Thread: Carrying long lengths of steel on a ute.

Originally Posted by Dave J

In NSW the local steel mob wont let you out of the gate if you don't comply with RTA rules of 200mm overhang on the front and 1200mm at the rear. Evidently they have been fined for loading people with over length loads.
Dave

Pretty sus fining the steel mob. Surely the onus is on the driver.

No they had a huge sign made up in the office with drawings of cars utes and vans and the max overhang allowed, thats why I remember it. I asked the fellows behind the counter and thats what they told me, the driver gets a fine as well. They said it had happened a few time so they learn't there lesson. They would cut it in half or 3 pieces for free if you wanted it, but any lengths would have to go out on a truck or something long enough to legally carry it. It is the only metal yard I have ever been to that did it.
Dave

In QLD carrying lone lengths of anything used to be a real problem...the regs were a bit ... um... hard to live by.....like nothing extending past the headilights and no vertical supports infront of the windscreen.

But fortunatly things have changed for the better.

check QLD transoprt for details... they noy have osme very clear diagrames and they will allow supports in front of the windsceen ( within reason)

strappinf stuff to an extension ladder is a very good idea....I used to do TV antennas and the best way to carry long mast sections is to strap them to a ladder.....same with light aluminium extrusion.

And the old faithfull "Lecky Tape" is not to be under estimated.....It sounds rough...... but for fastening light stuff....it works very well..... try getting the stuff off without cutting or unwrapping the tape

Combine the adhesive with a constant tension from each wrap of tape and it is surprising how strong it is.....untill of course it meets a sharp edge.

cheers

Originally Posted by johmar

Now here's the "scary" bit. When carrying light sections 50OD CHS or maybe 75SHS, the boys use HEAPS of grey duct tape to wrap them onto the top bars.

When I first saw this and after I had picked myself up off the ground I was assured that this method, i say again, using HEAPS of duct tape is the best way they have found to secure light sections only.

Ropes slip and ratchet tie downs bend the sections and they could still spear out the front in an emegency stop, so grey duct tape to the resue.

Again HEAPS of duct tape. And, no, its after 1200 hours and this isn't an Aprils Fool day joke.

John

I tried this once with 100mm pvc on one side of the ladder racks and gal water pipe on the other. When I saw a piece of pvc fly off with a car 100mm behind I pulled over pretty quick, the gal pipe was almost loose too. Since then only light stuff and only small distances with duct tape...

Cheers
Pulse

you can have overhang.

you have to have the same amount over the front of the balance point (back wheels) as behind it. more than 1.2m of overhang has to have a flag.

Originally Posted by weisyboy

you can have overhang.

you have to have the same amount over the front of the balance point (back wheels) as behind it. more than 1.2m of overhang has to have a flag.

Somewhere I also read if you have more than 3.576m behind the back wheels you need more than a flag, you need a permit

I think we're beyond "Trailers and other fabricated stuff" here. Over to Motor Vehicles we go. If it were "Carrying long lengths of steel on a trailer..."