Direct Tie Down Versus Indirect Tie Downs

There are two accepted methods for securing a load.  Direct and Indirect.

Shown here is Direct Securement:

Here is an example of Indirect securement with only half WLL:
True Indirect securement for full WLL would show the chain going from one side of the trailer to the other side.
 

Direct securement is a method where the securement device goes from the trailer to the load.

Indirect is a method where the securement device goes from the trailer, through or over the load and then back to the trailer.

Direct securement reduces the Working Load Limit (WLL) of the securement device by half as it doesn't spread the force of the tie down to the entire tie down.  This method will put the entire load securement of the tie down point the device is tied to onto one tie down point on the trailer. 

Indirect securement allows the entire WLL of the securement device to be used on the tie down point it is tied to, over, or through as long as it goes from one side of the trailer to the other.

Over time there will be pictures on here of different tie down methods as well as explanations as to why those methods were chosen and how they hold up during transit.