What Is a Coil Rack and How Do You Use One?
Coil Hauling Guide
A steel coil looks simple. It is just a long sheet of metal rolled up like a giant roll of tape. But that roll can weigh as much as several cars, and it is round. Round things want to roll.
If a coil breaks loose on a trailer, nothing good happens. That is why coil haulers use a special tool to hold it still. It is called a coil rack. This guide explains what it is, how it works, and how to set one up.
In This Guide
What Is It?
A coil rack is a low steel frame that sits flat on the deck of a flatbed trailer. It has angled pockets on top. You set wooden beams, called timbers, into those pockets.
When two timbers are held apart by the racks, they make a V-shaped cradle. The coil sits down in that cradle. Because the timbers are wedged against both sides of the coil, it cannot roll.
Easy example: Think about setting a ball in the gap between two books. The ball stays put. A coil in a cradle works the same way.
The Parts of a Coil Cradle
A full cradle uses a few parts that work together.
The racks. Steel frames that hold the timbers in place and keep them from sliding apart. You use at least two under each pair of timbers, and more for heavy coils.
The timbers. Hardwood beams, often 4 by 4 inches or 4 by 6 inches. The edge that touches the coil is cut at an angle, called a bevel, so the round coil sits snug against it.
Rubber mats. Strips of rubber that go under the racks to add grip so the cradle does not slide on the deck.
Chains and straps. The tie downs that hold the coil down into the cradle and stop it from sliding forward or back.
The rack and timbers stop the coil from rolling. The chains and straps do the rest.
Sizes
Racks come in different lengths and are made for different timber sizes. Common ones are made to hold 4 by 4 or 4 by 6 timbers.
Safe & Tie offers an 8-pack of coil racks in 33 inch by 3 inch for flatbed trailers. Buying a set means you have enough for more than one coil.
How Coils Are Loaded
Drivers describe coil loads by which way the hole in the middle is facing. That hole is called the eye.
Eye to the Side
The eye faces the sides of the trailer. If it broke free, the coil could roll forward or backward. Drivers call this a suicide coil because of the danger of it rolling toward the cab. The timbers run across the trailer from side to side.
Eye Lengthwise
The eye faces the front and back of the trailer. The coil could roll to the left or right. Drivers call this a shotgun coil. The timbers run along the length of the trailer.
Eye to the Sky
The coil lies flat like a donut on a plate, with the eye pointing up. It is often on a pallet. This type does not sit in a cradle, but it still needs to be blocked and tied down so it cannot slide or tip.
| Load | Could roll | Timbers run |
|---|---|---|
| Eye to the side | Forward or backward | Across the trailer |
| Eye lengthwise | Left or right | Along the trailer |
| Eye to the sky | Can slide or tip | No cradle needed |
The first two types are the ones that need racks and timbers.
How to Set Up a Cradle
Here are the basic steps for one coil. Always follow the rules for your load and your company.
- Clean the deck. Sweep off dirt, ice, and oil where the coil will sit.
- Lay the rubber mats. Put down friction mats where the racks will go.
- Place the racks. Set them on the mats. Line them up so the pockets match from one rack to the next.
- Set the timbers. Drop a beveled timber into each side of the racks, with the angled edges facing each other.
- Check the gap. The timbers should be far enough apart that the coil sits down into the cradle, but not so far that the coil touches the deck. The coil should rest on the timbers only.
- Load the coil. The crane or forklift operator sets the coil down into the cradle. Stay well clear while it is moving.
- Tie it down. Run chains through the eye and over the top as the rules require. Tighten each one with a binder.
- Look it over. Walk around the coil. Check the racks, the timbers, and every tie down.
Tie Downs for Coils
Coils are heavy and smooth, so the tie down rules for them are strict. In the United States, the federal cargo rules have a special section for metal coils that weigh 5,000 pounds or more, alone or grouped together.
In general, the tie downs must stop the coil from moving forward, backward, and to each side. That usually means chains run through the eye and pulled down toward the front and back of the trailer, plus tie downs over the top.
Most drivers use Grade 70 chain and ratchet binders for this job. The total working load limit of your tie downs has to fit the weight of the coil. You can find chain and binders in the Safe & Tie chains and binders collection.
New to coils? Read the full rules, or ask a trainer, before you haul your first coil.
Protect the Coil
Steel coils are often finished products. A dent or scratch on the edge can ruin many feet of metal.
- Use edge protectors where chains or straps pass through the eye and over the edges.
- Use coil pads or thick rubber between the chain and the steel.
- Cover the coil with a tarp if the shipper asks for it. Many coils must stay dry.
Guards for this job are in the edge protectors collection.
Safety Tips
- Know the weight of each coil before it is loaded.
- Spread the weight so you do not overload an axle.
- Never stand in front of or behind a coil that is not tied down.
- Use more racks for heavier coils.
- Do not use cracked, split, or rotten timbers.
- Check your tie downs early in the trip and at every stop.
- Brake early and take turns slowly. A coil sits high and heavy.
Care and Storage
Racks are simple steel, so they do not need much.
- Check for bent frames and cracked welds.
- Knock off mud and rust.
- Stack them flat in a toolbox or on a rack when not in use.
- Keep timbers dry so they do not rot or warp.
- Replace timbers that are chewed up or split.
Other Uses
Racks and timbers are not only for coils. Drivers also use them to cradle large pipe, rolls of paper, cable reels, and tanks. Any heavy, round load that could roll is easier to control in a cradle.
Final Thoughts
A coil rack is a small steel frame with a big job. Together with beveled timbers, it makes a cradle that keeps a round, heavy coil from rolling. Add rubber mats under it, chains and binders over it, and guards where the chain touches steel. Learn the rules for coils before you haul one, and check your setup every time you stop.
Build a Safe Coil Cradle
Get the 8-pack of 33" x 3" coil racks for flatbed trailers at Safe & Tie.
Shop Coil RacksFrequently Asked Questions
How many racks do I need per coil?
At least two under each pair of timbers. Heavier coils often call for three or more so the weight is spread out.
What kind of wood is used for coil timbers?
Hardwood is the usual choice because it holds up under heavy weight. The edge that touches the coil is cut at an angle.
Can I haul a coil without racks?
Coils with the eye to the side or lengthwise need to be kept from rolling. A cradle made of timbers and racks is the standard way to do that.
Do I need rubber mats under the racks?
They are strongly advised. The mats add grip so the cradle does not slide on a steel or wood deck.
Can I use straps on a steel coil?
Chains are the main tie down for coils. Some drivers add straps over the top. Follow the coil rules and always protect the tie down from sharp edges.