Loading trailers safely is crucial to prevent accidents, ensure safe transport, and protect workers.
Proper techniques must be followed to distribute weight, secure loads, and inspect the trailer before and after loading.
Before loading up and pulling out with a trailer in tow, it’s essential to perform an all-around inspection of the trailer you will be using. During the pre-load inspection, check for any damage to the trailer bed.
Make sure the floor is clean and dry to prevent slips and falls while loading the trailer. Confirm the tires are in good condition and set to the correct pressure. Ensure the brakes and lights are functioning correctly. Confirm the safety chains are hooked up to the hitch and crossed over each other.
Always confirm that the equipment used to connect the trailer to the tow vehicle is properly fitted, secured, and adjusted. The hitch, tow vehicle and ball must have a rated towing capacity equal to or greater than the weight of the trailer and the cargo combined.
Before loading a trailer, first start by planning how the load will be arranged. Consider the weight of each item and its placement in the trailer. Even weight distribution is going to be essential to maintain stability during transport.
Plan to place heavier items on the bottom and towards the front of the trailer. This will help to lower the center of gravity, which enhances stability and reduces the risk of the trailer tipping over.
It’s important to think ahead before starting to load the trailer because you want to avoid placing too much weight on one side to prevent unbalanced loads that can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Do what you can to prevent injuries during the loading process, especially if there is more than one person loading and everyone is working quickly.
Use appropriate equipment and tools when loading trailers. Forklifts, pallet jacks, and dollies can help move heavy items with less physical strain.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility vests to protect against injuries.
Watch out for pinch points and avoid placing hands and feet in areas where they could be trapped by moving cargo.
Throughout the process, keep the loading area clean and free from obstacles. Clear away any trash, unnecessary items, and spills immediately to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
While loading a trailer, be mindful of the trailer's weight capacity. Make adjustments to the load if needed to stay within the safe weight limits. Never overload in such a way that exceeds the weight capacity of the trailer.
Trailers loaded incorrectly can start swaying dangerously at high speeds and can easily jackknife if the driver has to make a sudden stop. Load the trailer in a way that distributes the weight evenly and ensures that the cargo is equally balanced on each side.
The cargo should all be fully contained and supported by the flatbed trailer. If the cargo being transported by the trailer is longer than the trailer itself, or overhangs off the trailer in any way, be sure to check your state’s regulations on overhang restrictions and requirements.
All materials being transported on a trailer should be completely immobilized so there will be no horizontal or vertical movement, no shifting, and no tipping at all when the trailer is on the road. All tie-downs must be secured in such a way that will prevent them from loosening or opening during travel.
All cargo on the trailer, large and small, must be secured well enough so there is no risk of movement when the trailer is in motion. The cargo should not be able to shift during transport.
Inspect all tie-downs for wear and damage. If any restraints are frayed, defective or damaged, do not use them. All securing devices like straps, ropes, and chains must be in good condition and strong enough to hold the load. Do not use bungee cords or tarp straps as the primary method of securing the load.
Tie-downs and securing devices must not contain knots. Each tie-down must be secured in a manner that prevents it from becoming loose, unfastened, opened, or releasing while the vehicle is in transit.
Edge protection must be used whenever a tie-down would be subject to abrasion or cutting at the point of contact with the cargo.
Consider each individual item on the trailer and make sure everything is secured in such a way so that nothing will leak, spill, blow off, tear apart, tip over or fall from the trailer.
Remember, you are securing the load for sudden stops and evasive action, not just for normal driving conditions.
After the trailer is loaded, perform a final inspection.
Check that all securing devices are tight and in place and ensure the load is stable and will not shift during transport. Check that all items are secured individually if possible and consider using additional securing methods like load bars and cargo nets for added safety.
Confirm that the trailer, as well as the load, falls within the towing capacities of the vehicle.
Verify that the cargo does not cover the license plate, lights, or reflectors and it does not obstruct the driver’s view in any way. Make sure all equipment used for loading is properly stored away. For box trailers, ensure the trailer doors and locks are secure.
Ensure there is at least one spare tire available for the trailer, along with a lug nut wrench and a jack, just in case you need to change a flat tire on the side of the road.
Cargo straps can loosen during travel with the vibrations of the road, so early in the trip and regularly throughout the drive, pull over safely and check that everything continues to remain fully secured on the trailer.
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