4 Useful Tricks for Load Packaging and Securement in Road Transportation
Most heavy transportation experts agree that even the best wrapping of cargo loads during transit cannot protect against the sudden shifting. The reason is that loads will tend to move from side to side on a trailer. Also, as a trailer travels down and up a road, the loads might move to the front or back respectively. Therefore, improper packaging and securement of cargo loads can cause significant damage to goods while compromising the safety of road users. Here are some useful tricks for load packaging and securement in road transportation.
Use Dunnage to Avert Load Shifting -- Cargo loads will tend to move sideways or back and forth as a trailer runs on a highway. Therefore, dunnage air bags, placed strategically between columns of pallets, can help prevent the movement by filling voids between cargo loads. The airbags are economical in the sense that one dunnage airbag can be used to secure a whole trailer containing homogeneous loads. Transporters benefit from reduced cost of labour since the bags can be quickly inflated during loading and easily deflated when unloading cargo. Besides, there is minimal to no damage to goods because the airbags prevent load shifting.
Nylon Strapping -- When using nylon strapping for securing loads, consider the width and thickness of the straps. The parameters will determine the tensile strength of the material for various securement applications. In interstate highways, nylon strapping can be used to secure or unitise drums on a pallet. Just attach the strapping to the floors or container's sidewalls to prevent shifting. However, caution should be taken to ensure that the buckles used for reinforcing the strapping do not come into physical contact with fragile loads such as drums. Additionally, secure vertical and horizontal straps at recommended tension. Note that nylon strappings require containers and trailers to have strap securements installed on sidewalls. Load Configuration -- Inadequate cargo building is one of the significant causes damage to cargo during transit. For example, improper double stacking of containers or pallets can damage goods. Adhere, to best practices of load distribution such that dry goods are stacked atop liquid cargo because, in case of leakage, the dry products will not be affected. Similarly, lighter goods should be loaded on top of heavier cargo.
Indenting Pallet Surfaces -- Abrupt deceleration and acceleration of vehicles during transportation of cargo using pallets can cause items to slide off pallets, especially plastic pallets that are slippery. However, choosing pallets that have patterns/threads indented or imprinted on the surface can increase friction, and thus, reduce shifting of loads.