What 393.120B2 means in plain language
FMCSR 393.120B2 covers the securement of metal coils during transport. The regulation requires that metal coils be secured in accordance with specific securement rules designed to prevent cargo shift, spillage, or loss during normal driving and emergency maneuvers.
If you were cited for this violation, an inspector found that the metal coils in your load were not properly restrained—whether that meant inadequate tie-downs, improper positioning, failed securement devices, or failure to use the correct method for your coil type and load configuration. The specifics depend on what the inspector observed at roadside.
This is a vehicle maintenance violation, meaning it relates directly to how your truck and load are configured and maintained before and during operation.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 393.120B2 is rare. We have documented 3 all-time citations for this code, with 0 citations in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 90 days. That places it at rank #2551 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
What is striking about this code is its out-of-service rate: 100.0%. Every single time this violation was cited in our database, the vehicle was placed out of service. By contrast, the all-FMCSR average out-of-service rate is 31.4%. This means inspectors treat metal coil securement failures as serious enough to remove the truck from operation until corrected.
The rarity of citations combined with the 100% OOS rate suggests two things: inspectors encounter metal coil loads infrequently at roadside, but when they do find securement problems, they consider the safety risk substantial enough to warrant immediate repair before the load moves further.
Who gets cited most
Our records show that citations for 393.120B2 have been issued to carriers such as Rebel Freight Services LLC (USDOT 114778) with 1 citation, Greatwide Cheetah Transportation LLC (USDOT 973667) with 1 citation, and Eastern Metal Framing of New Hampshire LLC (USDOT 2401580) with 1 citation. The citation distribution is too small to identify regional patterns or state concentrations with statistical confidence.
Regarding vehicle makes, our data shows GDAN vehicles were cited 3 times for this violation, KW (Kenworth) 2 times, and FRHT (Freightliner) 1 time. Again, the low absolute numbers mean trends by vehicle type are not reliable indicators of risk.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Within the vehicle maintenance category, 393.120B2 sits among codes that range widely in enforcement frequency and out-of-service likelihood.
393.9(a) — Inoperable required lamps has been cited 660,737 times with a 15.4% OOS rate. Lamp failures are far more common but less likely to result in immediate removal from service.
396.3(a)(1) — Inspection/repair/maintenance general has 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate—more frequent than 393.120B2 but with higher OOS likelihood than lamps, reflecting the broader scope of maintenance issues this code covers.
393.47E — Slack adjuster defective has 180,363 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, showing that some brake-related maintenance issues are cited frequently but rarely trigger immediate OOS placement.
The 100.0% OOS rate for 393.120B2 reflects that cargo securement is considered a direct load-stability and public-safety issue; when an inspector finds it deficient, the fix is not deferred to the next scheduled maintenance window but required before the truck resumes operation.
How to avoid it
If you transport metal coils, or if you manage a fleet that does, these actions will reduce your risk:
-
Know the specific securement method your coil type requires. Metal coils can be secured with chains, straps, or coil racks depending on diameter, weight, and orientation. Before loading, confirm you are using the correct method for your cargo and load configuration.
-
Perform a dedicated pre-trip inspection of coil securement. Do not rely on loaders to verify restraint. Walk the load, check that all tie-downs are tight, that coils are prevented from rolling or shifting, and that securement devices are not cracked, bent, or failing.
-
Inspect securement hardware before each trip. Chains and straps degrade with use and weather. Shackles, binders, and attachment points can weaken. If hardware shows wear, corrosion, or deformation, replace it before loading.
-
Center and stabilize coils before securing. Coils that are not properly positioned in the truck bed or trailer are harder to secure effectively. Ensure coils are seated fully and blocked so they cannot roll during acceleration, braking, or turns.
-
Document your securement at the shipper. Take photos of the secured load. If cited later, you have evidence of how the load was prepared. This also creates accountability at the loading point.
-
Retension tie-downs during long hauls. Metal coils and securement hardware can shift over hundreds of miles. At fuel stops and meal breaks, perform a visual recheck of all restraints and retension if needed.
-
Stay current on regulation updates. Cargo securement rules evolve. Your company's shipper or broker should provide load securement documentation reflecting current FMCSR requirements. Review that documentation before accepting the load.