In the world of freight transport, proper stowage is essential to ensure safety on the roads. But before we dive into stowage techniques, it is crucial to understand the different types of trucks and their technical characteristics. In this post, we'll explore the most common trucks and what you should know about them.
Trucks with tarpaulin systems are a popular choice for transporting goods. If the trailer is approved under EN 12642, stowage can be achieved by containment, without the need for additional lashing. Otherwise, it is essential to secure the cargo with lashing and blocking to prevent dangerous movements during transport.
The platforms are semi-trailers without tarpaulin, which facilitates side loading and reduces loading times. However, exposure of cargo to inclement weather and wind is a concern. In these cases, it is essential to employ securing and blocking techniques, as well as protective measures to prevent damage to cargo and third parties.
This type of platform is equipped with posts or posts that provide a partial blocking of the load. Make sure that these posts are approved under EUMOS 40511 standard to be considered valid for load immobilization. Sometimes it is also necessary to protect the cargo with protective nets or netting.
Platform with low sides: partial protection and caution
Low-sided platforms have small hinged side doors that provide partial load protection. However, these doors are not generally considered to be approved blocking or restraint devices. It is therefore necessary to secure the cargo with approved techniques and, if necessary, to protect it from damage during transit.
Temperature controlled trucks are ideal for transporting goods under controlled hot or cold conditions. Since their internal structure lacks lashing points, locking or lashing devices placed on the side profiles are generally used. Knowledge of these systems and other protection elements is essential for safe stowage.
Moving floors are semi-trailers with a motorized floor that allows the introduction of the load from the doors. Despite their convenience, they are often the subject of legal disputes, as most of them are not approved under the EN12642 standard. In these cases, the load must be immobilized under other regulations, as the containment capacity of the structure is often not approved.
Gondolas are platforms designed to make better use of height by lowering part of their length. They often have ramps to facilitate vehicle access and are used in special transports. These trucks usually have stronger lashing points and, sometimes, additional elements.
Tubs are mainly used to transport bulk products. The load must be covered to avoid projections during transport. If there is a risk of dangerous shifting, additional measures must be considered to ensure the safety of the load and avoid accidents.
The vans are rigid semi-trailers that are not temperature controlled. They are equipped with side profiles to place various cargo securing devices. It is important to tie down the goods properly, and in some cases, the semi-trailer must be EN12642 certified to assess the strength of the walls.
In addition to these types of trucks, there are many others, such as extendible platforms, container carriers, vehicle carriers and more. All of them have peculiarities that you should be aware of in order to apply proper stowage and comply with current regulations. Cargo safety is essential, and understanding these differences will help you keep your shipments safe on the road.
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