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11 Tips for Safely Hauling Cargo

Before hauling a large load of furniture, spring yard waste or really anything else on top or behind your car, make sure you have your items properly secured. Making sure your cargo is secured will keep your load from swinging back and forth or worse, having something come off your trailer or vehicle which could cause an accident. Obviously, if you’re hauling something somewhere you want it to get there in one piece. Join us as we discuss some of the best ways to get you – and your precious belongings – where you need to go.

• First, we want to remind you not to overexert your vehicle. Every vehicle has a tow rating specified by the manufacturer, and that’s information you can usually find in your owner’s manual. When in doubt, don’t push it. For example, the new Ford Ranger can haul 7,500 pounds, so a fishing boat or small camper won’t be a problem. A Chevrolet Spark subcompact car shouldn’t be used to tow anything over 1,000 pounds and remember tow ratings include everything inside the car as well! If you have anything heavier than a couple bikes or a kayak, we recommend finding a friend with a bigger car and inviting them along.

But say you’ve got the truck and trailer and you’re hauling some building supplies. Although we know that unsecured loads can become dangerous, we regularly see items, ranging from trash to large pieces of metal or wood, hanging out of the back of vehicles on roadways.  Not only is it dangerous to other motorists, but anything hanging out the back can shift or fall out much easier than something that’s fully contained.

To make sure you’ve got everything covered (literally!), here are the 11 most important tips we can think of to ensure you have a secure load on the roadways.

1. Don’t use rope or bungee cords.

• Rope is tougher to secure and can come untied or unraveled.
• Bungee cords can loosen with wear and exposure to the elements.

2. Do use ratchet straps and cargo nets.

• Ratchet straps are tough, thick, and easy to secure.
• Cargo nets can help keep your load in once place.

3. Use a tarp or cargo net to secure all lightweight items.

•  A tarp keeps the weather out and your payload in!
•  A cargo net might catch items that would otherwise slip out.

4. Use a cargo bar for heavier objects.

5. Use bars to secure cargo in vans without bulkheads.

•  A bulkhead is a wall protecting the driver and passenger.
•  Cargo bars are especially helpful for securing heavier objects that may shift as you drive.

6. Always use two or more tie downs.

• A good rule of thumb is to have a tie down every couple square feet, depending on your load.
• When in doubt, use an extra tie-down!

7. Make sure items can’t slide around.

• If you can pull something out of your load, a good pothole can too.

8. Be sure your straps and tarps don’t become hazardous.

• Always check tarps, straps, and cargo nets for fraying, bleaching, and wear.
• If they’re damaged, they can’t do their job anymore.

9. Check the weight ratings on your anchor points.

• A nice strong ratchet strap won’t help if your anchor breaks away!

10. Balance the load.

• Evenly distribute the weight over your axle and move out from there.
• Improper balance can cause shuddering or fishtailing, putting you and your fellow motorists in danger.

11. Check the load occasionally during transport, especially if traveling longer distances.

 

Did we miss any tried-and-true advice? Let us know!

Ensuring that cargo and loads are properly secured is not a difficult task, however it does take a bit of time to develop proper tie-down skills. This is time very well spent, so you don’t lose items or ruin your day – or someone else’s. There are all sorts of tips and tricks online, but if you want a good place to start learning about properly securing a payload, check out FMCSA!