How to move large items in your pickup truck bed.
Empowerment, single-handedly, is one of the best feelings when it comes to being an owner of a pickup truck. However just as a wise old man once said, with power comes responsibility and as a driver you’re responsible for your cargo. In this post you will find out more when it comes to securely loading your cargo to your pickup truck. First things first, not all cargo is created equal. Cargo comes in different shapes, sizes and lengths and there’s even cargo that’s illegal for you to carry in the back of your truck without specialized permits, like work related equipment for example. So it’s best to acquire professional help when it comes to transporting those kinds of cargo, or you’ll face a fight.
When it comes to transporting cargo in your truck’s bed, you’re going to need straps. There are many different kinds in the market and a good mix is recommended. Depending on the type of cargo that you need to transport. For heavier and bulky items it’s good to go with a firm ratchet strap. For light items a bungee cord would do the trick in combination with the ratchet strap. For items that are smaller and lighter in weight, it would be recommended to use the net, so that they don’t get caught in the wind and fly off, this can be used in tandem with the ratchet strap and the bungee cords. Now that you have the straps, go ahead and securely tie down the cargo in the truck bed.
If you’ve got a good mix of different things to load up, it is recommended to start with the bigger heavier items first. Firstly you need to minimize movement when it comes to big items, so you can put the heavier items along the walls of the truck bed. If there’s more than one item that you need to transport, place them side-by-side to one another to fill out the width of the truck bed. You’ll find anchor points in all four corners that will come in handy when securing your cargo. Next, secure the ratchet straps to those anchor points of the truck bed and bring it across and over your cargo, then attach the other end of the strap to the opposite anchor point and tighten firmly. If the items are in a cardboard box and the webbing is eating into the sides, that’s a sign that it may be too tightened. For extra security, you may use bungee cords to secure the heavy items to each other to further minimize motion. For smaller items, you can lay them out into the free spaces available and you can secure them together with bungee cords, to keep them from knocking into each other. As a finishing touch, go ahead put on the net just to be extra careful. Now it’s all locked in and ready to roll.
A general rule when transporting cargo, is that the cargo carrying should not exceed the dimensions of your truck bed in terms of length or height, as this will not only be dangerous to the cargo you’re carrying, but also to those driving around you. Taller items carried in the back can also hinder your line of sight through the rear window. When it comes to transporting anything bigger than the dimensions of your truck bet, you should always get professional assistance. You certainly cannot ferry passengers in your truck bed, because it’s illegal and extremely dangerous. Also, it’s good to keep in mind when transporting cargo associated with work, such as company items, food or equipment, you’re going to need a special license or you could be fined if caught by the authorities. Transporting bicycles is fine, as long as they are properly secured using the right equipment. The same way you would transport any other cargo, there is specialized equipment to transport bicycles on a truck, so do your research and find out what’s best for you.