Wooden Coil Loads: How to Secure Them Safely on a Flatbed

Coils are some of the heaviest, least forgiving freight on a flatbed. A coil does not shift politely — if it moves, it moves with thousands of pounds behind it. That is why securement is not a formality. It is the job.

I am Pinkie Dabney, a flatbed owner-operator behind Pinkie’s Finest Trucking and KeepingIt100 Trucking. Here is the securement rhythm I use, taught the same way I teach it in my Safety First videos.

Before the coil ever touches the deck

Check your paperwork first

Know the coil’s actual weight from the paperwork, not a guess, and confirm it matches what the shipper told you. Your securement plan — how many chains, where they sit, and how the weight spreads — starts with that number.

Set coil racks and non-slip mats

Coil racks cradle the coil and keep it from rolling, and non-slip mats under the racks add friction where steel wants to slide. Set them evenly so the coil sits balanced over the deck, not leaning to one side.

Inspect every chain, binder, and strap

Look for stretched links, cracked hooks, frayed webbing, and binders that do not ratchet clean. A securement device you would not trust with your own weight does not go on a coil.

Loading and securement, step by step

Watch the placement

As the forklift sets the coil, watch where it lands. Centered and even matters — a coil placed off-balance makes every chain after it work harder.

Chains and binders do the main work

On my coil runs I teach it plain: chains and binders are the main securement. Work them in a balanced pattern so the coil is held down and held against rolling in both directions, and tension each binder fully.

Straps go on top as added securement

Straps over the top add a final layer, they do not replace the chains. In my walk-around teaching I count it out loud — for example, one strap, two chains, one strap — three securements per section of weight — so nothing gets skipped when I am tired or rushed.

Protect edges where securement meets the coil

Where a chain or strap bears on an edge, use edge protection so the securement does not cut, and the load is not damaged. A cut strap halfway down the interstate helps nobody.

The final walk-around — never skip it

Walk the whole load slowly

Front to back, both sides. Touch every binder. Look at every hook. Check that racks have not shifted and mats are still where you set them.

Recheck after the first miles

Securement settles. Stop when it is safe early in the run and check tension again. The five minutes you spend there are cheaper than anything that can happen at highway speed.

When in doubt, add securement

Extra securement costs minutes. A lost coil costs everything. When a load feels borderline, add the chain.

FAQ

How many chains does a coil need?

It depends on the coil’s weight and length and the working load limit of your chains — the federal securement rules set minimums by weight, and many experienced flatbed drivers secure above the minimum. Know your paperwork weight and your equipment’s limits before you leave the shipper.

Are straps enough to secure a coil by themselves?

No. For the coil runs I teach, chains and binders do the main securement work, with straps added on top. Always follow the federal cargo securement rules and your company’s policy for the specific load.

What is a coil rack for?

A coil rack cradles the coil on the deck so it cannot roll, and — used with non-slip mats — helps keep the coil from sliding. Racks, mats, chains, binders, and straps work as one system.

Why recheck securement after driving a few miles?

Loads settle and tension changes once the trailer is moving and vibrating. An early recheck catches a loosening binder while it is still a small fix.

Watch it done, not just described

Watch my full coil pickup process — check-in, loading, chaining, and tarping — on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pinkiedabney — search “Pinkie Dabney steel coil pickup” for the full-process video, and follow the Safety First series for one-point securement lessons.