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Securing paper rolls in vans and on flatbeds: 49 CFR 393.122

Helm PartnersUpdated Oct 30, 2026Sources checked Oct 30, 2026

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Short answer

Under 49 CFR 393.122, paper rolls of 5,000 pounds or more are loaded tight against walls, other rolls or cargo, with voids filled or blocked. Tall rolls are banded, braced or tied so they cannot tip. Crosswise rolls are chocked and cannot rely on the rear doors. On a flatbed or curtain-sider, add tiedowns under the general rules, and do not stack eyes-vertical rolls.

In this guide
  • What the rule covers
  • Eyes vertical in a van
  • Eyes crosswise in a van
  • Eyes lengthwise in a van
  • Flatbeds and curtain-siders
  • FAQ

What the rule covers

Paper rolls of 5,000 pounds or more (49 CFR 393.122(a)).

Eyes vertical in a van

  • Rolls tight against the walls, other rolls or other cargo.
  • Gaps to the walls filled, blocked, braced, tied or matted.
  • Rear voids wider than a roll's diameter restrained.
  • Friction mats used as main securement stick out in the direction they hold.
  • Upper layers only if the lower layer reaches the front. Blocking rolls stand at least 1.5 inches taller.

Eyes crosswise in a van

  • Chocks, wedges or blocking held by more than friction.
  • Rear doors do not secure the rearmost roll.
  • More than 8 inches total side gap must be filled or blocked.
  • No third layer until every well below is filled.

Eyes lengthwise in a van

  • Blocked forward and rearward, and chocked against rolling sideways.
  • Upper layers sit in the wells below.

Flatbeds and curtain-siders

  • Load as in a sided vehicle, then tie down the whole load under 393.100 to 393.114 (393.122(i)).
  • No stacked eyes-vertical loads.
  • Crosswise rolls chocked and tied against side movement.

Related: general load securement rules for dry vans, dry van insurance requirements, flatbed cargo securement and steel coils.

FAQ

Which shipments does this cover?

Paper rolls weighing 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) or more, alone or together. Lighter rolls and rolls unitized on a pallet may use this rule or the general rules.

When must a vertical roll be banded or braced?

When nothing stops it tipping and its width is more than 2 times its diameter, or for the forwardmost roll, more than 1.75 times, with other cases set out in 393.122(b)(4).

Can the rear doors hold the load?

Not for eyes-crosswise rolls. The rearmost roll may not be secured by the rear doors or by blocking held by them.

How much side gap is allowed for crosswise rolls?

If more than 8 inches total sits between the roll ends and the walls, fill or block it.

Can I stack vertical rolls on a flatbed?

No. Stacked eyes-vertical loads are prohibited on flatbeds and curtain-sided vehicles.

This guide is general information, not advice on any policy.

Sources