I have had the pleasure of driving down more than one highway featuring shoulders littered with all sorts of objects that were previously being carried by pickup trucks, sedans, and commercial tractor trailers. All these objects had one thing in common: they were not tightly secured in place.
Every state has laws on the books requiring drivers to secure cargo before hitting the road. The laws do not apply just to commercial truck drivers. Every driver on the road is required to make sure nothing can break loose and fly off during transit. The law applies to cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.
Commercial drivers don’t need any advice about how to secure cargo. They are trained to do it as part of their jobs. But for the rest of us, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. So below are my tips for not losing your load in the middle of the highway. If you find them helpful, I have done my job.
1. Tie Everything Down
The first and most important tip is to tie everything down. Please. Have mercy on the rest of us. It doesn’t matter that you’re not going very far. Your promise to keep it under 100 mph isn’t all that comforting, either. A lot can go wrong at highway speeds. Any cargo that is not absolutely secure could become airborne.
I prefer using Rollercam cam straps as my tie-downs. You might prefer another brand. You might also prefer ratchet straps, rope, or even bungee cords. What you use for tie-downs is less important than actually tying everything down. Do not cut corners here. Do the job right.
2. Pay Attention to the Wind
Moving air creates a problem whenever you are carrying cargo that isn’t contained inside a vehicle. So even on still days, air resistance at highway speeds can be problematic. Wind only makes things worse. So here’s the next tip: pay attention to the wind before and while you are driving.
If it’s a gusty day, keep your speed down. Wind gusts only exacerbate the problem of moving air at highway speeds. A strong gust can rip an improperly secured load ride off the top of your sedan or out of the back of your pickup.
3. Be on the Lookout for Hazards
Wind and moving air are your biggest enemies at highway speeds. But there are other things that constitute hazards capable of jarring things loose and sending them flying. Be on the lookout for such hazards. A good example is the pesky pothole.
We all know potholes can do a number on a car. Potholes can knock a car out of alignment or ruin its suspension. Guess what? Even small potholes can cause enough shock force to jar a secured load loose. Hit a pothole just the right way and you could either lose one or two items or end up with a load that shifts significantly to one side or the other.
4. Check Your Load From Time to Time
If you happen to be driving further than fifty miles, do what truckers do: stop every now and again and check your load to make sure it is still secure. Stopping and checking might even be a smart move on a 10-mile trip depending on weather and road conditions.
It’s easier than you might think to lose a load at highway speeds. If you are transporting cargo that is not contained by four walls and a roof, do the rest of us a favor and be careful. Secure your load and keep it that way.
