Securing Floor-Loaded Cargo in Enclosed Trailers

When you're hauling goods in an enclosed trailer, you know not every load comes perfectly palletized or shrink-wrapped. In many cases, you'll run into floor-loaded cargo. Let's break down what that means and how to secure it to avoid damage and delays.

What is Floor-Loaded Cargo?

Floor-loaded cargo refers to cargo that is loaded directly onto the floor of a trailer. This packing style is often used to maximize trailer space, especially for irregularly shaped cargo or loose goods. It uses space efficiently, but does have its challenges when it comes to keeping each piece in place during transit.

Benefits of Floor-Loaded Cargo

There are several benefits of floor-loaded cargo:

• Maximized Trailer Space: Without pallets, more product fits into the trailer, reducing shipping costs per unit.
• Versatility: Floor loading can accommodate a wider range of cargo sizes & shapes than palletizing.
• Lower Costs: Floor loading eliminates the need to purchase or return pallets or crates

Challenges of Floor-Loaded Cargo

However, floor-loaded cargo does have its own set of challenges that need to be considered:

• Increased Damage Risk: Floor-loaded items shift easily and lead to damage if not secured properly.
• Longer Loading & Unloading Times: Floor loading is much more manual than palletized loading and can require more manpower.
• Harder to Secure: A lack of uniformity makes strapping down cargo more complex.

While floor-loaded cargo is complex to handle, it is necessary in certain situations, either to maximize trailer space or due to the type of cargo you're hauling. That's why it's crucial to understand how to secure it properly to minimize damage.

Best Practices for Securing Floor-Loaded Cargo

Unlike palletized cargo, which is easily strapped down to the trailer floor or wall, floor-loaded cargo needs a more strategic and thoughtful tie-down approach. Here are our top tips and tools for ensuring a safe haul:

E-Track Systems

Just like with palletized loads, an E-track system is a powerful tool when securing floor-loaded cargo. Strategically placed E-track creates multiple tiedown points that, when paired with the appropriate straps, create flexibility to secure cargo of any shape or size at any location in your trailer.

Vertical E-track along your trailer walls helps keep tall items from shifting sideways, or can be used in tandem with shoring beams to create barriers for loose items.

With floor-loaded cargo, you'll likely need to use more tie-down straps than with palletized loads. If you're worried about cargo shifting, add an extra tie-down strap to keep your cargo extra secure.

US Cargo Control stocks a wide selection of E-track rails, straps, accessories, and even E-track system kits to get your securement system started.

Shoring Beams & Cargo Bars

Shoring beams and/or cargo bars are must-have tools for blocking and bracing cargo. Shoring beams are ideal to use with E-track systems, while cargo bars are adjustable and pressure-mounted between trailer walls where no E-track exists. Whichever you choose, use these bars as movable barriers to create sections or zones of cargo, prevent forward or backward shifting, or prevent stacked freight from collapsing.

Cargo Nets for Loose Items

Cargo nets are crucial for floor-loaded items, both for loss prevention and personnel safety.

For odd-shaped or loosely packed items, cargo nets offer a quick way to contain a large amount of cargo. They are especially useful for irregular or mixed freight.

You can also place a cargo net at the door of your trailer to prevent loose cargo from falling on the driver when they open the trailer doors.

Dunnage Bags 

If you have extra space or gaps between your floor-load cargo, fill them with dunnage bags to reduce movement inside voids. These inflatable bags fill space and prevent cargo from moving.

More Tips for Secure Transport

Some other tactics for securely transporting floor-loaded cargo:

• When stacking cargo, ensure heavier, stronger cargo is on the bottom and lighter cargo is on top.
• Remember to distribute the weight of the load evenly across the trailer axle to avoid swaying.
• Inspect your cargo regularly throughout your haul and readjust as needed.

Why Proper Securement Matters

Proper securement for floor-loaded cargo should be taken seriously to avoid dangerous load shifting, damaged cargo, DOT violations, and injury to personnel during unloading. 

At US Cargo Control, we provide the tools professionals need to secure even the trickiest loads, including E-track, shoring beams and cargo bars, cargo nets, dunnage bags, and more. With our team of industry experts and fast shipping, we'll help you get the job done safely and efficiently.

Need help designing your enclosed trailer setup? Contact our product experts by calling 866-444-9990 or emailing customerservice@uscargocontrol.com. No matter what you're hauling, we've got the gear to lock it down right.