Whether you’re hauling something 5 kilometres of 50, making sure you’re securing your trailer load is one of the most important things to do before you start your car engine. And it doesn’t really matter whether you have a box trailer or flat load trailer – making sure the haul you’re transporting is safe and secure can go a long way.
From protecting your transported items to protecting other drivers on the road, a secure load will save you from stress, headaches and possibly a dent in your wallet! So how exactly do you secure your load? There’s a few ways and we’ll cover them all in this article. So read on and get that load secured!
Why do you need to secure your load?
It seems like an easy question to answer but there are still times where people throw caution to the wind and start transporting their haul without fixing it down. Here are 2 big reasons why your laid needs to be held down.
Protect your belongings
Don’t run the risk of damaging your stuff by not securing them! Making sure everything is held together tightly will save you the trouble of getting to your destination and finding that your belongings are scuffed, chipped and scratched. This point is even more important if you’re placing it on a flat top trailer – you don’t want your items flying off it!
Protect other people
Speaking of stuff flying off your trailer, by securing your trailer load down, you’re protecting other drivers and pedestrians as you transport your belongings. In fact, it’s actually illegal to not have it secured while on the road. Knock two birds with one stone by tying your load and avoid hurting others and the fines you might cop if you leave your items unsecured!
How to secure your trailer load
As we mentioned before, there are several ways to tie your load down but we’ll focus on four common methods: ropes, ratchets, tarps and nets.
Method 1 – Ropes
Ropes are probably the most common method of securing trailer loads. They work to prevent movement and prevent damage to your belongings while they’re in the trailer. Use rope to tie your items down, securing them through the d-rings or cage bars of your trailer. Also make sure you’re using good quality rope that can handle a lot of pressure such as a strong nylon single-braid rope.
Method 2 – Ratchet Tie Downs
Ratchet tie downs are fasteners with ‘tie down hardware’ that secure a load to a trailer and a ratchet which is used to tighten everything down. There are usually two-types: loop straps and two-piece straps. When buying tie downs make sure the ones you purchase are able to handle the weight of your trailer load.
Method 3 – Tarps
Tarps are a light-weight blanket-esque material used to cover the items in your trailer. Some tarps have fasteners on the corner for you to tie them to the back and front of the trailer, otherwise, you can use rope to secure the tarp along with your load. Tarps are great for wet weather transportation since they are waterproof and mildew resistant.
Method 4 – Nets
Cargo nets, like tarps, cover your entire load to prevent them from shifting during transportation. Nets will have hooks and fasteners at the end of them which you can use to tie them to d-rings or anchors on your trailer. Nets are also great to keep an eye on your belongings throughout the transportation trip from your towing vehicle.
Additional securing tips
Why stop at just those 4 methods? Here are some extra tips to help you truly secure your trailer load!
Avoid overloading
It’s a no brainer but too often do people push the limit of their trailers by overloading it. Always make sure to stick to the maximum weight limit of your trailer as specified by its manufacturer.
Load your trailer properly
By properly we mean you should place the heaviest items at the bottom and the light items on top. This will help balance your fully loaded items and give it stability. This is especially important on flat top trailers since you don’t want your heap to collapse and fall off the trailer!
Cushion your load with pads
Since your load is subject to shifting while transportation, using furniture pads is a great way to prevent scratches, chips and scuffs on your items. Your pads can be made from foam, felt or polystyrene but they all have the same purpose of protecting your items.
Secure loose items with plastic wrap
If you’re transporting drawers, closets or cupboards, it’s a good idea to wrap them in cling wrap or plastic wrap. This prevents their unwieldy doors from swinging wide open while you transport them in your trailer.
Transport your stuff securely and safely!
Now that you know how to properly secure your trailer load, you can leave your worries at home and drive with peace of mind knowing that your belongings aren’t going anywhere!
Do you want a sturdy trailer to help you move your items from point A to point B securely? A strong trailer is hard to find these days, but not at King Kong Trailers! At King Kong, our trailers can handle any kind of trailer load no matter the size or weight – they’re that strong! Contact our friendly team today to get your trailer today.