Many accidents occur every year because an improperly secured load falls off a flatbed semi trailer. In some cases, vehicles behind the trailer strike, or are struck by, objects and are damaged. Flying cargo can also damage property adjacent to the roadway. In addition, the sudden shifting of a load can cause the truck driver to lose control of the rig, resulting in a single-vehicle accident.
For these and other reasons, whether you rent a flatbed semi trailer or have your own equipment, it’s vital that you know how to immobilize any loads you haul.
A flatbed trailer’s open design makes it easy to move cargo onto or off of it. Of course, it also makes it easy for cargo to move off the trailer on its own! Consequently, you should take these steps every time you’re preparing to get on the road with a loaded trailer:
Whether it’s the cost of repairing damage to your trailer or cab, legal liability when dropped cargo causes property damage or injuries, or damage to your company’s reputation when you make the news for blocking a busy highway with debris, failing to secure a load carefully and completely can be extremely costly. The time you take to understand your cargo, your flatbed trailer and the devices you’ll use to immobilize the load is time well spent.
And, while going through 10 steps to secure cargo on a flatbed trailer may seem like a lot of work, the reality is that once you’ve gone through the process a few times, you’ll find that you can complete it more quickly and efficiently each time. Seasoned truck drivers become skilled at quickly detecting potential problems before they occur and taking action to address them.
They also develop a keen sense for when something’s “not right” with a load while they’re on the road and a willingness to stop and make modifications as needed. But it all starts with understanding the fundamentals of securing loads and never assuming that a trip will go smoothly.
Protecting the load you’re hauling requires having a smart strategy for securing it, but it also requires a flatbed trailer that’s in great working condition. At Boxwheel, we understand that, and we only rent or lease top-quality equipment that has been meticulously maintained.
To learn more about our inventory of flatbed trailers, as well as our dry van trailers, liftgate trailers and refrigerated trailers for rent or lease, please contact us at your convenience.
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