No room for risk – how to secure your trailer load safely

According to §22, Paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), "the load, including devices for securing the load as well as loading equipment [...] must be stowed and secured in such a way that it cannot slip, tip over, roll around, fall down or generate avoidable noise, even during emergency braking or sudden evasive movement. Recognised technical rules must be observed." You are therefore legally obliged to secure your load against slipping and loss. For the sake of completeness, this, of course, must be done before setting off.

Proper loading is half the battle

For safety and the necessary stability while driving, correct loading is essential. Make sure that the towing vehicle and trailer are coupled together so that the trailer does not tilt sideways or jolt upwards or downwards. You should also use appropriate aids such as wheel chocks or jockey wheels, and ensure optimal load distribution with the lowest possible centre of gravity along the longitudinal central axis.

There are various safety devices, from nets and tarpaulins to so-called lashing equipment, such as lashing straps, ropes, or chains. It is essential that all securing equipment is in perfect condition. Please observe the relevant safety instructions in the user manual. If you have even the slightest doubt about any item, you should replace it or use alternatives. Anti-slip mats are also extremely helpful, significantly increasing the stability of the load. Edge protectors are useful for protecting sensitive goods or the lashing straps themselves from sharp edges.

Securing with a net and tarpaulin

If you want to cover your load almost completely, you can use a trailer net or a flat or high tarpaulin. Both the net and the flat tarpaulin are stretched fully over the side walls and are especially suitable for light or loose goods such as garden waste or sand.

For the high tarpaulin, you need a bows frame over which the tarpaulin is pulled and carefully fastened. This allows you to increase the load height considerably.

Securing with lashing equipment

The most common securing device is the lashing or tensioning strap. Here, the correct technique is critical. Important to know: depending on the model, there are different ways to lash your load securely. This depends on the position of the lashing rings or eyes, which may be found on the corner profiles, the base plate, or the inside wall of the side panels.

There are therefore two methods, or potentially a combination of both. On the one hand, you can secure your load using the tie-down lashing method. The goods are pressed as tightly as possible onto the loading surface using at least two lashing straps, so that, thanks to increased friction, they cannot slip anymore. When you connect the load and vehicle directly with a lashing device, this is referred to as direct lashing. Any braking or acceleration forces must then be absorbed by lashing straps attached on each side.

Be sure always to observe the maximum permissible load capacity of your lashing system.

However, the transport of heavy or bulky objects requires further comprehensive safety measures. Here, a suitable securing device is just as essential as a professional chassis. Pay particular attention to low total weight, a low centre of gravity, and optimal suspension, as guaranteed, for example, by the AL-KO VT hexagonal rubber suspension axle system.

For a complete all-round safety package, AL-KO VT, the specialist for commercial trailer chassis and accessories, offers a wide range of high-performance products such as the AAA Premium Brake or the newly developed coupling heads AK 161 and AK 270.