What 393.120E means in plain language
FMCSR 393.120E addresses how metal coils must be secured on your truck. Metal coils—whether loose or wound—are heavy, cylindrical cargo that pose significant shifting risks during braking, turns, or acceleration. The regulation requires these coils to be fastened and positioned according to specific securement standards designed to prevent them from rolling, sliding, or falling during transport.
If an inspector found your metal coils were not properly secured—whether the issue was inadequate straps, wrong anchor points, loose tie-downs, or improper blocking—you received a 393.120E citation. This is a cargo control violation, not a structural or mechanical defect of your truck itself.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ roadside inspection records, 393.120E is a relatively rare citation. We have recorded 4 all-time citations for metal coil securement violations, with 3 citations in the last 12 months and 1 in the last 90 days. This makes 393.120E ranked #2480 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume.
What stands out: our inspection records show a 100.0% out-of-service rate for this code. Every single truck cited for 393.120E in our database was placed out of service. This is dramatically higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, indicating that when inspectors find metal coil securement failures, they consider the cargo hazard severe enough to halt the truck immediately.
While the absolute citation count is low, the enforcement outcome is unambiguous—this violation triggers immediate roadside removal from service.
Who gets cited most
Our data shows Illinois accounts for 2 citations in the last 180 days, representing the entirety of regional enforcement we've observed for this code. Both Illinois citations resulted in out-of-service placements.
The limited sample across our database reflects how infrequently this violation surfaces, but the 100% OOS rate holds consistently wherever it does occur.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
393.120E sits in the Vehicle Maintenance category alongside several high-volume cargo and equipment violations. By comparison, 393.9 (Inoperable Required Lamp) has generated 180,097 citations with a 6.9% OOS rate. 396.3(a)(1) (Inspection/Repair/Maintenance—general) shows 236,919 citations and a 45.3% OOS rate. Even 393.47E (Slack adjuster defective), a brake-system violation affecting safety, has a 0.0% OOS rate across 180,363 citations.
The gap is stark: 393.120E's 100% OOS rate is significantly more aggressive than peer codes, suggesting that metal coil securement failures are treated as an imminent hazard rather than a correctable deficiency.
How to avoid it
If you haul metal coils, or if you're assembling a prevention program for drivers who do, focus on these actions before every load:
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Inspect coil tie-downs and straps before departure. Check that all straps are rated for the load weight, routed through proper anchor points on your trailer, and tight enough that they cannot slip under load.
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Verify coil placement and blocking. Metal coils must be positioned to prevent roll. If using blocking (wood, steel, or composite), ensure blocks are secured to the deck and cannot shift.
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Know the load weight and tire rating. Our data shows co-occurring citations for weight exceeding tire load limits, indicating that overloaded coils are a pathway to securement failure. Confirm your tires are rated for the total load.
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Perform a pre-trip walk-around under the trailer. Look underneath for any loose straps, damaged anchor points, or evidence of movement during transit. Metal coils can shift imperceptibly during highway travel.
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Document your securement method. Photograph or note the tie-down configuration before departing so you can demonstrate compliance if questioned.
Our data also shows co-occurring citations for driver fatigue (392.2FT, 392.2IRP) and failure to secure cargo generally (392.9), suggesting that hurried or fatigued load checks increase risk. Allocate time for a thorough securement inspection, particularly on your first coil haul or after equipment changes.