Loading and Securing Cargo in a Van Trailer
It's no secret that life on the road can be stressful. Given delays, weather, traffic, road conditions, safety, and more, there is much that is out of our control. As you focus on driving, one extra thing you do not want to have to worry about is the state of the cargo in your van trailer. Properly loading and securing cargo - or monitoring the person who does it - is a critical component of truck driving that can help ensure the safety of you as the driver, of other motorists on the road, and of the cargo you’re pulling that gets you paid.
As driver, you are responsible for managing the loading of freight into your trailer and for ensuring that it is properly secured at all times.
Why Cargo Securement Matters
Improperly secured cargo poses a huge safety risk. In the event of sudden deceleration due to varying traffic conditions, or a crash, items can break loose and even puncture the thin walls of a dry van. This could cause the cargo to injure or kill you or others. Sharp turns can also create havoc with improperly secured cargo. The fact that van trailers have walls and the cargo is enclosed in those walls does not mean that the cargo is safe. The walls are built to protect freight from outside elements, rather than hold or actually secure freight on the inside.
Improperly secured cargo can also pose a huge financial risk to the driver, shipper and receiver, if the cargo is rendered worthless due to the condition upon arrival. This could mean that the cargo, and then payment, get refused. It could also mean that third party insurance rates increase.
Therefore, it is important that your cargo is secured to the point where it cannot move at all - both for the security of you, and others, as well as the condition of the items you're hauling.
FMCSA Regulations for Cargo Securement
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines what is required by law as it relates to Cargo Securement. Every driver pulling a dry van should take the time to become familiar with these rules to minimize the safety risk to ourselves, other motorists, and the cargo we're carrying.
Before we get into the actual rules, let's look at a few definitions of the system and devices we're referring to.
The Securement System refers to a group of individual parts that work together to secure cargo in the trailer. Common parts include:
- Floors
- Walls
- Decks
- Tie-down anchor points
- Headboards
- Bulkheads
- Stakes
- Posts
- Anchor points
As the driver, you're at liberty to select the combination of parts that work best for your load(s) based on the type,. size, and shape of the cargo.
Securing device refers to the individual devices that hold items in place. They commonly include:
- Synthetic webbing
- Chain
- Wire rope
- Manila rope
- Synthetic rope
- Steel strapping
- Clamps and latches
- Blocking
- Front-end structure
- Grab hooks
- Binders
- Shackles
- Winches
- Stake pockets
- D-rings
- Webbing ratchet
- Bracing
- Friction mat
The two FMCSA Cargo Securement Rules that apply to specifically dry van trailers are:
- Articles of cargo that are likely to roll must be secured with chocks, wedges, a cradle, or other means to prevent movement either by placing them in direct contact with each other or prevented from shifting toward each other while in transit.
- Cargo must be firmly immobilized or secured within a vehicle by structures with adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tie downs or a combination of these (see list above).
A tie-down is a combination of securing devices that attaches cargo to your trailer via anchor points. Here is a reminder of the rules for tie downs, specifically:
- One tie-down for items less than or equal to five feet long and under 500 kilograms in weight
- Two tie-downs for items that are less than five feet long and over 500 kilograms in weight, and articles between five and 10 feet (regardless of weight)
- Extra tie-downs are needed from there for items over 10 feet in length (1 extra tie-down for every 10 added feet).
There are minimum working load limits for securement devices and systems. The rule states:
"The aggregate working load limit of any securement system used to secure an article or group of articles against movement must be at least one-half the weight of the article or group of articles. The aggregate working load limit is the sum of: One-half the working load limit of each tie-down that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an attachment point on an article of cargo; and The working load limit for each tie-down that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over or around the cargo and then attaches to another anchor point on the vehicle."
It may be hard to remember exactly how many devices must be used. You can always refer back to the FMCSA Cargo Securement Rules for quick reference.
Tips for securing dry van cargo
Here is a list of things to do and check in order to ensure your cargo is properly secured -
- Prior to loading, always inspect the inside of your trailer and remove any debris and loose objects. If you haul parts in racks check the trailer ceiling for punctures and have any repairs made before reloading the trailer.
- Be prepared for any type of freight you are likely to haul by having several locking load bars, adequate load straps that can lock securely into rails and are adjustable, and carry chocks to use for heavy rolls like paper.
- When you're picking up a load, always know the weight and dimensions of it. This will help guide how it gets secured. The heaviest freight should always go on the bottom of the load to ensure a low center of gravity that will not affect handling issues.
- If you're pulling a part load, spread it evenly across the axles for proper weight distribution to prevent handling problems.
- Use dunnage bags between stacks of palletized cargo to keep them from shifting. Place void filler material in spaces between stacks and trailer walls for protection and safety.
- Carry enough friction mats to prevent containers from moving on the floor. Also secure containers with adjustable straps for added security.
- Ensure you only use restraints that are made to handle the weight you are carrying. Anything less is dangerous and unlawful.
- Always use more securement than just what's necessary, in order to be safe and protect the motoring public.
Regulations state a carrier and its driver must make sure that cargo doesn't leak, spill, blow or fall from the vehicle. Cargo must be secured to prevent shifting within the vehicle. The truck and trailer's stability or maneuverability must not be adversely affected by insecure cargo.
Securing Above and Beyond
There is no value in simply taking a chance. As we know, being a truck driver is challenging and stressful enough, and the last thing you want to do is add to that. It's incredibly important to stay proactive and prepared to minimize safety and cargo risks. This includes the times when you arrive somewhere to pick up a load, and find that the person assisting you is not experienced or familiar with these best practices. Again, as the driver, you are responsible for overseeing the load process to ensure that everything is properly secured, for your own safety, that of others, as well as the condition of the cargo you are hauling.
Always be sure you're not only securing each and every item properly, but take the time to go above and beyond the basic requirements to over secure it. It's common in trucking for things to change on a whim, which makes it that much more important to be prepared for any type of situation.
The most common violations that truck drivers fall victim to as it relates to properly securing loads, per the CVSA Level I - Physical Inspection, include:
- Not having a sufficient number of tie-downs
- Using of damaged tie-downs
- Using loose tie-downs
This tells us that it's always a good idea to carry more tie-downs than you think are needed, and always ensuring you're using an extra tie-down than what's required by law for good measure.
You'll then be able to roll on safely and securely with a calm state of mind.
Other relevant articles:
Cargo Theft and How to Prevent It