Every state has laws on the books mandating that cargo be secured to vehicles prior to transport. Federal laws to the same effect apply to commercial transport. Though the vast majority of us are not professional truck drivers, we could learn a thing or two about tying down cargo from the pros. We have the same legal responsibility to ensure cargo is secure.
If you carry cargo in a pickup truck, a utility trailer, or on the top of your vehicle, here are some things to consider:
1. The Type of Tie-Down Matters
There are different types of tie-downs including rope, bungee cords, and webbing straps. Pay close attention to commercial flatbed trucks and you’ll discover that professional truck drivers almost always tie down their cargo with either ratchet straps or chains. They don’t use ropes. Bungee cords are restricted to keeping tarps in place.
Why is this? Because the type of tie-down matters. Tie-downs need to be strong enough to handle the loads they secure. They need to be durable enough to withstand abrasion, directional forces, and a range of environmental factors.
A truck driver uses chains to secure heavy equipment because no other type of tie-down is strong enough. Ratchet straps are the preferred tie-downs for things like lumber, landscaping bricks, and tubing.
2. Working Load Limits Matter, Too
Chains, ratchet straps, and cam straps all come from the factory with a published working load limit (WLL). Without getting into too much detail, a product’s WLL is a measurement of how much force it can withstand before failing. Commercial truck drivers are required to use a set of tie-downs whose combined WLL is at least 80% of the load’s weight. Anything less would put the cargo in jeopardy of shifting during transport.
WLLs are just as important to securing noncommercial loads. For example, a person trying to secure a refrigerator in the back of a pickup truck with a single nylon bungee cord is tempting fate. A bungee cord’s WLL is insufficient for the job.
3. Downward Force Is the Key
Professional truck drivers know that downward force is the key to securing cargo that isn’t fully contained inside a trailer. Federal transportation standards mandate that tie-downs exert a downward force equal to at least 20% of the load’s weight to prevent shifting. Such calculations may be difficult for non-professionals, so the simple principle of applying as much downward force as possible is sufficient.
Incidentally, I am a big fan of cam straps – the Rollercam brand in particular. Cam straps are extremely efficient in terms of applying downward force without requiring a tremendous effort from the user. I can get a cam strap really tight without having to pull too hard.
4. Tie-Down Angles Affect Downward Force
Professional truck drivers also know that tie-down angles affect downward force. It’s a simple equation if you know physics. In a nutshell, a tie-down deployed at a gentle angle results in less downward force applied to the cargo. Deploying at a steeper angle increases the force. That’s why the professionals choose anchor points that are within close proximity of the cargo being secured. The closer the anchor point, the more severe the angle tends to be.
The law requires all of us to secure lost cargo prior to transport regardless of the vehicles we drive. Professionals show the way with every load they carry. The rest of us can learn from their examples. By mimicking what they do to keep cargo secure, we can prevent our own cargo from becoming airborne in transit.
