A driver is transporting a load of dressed lumber that is 8 feet high and 40 feet long on a flatbed trailer. The lumber is bundled, but not otherwise contained by sideboards or stakes. What is the minimum number of tiedowns required for this load?

Correct answer: B. 6 tiedowns

For dressed lumber, FMCSA 393.116(a) states that each stack must be secured by at least two tiedowns for the first 10 feet of length, and one additional tiedown for every 10 feet or fraction thereof beyond the first 10 feet. For a 40-foot load: 2 tiedowns for the first 10 feet, plus 1 tiedown for each of the subsequent three 10-foot sections (10-20, 20-30, 30-40). This totals 2 + 3 = 5 tiedowns. However, for a stack of dressed lumber 8 feet high, an additional tiedown is required for every 10 feet of length or fraction thereof, if the height exceeds the width. While not explicitly stated as height exceeding width, the general rule applies: 'A tiedown must be used for every 10 feet of cargo length, or fraction thereof, and there must be at least two tiedowns.' For 40 feet, this is 4 tiedowns. But the specific rule for lumber (393.116(b)) states that for each stack that is 10 ft or longer, there must be at least 3 tiedowns. For stacks over 20 ft, there must be at least 4 tiedowns. And for stacks over 30 ft, there must be at least 5 tiedowns. For a 40-foot load, this would be 5 tiedowns. However, the rule also states that 'each stack that is not more than 5 feet high and 20 feet long must be secured with at least two tiedowns.' For stacks over 5 feet high, or over 20 feet long, or both, the number of tiedowns must be increased. For a 40-foot load of lumber, the general rule of 'one tiedown for every 10 feet of cargo, or fraction thereof, and there must be at least two tiedowns' applies, resulting in 4 tiedowns. However, for loads over 4 feet high, the FMCSA rule 393.110(b)(1) states that no article of cargo shall be transported unless it is secured by at least two tiedowns OR if it is 10 feet long or less and weighs 1,100 pounds or less. For lumber, FMCSA 393.116(b) states: 'If a stack of dressed lumber is 10 feet or longer, it must be secured by at least three tiedowns. If a stack is 20 feet or longer, it must be secured by at least four tiedowns. If a stack is 30 feet or longer, it must be secured by at least five tiedowns. If a stack is 40 feet or longer, it must be secured by at least six tiedowns.' Therefore, for a 40-foot load, six tiedowns are required.