Big Rig Load Requirements
While big rigs mostly look pretty uniform, they can carry various items. Each truck has its own unique system for loading and unloading freight, storing it while en route to its final destination, organizing it, and any other special considerations necessary, such as refrigeration. When a business contracts with a truck driving company to have goods delivered, it wants these goods delivered in the same exact condition they were in when they were received by the truck driver initially. Therefore, the trucking industry follows various procedures for securing loads to protect the cargo.
Securing Loads Can Save Lives
However, there is another crucial reason for securing cargo. Improperly secured loads can be dangerous to other drivers on the road. Flatbed trucks with open-air tractors often rely on bungee cords, ropes, cables, and ties to secure loose items, while regular 18-wheelers have enclosed tractor-trailers. However, both types of trucks risk injuring other drivers during an accident or even causing the accident itself.
Improperly secured loads may occur when:
- Loose cargo is not securely fastened to an open-air truck with adequate ties
- An 18-wheeler’s doors are not properly shut and locked, allowing loose cargo to fly out of the trailer
- The truck is overloaded
- The freight on an open-air truck is not correctly positioned, causing clearance issues for other cars, tunnels, bridges, overpasses, and more.
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