How To Secure Load On Truck 101: Tips You Need To Follow

Planning a haulage journey but unsure whether your load is secured properly? These tips can help you secure cargo safely.

Indian commercial-grade logistical sector is significantly large, with over 30 million people employed in it, as a baseline, including drivers and fleet managers. According to industry estimates, people depend on the logistics sector to improve their livelihood. While drivers benefit from profit outcomes offered by logistics, road safety concerns prevail in the industry. 

Road safety is not just a concern for the truck drivers but also for everything occupying the streets. It is not just associated with rash driving but also with how a load is secured onboard the bed of a truck. In fact, truck-related road accidents in India are mainly caused by overloading and not securing the cargo, resulting in losing control and toppling. 

Wondering how to secure the load to set high safety standards and ensure occupant and pedestrian safety. Here is a comprehensive list of tips which you as a truck driver can follow to set an example for other truck drivers and enhance safety. Read on: 

Related Link: Truck Fleet 101: Why A Dash Cam Is Necessary In This Day And Age?

How To Secure Load On Truck

Securing the load onboard the truck bed is essentially important to enhance safety. From tie-down straps to cargo nets, there are several ways to secure the cargo on the truck. Let’s explore them in detail as they can benefit you as a novice or seasoned driver. Read on: 

Use Ratchet Straps:

Ratchet Straps are an important tool for securing cargo safely. They are versatile tools which can be used to strap down cargo irrespective of the cargo’s size and shape. However, make sure to get ratchet straps with ideal weight ratings to ensure they don’t snap and can accommodate the weight of the load. As for how to place them correctly – strap the cargo by attaching them to anchor points – ensuring ideal tension points. 

Utilise Cargo Nets:

Cargo nets are useful when it comes to tying down irregularly shaped loads securely. However, use heavy-duty cargo nets with multiple attachment points along with ratchet straps to secure the cargo correctly. Make sure to stretch the cargo net over the load and hook it onto the anchor points of your truck’s load body. 

Bungee Cords: 

Bungee cords are an ideal solution to tie down small goods on a truck’s cargo bed. They are best suitable for small mini trucks with anchor points on the side of the load body. However, when purchasing Bungee cords, make sure to get ones with heavy-duty hooks and elastic cords that provide sufficient tension. 

Install Truck Bed Organisers: 

Utilise truck bed organisers such as dividers, and bars which can be adjusted along the width of the bed to secure the load onboard and enhance the stability of the vehicle. Additionally, use adjustable cargo bars placed on the side of the load body to adjust them to the desired height to secure tall or stacked items. 

Secure Heavy Cargo First: 

When securing the cargo, try to load the heavy items first and place them on the front of the load body – closer to the cab – and distribute the load evenly to balance out the weight. After placing them correctly, use rachets straps to secure the load or tie-downs to secure the items to anchor points.

Use Truck Bed Mats: 

Using truck bed liners or mats is a safe bet to protect the cargo from sliding and shifting weight to one side or the other. They also protect the truck’s load body from damage due to shifting or sliding during transit. However, make sure to get heavy-duty bed mats or liners and place them before loading the cargo. 

Load Valuable Items Out Of Sight: 

When transporting valuable goods, equipment or personal belongings, make sure to keep them out of sight covered with a tarpaulin, or closer to the cabin end before loading other items. This way, you can prevent thefts and keep an eye on the cargo from your cabin. Moreover, make sure to add cargo bed enclosures to protect valuables.

Make Sure To Inspect The Cargo: 

Before heading out a haulage operation, make sure to inspect whether the cargo is secured properly. Check the tension of ratchet straps and see if they are secured correctly to each anchor point. If they are not, tighten and adjust as per the requirement. Verify whether all ratchet points and anchors are secured properly.  

Conclusion: Importance Of Securing Cargo

The impact of cargo movement is significant as it can cause damage to property and life. Unsecured cargo causes significant hazards and puts safety and credibility on the line. The shifting of cargo can alter the vehicle’s balance and stability, increasing the risk of rollovers, particularly when the truck is clocking high speeds. Hence, it is important to secure cargo onboard a truck’s loadbody properly.

FAQs

Which Equipment Is Required For Securing Cargo On Trucks?

Using ropes or ratchet straps to tie down the goods using anchor points is the best way to secure goods. 

How To Properly Strap Goods? 

Getting the right equipment with a heavy-duty rating is the best way to securely strap goods. However, do check your vehicle's payload capacity to be on the safer side, understanding the haulage requirements. 

What Are The Common Mistakes Made By Truck Drivers While Strapping Cargo? 

Using old strapping tools and not checking regularly whether there is sufficient ratchet strap tension are the common mistakes drivers tend to make, causing safety hazards. 

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