What 393.118 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.118 requires that boulders loaded on your truck be secured according to specific federal securement standards. This isn't about how much weight you're carrying—it's about how that weight is restrained and prevented from shifting, falling, or becoming a hazard during transit.
Boulders are heavy, irregular cargo that can't be secured the same way a pallet of uniform boxes would be. The regulation expects you and your carrier to use tiedowns, blocking, bracing, or other equipment specifically rated to prevent boulder movement in three dimensions: side-to-side, front-to-back, and vertical. When an inspector finds boulders that aren't properly restrained using the correct methods and materials, that's a 393.118 violation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we've documented 978 all-time citations for 393.118—making it ranked #723 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume. In the last 12 months, 82 citations were issued; in the last 90 days, 11 were documented.
The out-of-service rate for this code is stark: 99.3% of 393.118 citations result in an out-of-service order. That means 971 out of 978 trucks cited for boulder securement violations were pulled off the road. By comparison, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%, making 393.118 more than three times as likely to trigger an immediate shutdown.
This isn't random. When an inspector finds unsecured boulders, the risk of cargo loss or vehicle instability is too high to allow continued operation.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show 393.118 citations are concentrated in three states. Over the last 180 days, North Carolina led with 7 citations (all 7 resulting in out-of-service orders, 100% rate), followed by Texas with 6 citations (all OOS, 100% rate), and Iowa with 4 citations (all OOS, 100% rate). The uniformity of OOS rates across these states reflects the severity and consistency of enforcement.
Historically, our data shows fleets such as Annett Holdings Inc (USDOT 87409) with 32 citations and Nova Lines Inc (USDOT 2559423) with 24 citations have experienced multiple 393.118 violations. This pattern suggests that boulder cargo securement may require particular attention in training and pre-trip procedures at carriers handling this commodity.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.118 operates in a different enforcement universe than most vehicle maintenance violations. Consider the peer codes in the same category:
- 393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps: 660,737 citations all-time, 15.4% OOS rate. This code is cited 674 times more often but results in out-of-service orders less than one-sixth as frequently.
- 393.78 — Windshield condition defective: 157,894 citations all-time, 0.3% OOS rate. A defective windshield is nearly never an immediate shutdown, whereas unsecured boulders almost always are.
- 396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general: 236,919 citations, 45.3% OOS rate. Even this serious maintenance catch-all is out-of-service in fewer than half of cases; 393.118 is out-of-service in 99.3%.
The message is clear: boulder securement is treated as a safety-critical defect with minimal tolerance.
How to avoid it
Our co-occurring violation data in the last 90 days shows that 393.118 inspections sometimes involve other cargo or equipment defects. While the most frequent co-occurrences were lamp and windshield issues (likely reflective of general vehicle condition rather than securement-specific problems), the core action items are securement-focused:
- Before loading: Inspect and document the condition of all tiedown equipment—chains, straps, binders, and anchor points. Replace any that are bent, cracked, frayed, or corroded. Verify that each tiedown is rated for the expected boulder weight and load direction.
- During loading: Ensure boulders are positioned so their center of gravity is centered over the trailer or truck bed. Avoid placing oversized or irregularly shaped boulders that extend beyond the sides or ends of the cargo area.
- Secure in all directions: Use at least two independent tiedowns to prevent side-to-side shift. Use blocking or bracing (wood, metal, or specialized cargo control bars) to prevent front-to-back movement. If boulders are stacked, ensure upper loads cannot roll or slide off.
- Pre-trip inspection: Before departing the shipper, walk the entire length and width of your load. Visually confirm every tiedown is tight and in place. Listen for any shifting sounds during your initial acceleration. If you feel any unusual movement or sway, stop immediately and re-secure before proceeding.
- Check weight distribution: Overloaded or unevenly distributed boulder cargo increases the force on tiedowns and the risk of failure. Ensure your load is within legal limits and balanced.
The data shows that 393.118 violations almost never result in a warning or citation with continued operation allowed. Prevention is far simpler than dealing with an out-of-service order and the associated delays, fines, and carrier compliance issues.