How to Load a Transport Flatbed Trailer

Some flatbeds carry a forklift for loading.

Flatbed trailers are used to carry items that don't fit inside the confined space of an enclosed trailer. Construction equipment, large machine parts, building supplies, landscaping supplies and cars are all often carried by flatbed. Since a flatbed has no walls, loading and securing it properly is essential to ensuring that items do not shift or fall off in transit. This could potentially be deadly to anyone on the road with the trailer. Loading one properly is simple but takes time.

Things You'll Need

• Forklift
• Crane

Instructions

1. Weigh all your cargo to ensure that it does not exceed the rated maximum weight for the vehicle, for each axle or for the trailer coupling assembly.

2. Place items on the bed of the trailer by loading them onto wooden pallets and lifting them with a forklift. If the cargo is too big to load this way, you will need access to and training on a crane. To load with a crane, secure straps around the item and hitch them to the end of the crane's cable. Have one person steer the item exactly into place as another raises it, moves it and lowers it with the crane.

3. Distribute the weight of the items evenly across the bed of the truck. Too much weight towards the back end will affect the truck's ability to steer, while overloading towards the front may result in poor traction and loss of control. Loads should be centered from left to right to avoid the danger of overturning on curves, and heavier items should be placed on the bottom underneath lighter ones.

4. Cover the cargo with a tarp if it is something that might leak or be damaged by inclement weather.

5. Secure the cargo using fabric tie-downs or chains secured to the metal loops along the sides of the trailer. The combined strength of all the tie-downs on an object should equal 1.5 times the weight of the object being secured, and each object should have at least two straps or chains. Chains are tightened using chain winches with handles that ratchet to tighten the chain. Most flatbeds have built-in ratcheting fabric straps that are tightened using a wrench bar that is inserted into the ratchet and levered downwards. These straps must lie flat across the object being secured and be free of frays or damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Improperly loaded cargo is dangerous, and you may be ticketed or charged if caught driving with an improperly secured load.

References

• Michigan Driver's Manual: Transporting Cargo Safely
• Flatbed Source: How to Secure a Load