Fla Man missed the concept of taper.

[Karl_H]

OK. Most Y'alls.

Most of them, but none of us.

[Hoosiersmoker]

The potential cost of failure to properly secure your load is sudden death. I'm glad this kind of thing doesn't happen more often! There was an incident around here back in the 70's. A guy hauling steel coils had a car pull out in front of him. His load was chained in multiple places but one roll broke loose, rolled forward and flattened the cab with him in it. Horrifying scene.

[piper184]

Usually you see those poles loaded alternating end to end so the load is "squared up" and mostly on some sort of shaped support, although not always for small loads.

Strap down for 100 MPH, drive 50.

There is a huge difference between being trained to pass a test and being taught how to do a job the right way.

[mansworld]

semi cab guards/ headache racks can save lives. They act as a barrier between the drivers and the load they're hauling. If the truck comes to a sudden stop, the guard can help prevent objects in the trailer from being launched toward the cab's rear window.

[Isambard]

A good reason why loggers tend to keep the butt ends of logs to the rear. Self-tightening.
Another scenario is in the East, Bamboo scaffolding is always erected with thicker end at the bottom.
So anything tied to it, tightens when slipping down.
Had a brain fade....

[mwmkravchenko]

A good reason why loggers tend to keep the butt ends of logs to the rear. Self-tightening.
Another scenario is in the East, bamboo scaffolding is always erected with thicker end uppermost.

Exactly. Pulled a lot of logs out of the bush. What you mention is indeed the best way. Although those concrete poles are a wee bit smoother than trees!