A Guide to Securing A Load On a Dry Van Trailer

A vital part of keeping your cargo and other vehicles safe on the road is how to secure a load in a dry can trailer properly. Unfortunately, when it comes to securing cargo, accidents have happened when the rules and proper procedures are not followed.

So, to help, our team at Mount Trailer Company has prepared a guide to show you how to secure a load safely.

What You Need

You will need to have some things to safely secure and hold down your cargo. Items includes:

• Tie-Downs
• Shoring Bars
• Dunnage Bags

It’s is very important to avoid rolling or swaying cargo. For this type of cargo, you may need:

• Chocks and-or cradles
• Wedges

Always ensure that all cargo is securely fastened and never secure a load in a moving trailer.

How Much Is Needed?

A rule of thumb is for under five feet in length and weighs less than 500 kilograms; a single tie-down should suffice. Two tie-downs will need to be utilized for cargo that is under five feet but heavier than 500 kilograms. Items that are between five and ten feet will need two tie-downs – regardless of their weight. And finally, cargo longer than 10 feet will require an additional tie-down every 10 feet.

Limiting Your Load

Any system that is securing cargo has its restrictions and limits. The load limit must be, at minimum, fifty percent of the cargo weight it is holding down. A simple way to calculate this is by dividing half of the weight for each tie-down from where it will be secured on the cargo. It is the responsibility of the dry van trailer driver to calculate the combined load limit.

Always remember that regardless of acceleration or braking, there should be zero shifting during transportation. Any movement can not only result in damage to the van and cargo but also to the driver and dockers when unloading the trailer. Shifting and improperly secured cargo can also cause a trailer’s center of gravity to change, making a rollover situation possible on a tight or fast turn.

Get Dry Van Trailers & More 

Mount Trailer Company in Portland, Oregon, carries a wide selection of new and used trailers, including dry van trailers. To learn more about our in-stock inventory, parts, and repair shop, please contact our team today.