Aluminum pipe stakes OK?

I use my uprights off my side kit all the time trust me they don't last........I've only had one place tell me now way they needed to be steel that was womble pipe in houston

 

we used to use our sidekit stakes all the time with Wylie.

 

Would it work to paint the aluminum black and touch them up right before you go in? They probably wouldn't even notice?

 

Im loading pipe tomorrow and the broker insisted on steel. We will see in the morning.

 

kind of defeats the purpose of pipe stakes, buy using aluminum I take it none you run a chain and binder around the bottom the pipe stakes???

 

The one time I used mine I did.

 

I thought the point of pipe stakes was to ensure the load stayed on the trailer during loading and unloading. Using steel ones, you may crack a stake pocket, but you won't crack your skull. I think I'd rather crack a stake pocket. We all know how much use them highly regarded plastic hardhats would be. Of course the whole issue would be resolved with more careful forklift operators to start with.

 

Actually, you are supposed to run the chain and binder between the second and third row as that is what causes the pipes to flex and break welds.

 

When I loaded my pipe the guy said to lay the chain on the deck, loop it around each pipe stake then take up the slack with a ratchet binder. He said it would stop my stake pockets from being ripped out if the pipe let loose. I can see where a chain up a couple rows would work good.