3 Things To Know Before Welding D-Rings Onto a Truck

Semi tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and pickups all may use D-rings to create lifting suspension points to secure strapping used with hoists or keep loads or equipment stable during transport. Drivers whose trucks don’t already have D-rings may ask welders to attach them. Here are three things to know before welding D-rings onto a truck.

Type and Weight of Loads

Trucks that have D-rings welded onto them can haul many kinds of goods, equipment, or vehicles. If the truck consistently hauls the same type of load, then you’ll have a better idea of the size, type, and capacity of D-ring needed.

Drivers should know the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of their vehicles. This is the total weight the vehicle can legally carry, including the weight of the vehicle, the weight of the driver, and additional passengers, fuel, and loads. When you know the weights you’ll be dealing with, you’ll know which kind of D-ring can handle it.

Intercon supplies heavy-duty weld-on D-rings that can serve as suspension points for lifting loads. They can also be strapped onto trucks to secure vehicles and equipment.

Positioning

Concerning loads that are always the same, the points on the vehicle to position the D-rings can correspond to the size and shape of the load. However, if the truck carries a variety of equipment or vehicles of different sizes and shapes, more D-rings—positioned every few feet on the trailer or bed of the truck—may be required.

Compatibility

One of the important things to know before welding D-rings onto a truck includes compatibility. Without reliable compatibility, you could open yourself up to potential problems. Consider the thickness and type of metal you’ll be welding a D-ring to. You must make sure the metal base is attached to something strong enough to support the heaviest load the truck could carry. It would be a shame to waste a good D-ring weld on a base that would lift off along with the load.