The Essential Tips for Transporting Cargo Safely with Your Flatbed Truck
Here at Truck Defender Bumpers, we’re all about creating a better and safer experience for hard-working truck owners. This is true for all the products we offer, including our add-on flatbeds. Our flatbeds are perfect for transporting large items that otherwise wouldn’t fit in your pickup’s bed or on a trailer. Not to mention, they’re easier to load. But as always, you want to put safety first, and since flatbeds pose unique challenges to drivers, we’ve provided some tips for staying safe out on the road. After you’ve read through them, contact us at our location and let us know if you’re interested in purchasing one of our products. We’ll happily ship right to your door, no matter where you are in North America.
Understanding Weight Limitations
Let’s start with some basic tips. All trucks have a weight limitation when it comes to how many additional features they can handle, as well as the weight of the cargo. Overloading your truck can not only be a safety hazard, there can be legal repercussions if you’re pulled over with an overloaded vehicle.
You’ll need to know your truck’s GVWR, or gross vehicle weight rating. This will tell you the total amount of weight your entire towing unit can’t exceed when you take it to a weigh station, including:
- The truck itself
- Towed units (like a trailer)
- Cargo
- Add-on parts
- Fuel
- Passengers
This will not only help you choose the right flatbed, but also know how much cargo your vehicle can handle.
Loading and Securing Cargo
With an open flatbed, one of the biggest concerns is making sure you’re loading and securing your cargo in such a way that it doesn’t fall off the truck mid transit. That’s why there are a lot of different ways you can stay safe while loading and transporting cargo.
Create a Safe Loading Space
Make sure you have the appropriate amount of space needed to load your cargo and avoid dangerous situations for you and your team. This means understanding which areas around each individual load will pose a higher risk. For example, if the load falls off, make sure no one is standing in a spot where they could be hurt.
Assemble a Team
Whether they’re a team you’ve worked with a hundred times, or people you’ve instructed to help you with a load, getting a team together can make for a safer and more efficient loading process. Just make sure they understand the expectations and how everyone should communicate.
Plan Accordingly for Each Load, Including Irregularly Shaped Cargo
Every load will present unique problems. Some cargo you’ll be able to load by hand, others may require a forklift, and others still may even require a crane or larger machine. Assess the cargo you’ll be loading and create an appropriate plan to get it on the flatbed safely.
Reduce Slip and Trip Hazards
Never underestimate the danger of simply tripping around a flatbed. An uneven loading surface or slippery one can create a hazard for your team, so make sure everyone’s wearing the right shoes for the job and be careful when walking on the flatbed and climbing on and off it.
Properly Securing a Load
Every load should be secured with the right tie-downs, tarps, and/or bungee cords. Exactly what you need will likely change depending on the load. Just as importantly, all of these security measures need to be checked and inspected before heading out to reduce the risk of tie-down failure on the road.
With the right plan and the right team, getting your flatbed truck ready for the next haul can be a breeze, without putting anyone in danger at any stage of the job. But first, you’ll need that flatbed. If you’ve got the truck and just need it modified, contact Truck Defender Bumpers about our premier flatbed add-on, custom made for your truck out of the most durable aluminum. You can call about getting yours shipped to your door, no matter where you are in North America, or you can even check out our homebase in Vale, South Dakota!