{"id":4712,"date":"2020-11-02T08:42:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T08:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/?p=4712"},"modified":"2020-11-08T23:12:52","modified_gmt":"2020-11-08T23:12:52","slug":"how-do-you-safely-carry-items-in-a-light-trailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mocktheorytest.com\/resources\/how-do-you-safely-carry-items-in-a-light-trailer\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you safely carry items in a light trailer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are three main types of trailers: flat deck, cage and box. A flat deck either doesn’t have sides or has short sides (typically less than 500mm). A cage trailer is similar to a flat deck but has cage sides often up to 2 metres. A box trailer is fully enclosed. Each trailer has its own advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flat deck trailers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without sides, they are useful for larger vehicles such as racing cars. With sides, they are good for smaller vehicles such as ride-on lawnmowers, quad bikes, etc, plus general items such as building materials, sand, gravel and garden waste (with a tarpaulin or net).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cover loose items in a flat deck trailer with a net to stop them flying off<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cage trailers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cage trailers are useful for mixed loads that might include some looser items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Throw your things in a cage trailer, but make sure any loose items that could fly out are restrained with a tarp, net or straps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They are more aerodynamic than box trailers when empty. Where items don’t need weather protection, they can be slightly more convenient than box trailers as you can load them from the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Canvas covers over cage trailers stop items being damaged from weather exposure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Box trailers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Box trailers provide the best weather protection and security. The walls tend not to be very strong, so heavy loose items must be restrained effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Examples of common items and how to carry them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vehicles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use chains for vehicles such as excavators and skid steers and attach them to the designated anchor points. Attachments for these, such as buckets, should be restrained separately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chains should be attached to the designated load anchor points<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Use ratchet straps for wheeled vehicles such as cars, light utility vehicles, quad bikes and ride-on mowers. Use designated anchor points or run the straps over the wheels (if they can be tightened appropriately) or over the suspension components. Don’t trap hoses and brake lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Straps should be attached to the designated load anchor points<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wood and logs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Logs can be transported in a flat deck trailer with sides or in a cage trailer. They should be covered with a tarpaulin to avoid bark and smaller wood chips being blown off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poles should be bound together and strapped down using ratchet straps. Containing them within a cage trailer or a flat deck with a headboard is the best option. Tie them in groups of 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filleted timber can be choked and strapped down. If it’s in packets and shrinkwrapped, use ratchet straps, but be careful not to damage the edges. Use edge protection to spread the load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note that the strap is wrapped around the timber (choked) to help prevent individual timber items from sliding forwards or backwards <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Garden waste and plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A cage trailer is good for garden waste. Tie or strap it down and cover it with a tarpaulin to stop leaves and loose twigs blowing off in transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It transporting plants, a box trailer is the best option. If transporting them in a cage or flat deck trailer, lay them down, pot end forwards and cover them with a wet blanket to protect them from the sun and wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large flat objects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mattresses and large sheets of wood need to be secured with at least two straps. Wood may need to have dunnage underneath or on top to increase the tie-down angle so that it doesn’t slip out of the straps. You can strap lengthways as well as across the load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crates and boxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These should ideally be transported in a box trailer. Boxes will be crushable and therefore difficult to strap down effectively without corner boards to protect the edges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crates can be put on a flat deck trailer. Use straps to secure them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miscellaneous tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smaller tools, brushes, rakes, ladders and the like should be carried in custom compartments or tied down to the deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These ladders should ideally be strapped down, not just secured with bungee cords. Bungee cords do not provide much load restraint and in a collision, these ladders could easily fly off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Objects with difficult shapes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Custom racks are the best option for objects that are difficult to pack or restrain. These include things like bikes, kayaks and large amounts of pipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Large coils of hose are best transported in a custom rack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Multiple kayaks can be loaded to a trailer in a custom rack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are three main types of trailers: flat deck, cage and box. A flat deck either doesn’t have sides or has short sides (typically less than 500mm). A cage trailer is similar to a flat deck but has cage sides…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

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