Fuel for Thought
Freight Securement
We have run into a lot of drivers that are under equiped for securing freight. It makes me very frustrated to be honest with you. It is not the fact that the customers freight could be damaged, but the fact that they could lose their life in an accident, and it could easily be prevented. We are finding more and more people out here that don't have E-Track, or the proper strapping equipment. Also another thing is a lot of people don't have the proper straps to do the job. A 1 inch strap is not going to hold a 2000 pound skid safely. Some people say, "Well it is only going 100 miles, I don't need to strap it." What if in that hundred miles you get into an accident and flip your van. That freight is then on the roof, and who knows what pieces or parts of it may have flow throughout the cargo area. What about if you have to panic stop and the freight flys forwards and hits you in the back of your head? Isn't 5 minutes worth of strapping important enough to save your life? Its like putting a seat belt on your freight.
Another thing is a lot of people do not know how to properly strap a load. There are sometimes vital pieces that can not be crushed or touched. An example would be engines. They can not be strapped in certain locations, and we have heard of peolple having to file freight claims because the improperly securement. If you are ever unsure of how to secure something, ask the shipper where it is ok to stap that specific load. Nick's take on things is that you can never use enough straps. He would strap an envelope to the floor, and we have. We also carry moving pads, and specialized strapping equipment. The plastic corner protectors that flat bedders use work great when securing a cardboard box so you do not damage or crush the box. We carry little pads to put underneath them if it is on a painted or delicate surface as to not chafe them.
We have 16 and 20 foot straps currently, and we have used them all at the same time. We are also going to be ordering some 30 footers since if we have three skids that are taller than 48 we can not strap all three at the same time and have to do them individually losing precious inches of space. We also have two Save-a-Load load bars that we absolutely love.
If you have any questions about E-track or stapping techniques please ask Nick or myself. It could save your life!
Jenny Marcu
Leased to Load1
2006 Sprinter