Cargo Tiedown Inspection Schedule

---
name: cargo-tiedown-inspection-schedule
description: |
  Use this skill to maintain a tiedown inspection schedule. Covers when to inspect, what to look for, replacement criteria.
---

# Tiedown Inspection Schedule

Tiedowns wear out, fray, rust, and degrade. A scheduled inspection program prevents securement failures + roadside violations.

## Inspection frequency
- **Pre-trip**: every trip (driver checks)
- **Weekly**: maintenance + safety review
- **Monthly**: detailed inspection of all tiedowns
- **Quarterly**: comprehensive tiedown rotation + replacement schedule
- **Annual**: full audit + replacement of worn tiedowns

## What to inspect
- **Chain links**: cracks, deformation, excessive wear
- **Hooks**: damage, bending, sharp edges
- **Binders**: function smoothly, no broken parts
- **Straps**: fraying, cuts, UV degradation
- **Buckles**: function, latching mechanism
- **Anchor points**: secure to vehicle, not damaged

## Replacement triggers
- Visible damage (cracks, breaks, deformation)
- Excessive wear (worn beyond manufacturer tolerance)
- Cut or frayed straps (>1/3 reduction in capacity)
- Rusted chain links beyond surface
- Bent or deformed hooks
- Reduced WLL due to age

## Manufacturer specs
- Each tiedown has age limit (typically 5 years for straps, 10+ for chains)
- Manufacturer rating includes age assumption
- Beyond age limit, consider replacement

## Documentation
- Tiedown inventory (which tiedowns belong to which trailers)
- Inspection log (per inspection)
- Replacement log (which tiedowns replaced when + why)
- Cost tracking for replacement program

## Common errors
- No inspection schedule documented
- Worn tiedowns continue in service
- Mix of old + new on the same load (older are weaker link)
- Tiedown vs cargo not matched (wrong tiedown for the commodity)

## Compass tiedown tracking
- Per-trailer tiedown inventory
- Inspection schedule by trailer
- Replacement reminders
- Age tracking with proactive replacement

## CFR citations
- **49 CFR § 393.100**
- **Manufacturer Recommendations**

## How Compass surfaces this
Searchable in Compass Ask. Runs against carrier fleet data when invoked from the relevant tracker. Read-only; no actions without explicit user approval.


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## Built by X3 Compass

The AI-powered DOT compliance platform for fleets 1–100 power units. Try a 7-day free trial — no credit card required — at https://x3compass.com/?utm_source=skill&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=cargo-tiedown-inspection-schedule

X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.

*This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills*