What 393.116(d) means in plain language
This regulation requires that intermodal containers be properly secured to the chassis or platform they're being transported on. When an inspector cites you for 393.116(d), they're saying the container attachment points, fastening devices, or overall securement system failed to keep the container from shifting, rotating, or separating during transit.
Proper securement isn't optional—it's the difference between a stable load and cargo that can shift during braking, turns, or sudden maneuvers. The requirement applies whether you're hauling a 20-foot or 40-foot box, domestic or international container. The inspector is looking at how the container sits on the chassis, whether locking pins are in place, whether twist locks are engaged, and whether any visible wear or damage has compromised the connection.
This is a maintenance and equipment issue, not a paperwork violation. It's about the physical condition of your rig and how cargo is fastened to it.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million inspection records, 393.116(d) has generated 4 all-time citations, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. This is a rarely cited violation—it ranks #2480 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by enforcement volume.
When this violation is cited, it carries serious consequences: our data shows a 100.0% out-of-service rate. Every single time a driver or carrier received this citation, the vehicle was placed out of service. That contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate of 31.4%. The severity weight assigned to this code is 7, reflecting its potential impact on vehicle safety.
The rarity of citations combined with the certainty of an out-of-service order tells you something important: this violation is not a gray area. When an inspector tags you for improper intermodal container securement, the condition has to be serious enough to remove the vehicle from service immediately.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that this violation has been cited across a small number of carriers. Among those with recorded citations, carriers such as Rieger Trucking Inc., A & D Trucking LLC, Joe Torgerson Timbers LLC, and Aleyser Transport LLC each appear in our data. These citations do not imply systemic problems—they reflect individual roadside inspection events.
The vehicle makes cited for this violation span a broad range of chassis and container platforms: Drop, Fona, Freightliner, Great Dane, Hyundai TR, Mack, Peterbilt, Savage Coat, and Wstr all appear in our records with one citation each. No single manufacturer dominates this violation, suggesting the issue is tied to maintenance and securement practices rather than design defects.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the Vehicle Maintenance category, 393.116(d) sits at an extreme end of the enforcement and severity spectrum. By comparison, inoperable required lamps (393.9(a)) has generated 660,737 citations with a 15.4% out-of-service rate. General inspection, repair, and maintenance failures (396.3(a)(1)) account for 236,919 citations with a 45.3% out-of-service rate.
Even slack adjuster defects (393.47E), which carry significant braking safety implications, show a 0.0% out-of-service rate despite 180,363 all-time citations. The 100.0% out-of-service rate for 393.116(d) places it in a category of violations that inspectors treat as immediately unsafe to operate. When you're cited for this violation, you are not getting a warning or a repair order—you are stopping your truck.
How to avoid it
Intermodal container securement begins with a thorough pre-trip inspection and ongoing attention to your equipment:
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Inspect twist locks and locking pins before every departure. Check that all four twist locks (or the attachment system your carrier uses) are fully engaged and locked. Look for bent pins, missing components, or visible wear. These are the critical connection points between container and chassis.
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Walk around the container and look for movement or play. Rock the container gently by hand at the top corner. It should be solid. Any shifting, rattling, or movement indicates a securement failure that must be corrected before you move.
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Check chassis mounting points for damage or corrosion. The plates, bolts, and fasteners that hold the attachment hardware to the chassis degrade over time. Rust, bent metal, or missing bolts compromise the whole system. Report any damage to your company's maintenance department immediately.
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Verify the container is centered on the chassis. Misalignment can place uneven load on locking pins and increase the risk of failure. The container should sit level and centered—not cocked to one side.
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Know your chassis and container type. Different platforms use different securement systems. A 20-foot domestic box, a 40-foot international container, and a chassis-mounted system each have specific requirements. Train yourself on what you're hauling.
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Document your pre-trip inspection. Write down what you checked and when. If you discover an issue, report it in writing and don't move the load until it's fixed. This creates a record that you performed due diligence.
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Report wear and damage immediately. If you notice cracked welds, bent twist-lock housings, or any degradation of the attachment system during your trip, find a safe place to stop and contact your carrier. Do not attempt roadside repairs unless you are trained and authorized.
Securement violations carry the weight they do because a failed container can become cargo that shifts, spills, or separates from your vehicle—creating hazards for you, your cargo, and everyone on the road. The 100.0% out-of-service rate you see in our data is not an enforcement quirk; it reflects the real risk that unsecured intermodal cargo poses.