cargo weight (

6{}000\text{ pounds}

, which is satisfied by two

3{}000\text{-pound}

straps). In addition, unblocked cargo requires at least

2\text{ tie-downs}

for the first

10\text{ feet}

plus

1\text{ tie-down}

for every additional

10\text{ feet}

or fraction thereof (requiring

3\text{ tie-downs}

for an

18\text{-foot}

article). Because securement must fulfill both criteria, a minimum of

3\text{ straps}

is required.

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate the minimum aggregate Working Load Limit (WLL) required by cargo weight.

\text{Required WLL} = 50\% \times 12{}000\text{ lbs} = 6{}000\text{ lbs}

Federal regulations mandate that aggregate WLL must equal at least one-half (50%) of the total cargo weight.

Determine the number of straps needed to satisfy the aggregate WLL.

6{}000\text{ lbs} \div 3{}000\text{ lbs/strap} = 2\text{ straps}

Two straps provide

6{}000\text{ lbs}

of aggregate WLL, meeting the weight requirement.

Determine the minimum number of tie-downs required by cargo length for unblocked freight.

18\text{ feet}

requires

2\text{ straps}

for the first

10\text{ feet}

plus

1\text{ strap}

for the remaining

8\text{ feet}

, totaling

3\text{ straps}

Unblocked cargo requires at least 2 tie-downs for the first 10 feet and 1 additional tie-down for each additional 10 feet or fraction thereof.

Identify the controlling requirement by taking the higher minimum count.

\max(2\text{ straps for WLL}, 3\text{ straps for length}) = 3\text{ straps}

The driver must simultaneously comply with both the aggregate WLL and length securement standards.

Key Concept

Cargo securement requires satisfying both length-based minimum tie-down counts and weight-based aggregate WLL (at least 50% of cargo weight).

Estimated Time:45s

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