What 393.104(c) means in plain language
A tiedown or cargo securement device is the equipment you use to anchor, strap, chain, or otherwise secure cargo to your truck. When an inspector cites you for 393.104(c), they're saying that one or more of these devices is damaged, defective, or no longer able to do its job.
This could mean a chain with a broken link, a strap with torn webbing, a hook that won't hold, or a ratchet that can't tighten properly. The regulation requires these devices to be in working condition so your load stays put during transit. A failed tiedown can mean cargo shifts, falls, or causes an accident—and it's your responsibility to catch it before you roll.
The violation is about the condition of the equipment itself, not how you use it or how many tiedowns you have. One failed device is enough for a citation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.104(c) has generated 346 all-time citations. Over the last 12 months and the last 90 days, we recorded zero citations for this code—a significant drop from historical levels.
When citations do occur, roadside inspectors place trucks out of service at a 13.0% rate. That's considerably lower than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, which means this violation alone typically doesn't stop your truck. Instead, it's usually issued as a moving violation you're expected to fix before your next trip. However, if a damaged tiedown is found alongside other cargo or vehicle issues, an OOS decision becomes more likely.
393.104(c) ranks #1039 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the lower half of enforcement activity. The rarity of recent citations suggests either improved compliance, less frequent cargo securement inspections, or both.
Who gets cited most
Our data does not include state-level breakdowns for this code, so we cannot name the top states where citations occur. However, we can see which carriers have received multiple citations historically. TCH INC (USDOT 1476744) leads with 6 citations, followed by Gregory Idell Hutchins (USDOT 1213803) with 5 citations. This is not an indication of negligence—citation patterns reflect inspection frequency, fleet size, and exposure rather than safety culture alone.
The vehicles most frequently cited for damaged tiedowns are Kenworth and Mack units (31 and 26 citations respectively), followed by other heavy-duty tractors. This aligns with which vehicles spend the most time under inspection.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the vehicle maintenance category, 393.104(c) sits well below several peer violations in enforcement volume. For comparison:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% OOS rate.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate, meaning inspectors are far more likely to pull trucks off the road for general maintenance failures.
- 393.11 — Lighting devices/reflectors has 179,734 citations at a 1.8% OOS rate.
Damaged tiedowns fall in the middle ground: rarer than lighting violations but slightly more likely to result in an OOS order than lighting or windshield issues. The 13.0% OOS rate suggests inspectors view it as a serious concern worth enforcing but not necessarily a showstopper on its own.
How to avoid it
A damaged tiedown citation is preventable with a structured pre-trip routine:
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Walk your entire cargo area before each shift. Look at every chain, strap, ratchet, hook, and binder. Tug on each one—if it feels loose, frayed, kinked, or broken, it's damaged. Replace it before you leave the lot.
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Check for rust, corrosion, and wear. Chains that are heavily rusted or straps that are sun-faded and brittle will fail under load. Keep spares on board.
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Test ratchet function. A ratchet that won't tighten, slips under tension, or has a bent frame is defective. Make sure the ratchet bar moves freely and locks firmly.
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Inspect hooks and attachment points. Bent, cracked, or missing safety pins on hooks are red flags. Make sure eyes and D-rings on your truck frame aren't bent or cracked.
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Replace securement devices proactively, not reactively. Don't wait for an inspector to tell you a tiedown is done. Budget regular replacement into your maintenance cycle—chains and straps wear out.
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Keep documentation of your securement equipment. If you rotate or replace tiedowns, note it. This helps in conversations with inspectors and shows due diligence.
The data shows this violation is uncommon in recent years, which means compliance is generally good. That works in your favor: a single citation is often treated as an isolated failure rather than a pattern of negligence. But one failed tiedown that causes an accident is one too many—a quick visual check each morning keeps you safe and citation-free.