Cargo securing for trailers and flatbeds
Trailers and flatbeds are cargo carriers that are used by private individuals and businesses, and include everything from small trailers to cargo carriers of up to 3.5 tonnes. Trailers are mostly used for transporting building materials and waste, while flatbeds are more often used for transporting smaller work machines and lighter vehicles.
Trailers and flatbeds are open cargo carriers, so it is very important that the transported goods are secured reliably so that they cannot fall or fly off, or otherwise cause danger to other road users. It is always the driver’s responsibility to ensure that goods are correctly secured.
Methods and products for securing cargo on trailers and flatbeds
The most widely used method for securing loads on trailers and flatbeds is lashing, usually by top-over lashing and/or loop lashing. Cambuckle lashings and lashings 25-35 mm are used when bundling and securing goods on trailers. Cargo nets are placed on the trailer after the goods have been secured.
When you need to secure machines and heavier goods on flatbeds, lashings 35-50 mm are recommended. When transporting vehicles on a flatbed or other open cargo carrier, special wheel lashings are used.
Knowhow in Cargo securing
For more information about cargo securing, choosing correct equipment and product labeling, we refer to the section Cargo securing – Knowhow as well as to our “Guideline to Cargo Securing”.
Recommended product groups for cargo securing on trailers and flatbeds:
Cambuckle lashings
Lashings 25mm
Cargo net
Wheel lashings
Lashing points
Lashings 35mm
Tips for cargo securing on trailers and flatbeds
• Always check which cargo securing options are available on your trailer or flatbed. This can vary greatly between different manufacturers and models.
• If possible, bundle goods (i.e with cambuckle lashings) before you load them on a trailer or flatbed and ensure that loose items cannot fly away. It is much easier to secure well-organized goods.
• Endless lashings, i.e. a lashing that runs from the tensioner and back through the tensioner, are very convenient as they do not need any lashing points and are therefore also useful for bundling goods together. Endless lashings can also be attached to lashing points.
• Cargo nets prevent lightweight cargo from flying away during transport. It is important that the cargo net covers the entire load and is attached to the trailer after the load is properly secured.
• Make sure you have more lashing straps on hand than you currently need. If you think you need two, make sure you have four!
Before securing the load:
Always ensure which possibilities for cargo securing incl. lashing points the trailer or flatbed provide.
With a cargo net you can prevent lightweight cargo from flying away during transport
