There are several specific sub-categories within the world of flatbed trucking, and one that’s well-known is the hauling of oversized loads. Oversized cargo hauling introduces a few new challenges or concepts to the process, but the industry has several specific practices and standards that are used to ensure load safety and protection in these situations.
At Tim Savage Trucking, we’re proud to offer a wide range of flatbed hauling services, including for oversized loads of several varieties. What are the general approaches our team (or other flatbed truckers) will typically use to secure and protect your oversized load while in transit? Here’s a basic rundown.
Restraining
One of the simplest industry protocols in this area is restraining, which refers to several different methods that work in tandem to prevent unwanted movement within the trucking container. In short, loads must be secured – both quickly and efficiently – so you don’t have to worry about them shifting, tilting or bouncing around during transport.
That’s because these actions can cause damage to not only your load itself, but also increase the possibility of it damaging other loads, the truck itself and other vehicles in your vicinity.
There are a few universal techniques for load restraint that flatbed haulers use to secure oversized items, including:
- Block & Tackle: The strategy of using a heavy equipment or cargo hoist with cables suspended from two opposing corners, allowing the secured object to be lifted. When combined with other preventative measures, the overall effect is one that reduces horizontal movement.
- Bungee Cords: For lighter weight loads, this method offers several advantages. Basically, bungee cords are stretched between two points and used to either support or secure objects within the container or trailer bed. The cords can be rigged in conjunction with other equipment, such as a hoist.
- Cargo Straps: These heavy-duty nylon or polypropylene straps are anchored to the floor of the cargo area and wrapped around an object for additional support. This is often combined with a block and tackle setup for maximum security.
Heavier Loads Below
Another simple concept here is the placement of heavier load items at the bottom, which not only provides better stability by way of gravity, but also helps protect the load from damage. This is an approach our team uses on every job, regardless of the type or size of your cargo. Where there are issues with weight distribution within a given load, however, these concerns can usually be mitigated by lowering heavy objects to the bottom and lighter items near the top of the trucking container.
Proper Coverage
Finally, especially for oversized cargo loads where pieces of equipment or material may stick out above the road itself, ensuring the load is covered is crucial. Even though the load may be secure, exposed portions can still damage your truck or other vehicles on the road if they come into contact, so it’s important to keep things covered until you reach your destination. You will also be preventing exposure to various weather elements that may influence the integrity of your load.
For more on how we’ll go about protecting your oversized flatbed hauling cargo, or to learn about any of our belt trailer hauling, petroleum and hazmat hauling or any other services, speak to the staff at Tim Savage Trucking today.